power went off last night

[harleymike]

So im at work and cant do anything but waite until morning and see if everything is ok. :?
My power at home went out for 5.5 hours.
Tanks got down too 68 degrees.
Wife and son couldnt do much about it.
What can be done too protect the tanks next time.
mike

 

[yveterinarian]

For the short term you could get a Belkein (or other type) battery backup for the heater and a power head or two.  But in the long run a generator is the best way to go to be able to cover the tank for the length of time the power was out.

 

[spyd]

I am currently running 2 battery back-ups. One for my powerheads and 1 for my return pump. I know... it's a little overkill but I bought the wrong type of battery back-up the first time around. If you want one to run your return pump, make sure it is a "true" sinewave.

My UPS will keep my powerheads and return pumps going for a good 2 hours. Any longer than that, and you would be looking to connect a small generator. I bought one just in case as well... I told my wife it was to run the freezer and fridge in case of a long black out. LOL. Deep down, she knows why I actually bought it, who am I kidding?!  :

 

[hazey]

What make of battery backups are you using? (I know nothing about them?)

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

What make of battery backups are you using? (I know nothing about them?)

prolly those ones at the computer stores    That run yur computers when theres a power out

 

[spyd]

The one I picked up for my return pump is a CyberPower 1350VA Pure Sinewave UPS. You can check them all out on www.tigerdirect.ca Just type in UPS in the search. They will run you anywhere between $140 - $200 for a decent one. One side is surge protection and the other side will be surge protection + battery back-up in case the power goes out. As soon as the power goes out, it switches to battery mode immediately so your pump never turns off. This will not only keep the water flowing but prevent the hard start-ups on your return pumps. Also, they have voltage regulators built-in to prevent any power spikes from damaging your equipment. They are meant for computers, etc. but do a great job for pumps that use lower wattages, which, will maximize the length of battery usage.

 

[unibob]

For anyone wondering a higher VA rating will let whatever you have plugged in last longer on the battery.

It is more or less how long can the ups supply it's rated power (watts).

Buying a high wattage battery backup will only do you good if it has a high VA rating.

 

[hazey]

For anyone wondering a higher VA rating will let whatever you have plugged in last longer on the battery.

It is more or less how long can the ups supply it's rated power (watts).

Buying a high wattage battery backup will only do you good if it has a high VA rating.

Thanks for the info. Jerry! So one with 2000VA is good?

 

[unibob]

Oh baby yeaaaa.

 

[hazey]

The one I picked up for my return pump is a CyberPower 1350VA Pure Sinewave UPS. You can check them all out on www.tigerdirect.ca Just type in UPS in the search. They will run you anywhere between $140 - $200 for a decent one. One side is surge protection and the other side will be surge protection + battery back-up in case the power goes out. As soon as the power goes out, it switches to battery mode immediately so your pump never turns off. This will not only keep the water flowing but prevent the hard start-ups on your return pumps. Also, they have voltage regulators built-in to prevent any power spikes from damaging your equipment. They are meant for computers, etc. but do a great job for pumps that use lower wattages, which, will maximize the length of battery usage.

Have you ever had to use it and if so how long did it run your return pump for? How many watts is your return pump?

 

[spyd]

I actually just literally installed the new UPS last night on my return pump. I am leaving on holidays in a month and just wanted some additional assurance. I did have the power go out about a month ago. A transformer blew at the top of the street and my power was out for 3 hours. I did have a UPS running my powerheads... 2 x Tunze 6101's + controller. They ran for just over 2hrs before the UPS battery drained. I figure I should be able to get 2 hrs or so on my return pump.

 

[Camps23]

Spyd,
Your not running a UPS for your heater ? Arent you worried about Tank Temp ?
Im thinking about setting one up to run one of my MP10's and a heater.

 

[spyd]

I may run a heater off of one of them. The problem with heaters is that they consume a lot of watts to run. In a large system like mine, it would drain the battery very quickly. Also, by plugging a heater directly into the UPS, I then have no controller to cut it off in case it ever fails on... Mind you, it may not be an issue with 1 - 250w heater in approx. 220G of water.

 

[crazybizzle]

If ur ever around windsor i have a bunch if apc battery back ups 4 and 4 dont have the 12v batterys but u can have as many as u want for 30 bucks each

 

[Camps23]

I may run a heater off of one of them. The problem with heaters is that they consume a lot of watts to run. In a large system like mine, it would drain the battery very quickly. Also, by plugging a heater directly into the UPS, I then have no controller to cut it off in case it ever fails on... Mind you, it may not be an issue with 1 - 250w heater in approx. 220G of water.

Good points !
I have my heater setup through my controller as well.
Im deff more concerned about the thermostat in my heater going then the power being off for more than a few hours.
I plan on setting up a UPS for my MP10. Is there an advantage of running your return pump or powerhead?
I guess whichever uses less voltage ?

 

[harleymike]

wow, just woke up.
Lots of good info here. My tanks survived.
all looks good.
hmmm definatelyh have too figure something out.

 

[Duke]

wow, just woke up.
Lots of good info here. My tanks survived.
all looks good.
hmmm definatelyh have too figure something out.

thats good to hear, to keep the temps up you can float some water bottles of hot tap water in the tank in an emergency, for some aeration in a pinch just using a cup to scoop and dump some water back in the tank a few times an hour.. these both only work if your around tho, UPS or backup systems will work even if your not home which is a plus.