Power outage!
- Thread starter navyguy
- Start date
gwh57
Member
Originally Posted by NavyGuy
So my power went out today for about five minutes, and it got me thinking, what do you guys do when the power goes out? I can't have a generator cause I live in an apartment. I just don't know what I would do if the power went out for a long period of time.
For a long period of time you may be in trouble. For short periods I recommend a computer UPS. A small one is almost worthless but something $150-$200 might work for you. It should give your main pump 2-4 hours run time depending on it's size etc.
So my power went out today for about five minutes, and it got me thinking, what do you guys do when the power goes out? I can't have a generator cause I live in an apartment. I just don't know what I would do if the power went out for a long period of time.
For a long period of time you may be in trouble. For short periods I recommend a computer UPS. A small one is almost worthless but something $150-$200 might work for you. It should give your main pump 2-4 hours run time depending on it's size etc.
lovethesea
Active Member
we lost power in Jan. due to an ice storm. 
VERY cold. That was the hardest thing we had to contend with. STIRRING every hour or so. Now we bought 2 battery operated air pumps. Not great (pretty loud) but will do in a pinch.
LOST 2 fish in that ice storm
the pumps were cheaper!!!
The heat is the next hurdle for next time.
VERY cold. That was the hardest thing we had to contend with. STIRRING every hour or so. Now we bought 2 battery operated air pumps. Not great (pretty loud) but will do in a pinch. LOST 2 fish in that ice storm
The heat is the next hurdle for next time.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by NavyGuy
what do you guys do when the power goes out?
Panic and pray. I have no back up systems. fortunatly I live next to a school and am on the same grid so the chances of me enduring a prolonged power outage are pretty slim. though I do want to install a propane generator as back up sometime soon (read within ten years...)
what do you guys do when the power goes out?
Panic and pray. I have no back up systems. fortunatly I live next to a school and am on the same grid so the chances of me enduring a prolonged power outage are pretty slim. though I do want to install a propane generator as back up sometime soon (read within ten years...)
azfishgal
Active Member
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about temp as I live in the Phoenix area, but with Monsoon season aproaching it's been on the back of my mind. If I need some power I'll probably hook up to my car for the short time solution. I read an article on this very topic a few months back and they said to have a battery operated drill and then use an adapter that can stir up the water. I think the article was in the 2006 USA Marine Fish and Reef. Tried to dig it up but can't seem to find it.
gwh57
Member
Originally Posted by azfishgal
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about temp as I live in the Phoenix area, but with Monsoon season aproaching it's been on the back of my mind. If I need some power I'll probably hook up to my car for the short time solution. I read an article on this very topic a few months back and they said to have a battery operated drill and then use an adapter that can stir up the water. I think the article was in the 2006 USA Marine Fish and Reef. Tried to dig it up but can't seem to find it.
Just use your pumps and nothing else in an emerengcy. That is all you need and your battery backup will last much longer.
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about temp as I live in the Phoenix area, but with Monsoon season aproaching it's been on the back of my mind. If I need some power I'll probably hook up to my car for the short time solution. I read an article on this very topic a few months back and they said to have a battery operated drill and then use an adapter that can stir up the water. I think the article was in the 2006 USA Marine Fish and Reef. Tried to dig it up but can't seem to find it.
Just use your pumps and nothing else in an emerengcy. That is all you need and your battery backup will last much longer.
cdangel0
Member
Originally Posted by azfishgal
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about temp as I live in the Phoenix area
How hot will you're place get in August with no air conditioning?
Don't ever assume a problem is not going to affect you, just may not be in the same way it affects someone else.
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about temp as I live in the Phoenix area
How hot will you're place get in August with no air conditioning?
Don't ever assume a problem is not going to affect you, just may not be in the same way it affects someone else.
seannmelly
Active Member
a 20,000 watt generator, will run the whole house and then some
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by Cdangel0
How hot will you're place get in August with no air conditioning?
Don't ever assume a problem is not going to affect you, just may not be in the same way it affects someone else.
I was actually referring to it getting to cold, but if heat is an issue, then I'll just have to do sandwich bags with ice, it's how I've done my freshwater tank for three years when temps get to hot.
How hot will you're place get in August with no air conditioning?
Don't ever assume a problem is not going to affect you, just may not be in the same way it affects someone else.
I was actually referring to it getting to cold, but if heat is an issue, then I'll just have to do sandwich bags with ice, it's how I've done my freshwater tank for three years when temps get to hot.
seannmelly
Active Member
i dont have to worry at all the generator is wired right to the house. power goes out generator kicks on automaticly, its awsome
geridoc
Well-Known Member
I have had a generator for 11 years, through 3 outages in that time. All three times the generator produced no electricity (once, it was new, and defective; twice it failed to start, even though I run it every month). I am afraid to throw the damn thing out because that will surely produce some bad karma and a very long power outage
I did have a chance to develop emergency strategies, though. If it is cold, I wrap the tank in blankets and stir the water manually for 3-5 minutes every 30 minutes. Thankfully, I haven't had any overnight outages.