View Full Version : What have you done to prepare for a power failure?
Blossom112
03-04-2008, 1:28 AM
Just woundering ,and looking for ideas,on what everyone does in case of power failure?
nycsicktank
03-04-2008, 3:05 AM
i got this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+8120&pcatid=8120
and this (really loud!)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+3693&pcatid=3693
Subliminal
03-04-2008, 7:01 AM
From what I understand, you can get one of the computer APC battery backup systems and just hook your heater and one of your pumps up to it. They're only like $30-$40 and should run for at least a few hours.
Me, I just make sure when the pumps go off, nothing overflows, and I have an air hose near by...and good lungs. ;)
clown-lover
03-04-2008, 7:16 AM
Fortunately I work for a place that has several small Honda generators that I use when I am out splicing fiber optic cable in the middle of no where. I get to keep on in my garage at all times unless I'm going out of town. I have thought about a UPS but I want something that will sustain at least 1 heater up here in the GWN along with at least my return from the sump as well, and with outages lasting several hours to a full day around here... It is near the top of my new ordering list however.
I've reminded my parents that they love me and cross my fingers they'll loan me their smaller Honda generator in need. :lipssealedsmilie:
Blossom112
03-04-2008, 8:19 AM
You are all funny lol.
HOW MUCH IS A HONDA generator?
think we will look into the apc backup,lol maybe a few .
Going tonight to get a huge rubbermaid tub ,to catch the overflow lol
With my luch it will happen when im out lol
Amphiprion
03-04-2008, 8:34 AM
During the recent hurricanes, I used a handful of battery-operated air pumps. Seeing as how it was already warm, etc. during the summer, I had to worry about keeping it cool. It worked though and I had zero losses, even after a week without power.
I use an APC battery (1400w) as well as have a backup generator in the garage. Only had to start up the generator once to save fish tanks.
When your initially setting up your tank though I would pull the power at least 10x and watch carefully to see how everything works. Repair as needed. There is always something that gets overlooked (at least in my case there was) and a flood ensues. Check and double check your overflows.. back syphon issues.. pump restarts.. things like that.
Catpicklesdog
03-04-2008, 9:39 AM
I have blankets if it's cold, bags of ice if it's hot and a piece of hose and my lungs for air! We don't get too many powercuts here and I've only ever had one powercut that lasted 24hrs and everything was fine.
Blossom112
03-04-2008, 9:40 AM
great idea we will do that tonight and see if we need to lower the sum p water .
thanks ace
Sploke
03-04-2008, 9:45 AM
60kW diesel generator :D
60kW diesel generator :D
Now your just showing off. :) You wanna come power my TOWN the next time the power goes out? LOL.
Sploke
03-04-2008, 9:55 AM
Haha....we have a horse farm, so we need to make sure we can still get water for the horses if we lose power. The fact that it backs up the fishtanks as well is just an added bonus.
mandy21
03-04-2008, 10:59 AM
here at my apartment that's temporary - I have nothing. I have yet to have a power outage last more than a few seconds (Knock on wood). At home we have our own natural gas well (own the mineral rights) and have a huge generator that runs everything in the house except the tanning bed and microwave. I think the generator cost around $5,000, free gas, free hookup since Dad's in the oilfield business and does stuff like that. When I move back to that area, I'm sure I'll have the same thing. Living in the middle of nowhere Amish land, we've had power go out for 2 weeks right around Christmas one year as well as other frequent outages.
wantvws
03-04-2008, 7:16 PM
Just woundering ,and looking for ideas,on what everyone does in case of power failure?
Keep an eye on my filter and get the mop ready:D
I have to ask, why does everyone have a hose and strong lungs? Is this for aerating the water? Sorry if it's painfully obvious!
Robbie
Mgamer20o0
03-05-2008, 2:01 AM
generator is really the only real option
Blossom112
03-05-2008, 10:03 AM
lol i was thinking the strong lungs were for yelling HELP lol
The Zigman
03-05-2008, 10:20 AM
This has ALWAYS suprised me, I have known people with $5000 worth of fish, that have lost several during a power outtage, and still refuse to spend $500 on a generator.
Personally I have a 5000 watt generator, and a 3000 power inverter in my truck..
And I only have $9 worth of fish!!!
clown-lover
03-05-2008, 11:51 PM
You are all funny lol.
HOW MUCH IS A HONDA generator?
think we will look into the apc backup,lol maybe a few .
Going tonight to get a huge rubbermaid tub ,to catch the overflow lol
With my luch it will happen when im out lol
The ones we use at work will run my whole tank including my MH lights, my refridgerator and a couple of lights in the house easily. It normally runs for about 2300 bucks new.
Blossom112
03-06-2008, 8:35 AM
Thank you all for the tips ,we will get something up here b4 we get coral or
fish .:)
vorlx
03-06-2008, 10:12 AM
During a recent ice storm I was without power for 4 days. Luckily a friend went out of town to get himself a generator and picked me up a 1100w one. It ran me like $125. It worked great.
rsw686
03-06-2008, 1:11 PM
You need to be careful if using a cheaper inverter or UPS. They output modified sine waves, which are basically square in shape. A number of motors don't like this wave form and will hum when connected. Cheap generators don't put out clean power either.
Higher end generators and sinewave inverters or UPS's are ideal. Especially if you plan to use them for an extended period.
Subliminal
03-06-2008, 1:48 PM
During a recent ice storm I was without power for 4 days. Luckily a friend went out of town to get himself a generator and picked me up a 1100w one. It ran me like $125. It worked great.
Was that when the Klingons crash landed out in the corn fields and then the Sibians blew up the grainery? ;)
rsw686
03-06-2008, 1:59 PM
Here's a page with detailed pictures from an oscilloscope showing the difference between utility power, modified sine wave, sine wave, and cheap generators. Makes you think twice about using it.
http://www.jkovach.net/projects/powerquality/
strangerdejavu
03-06-2008, 2:44 PM
I have an inverter that hooks up to car batteries and can handle up to 500w. Gives me enough time to run a heater and pump while go acquire a generator if I need to! Also comes in real handy while camping to pump the air bed and recharge the cell phone/gps/laptop!
Was that when the Klingons crash landed out in the corn fields and then the Sibians blew up the grainery? ;)
LOL! Something like that. The chances of both are about the same.
Here's a page with detailed pictures from an oscilloscope showing the difference between utility power, modified sine wave, sine wave, and cheap generators. Makes you think twice about using it.
http://www.jkovach.net/projects/powerquality/
I agree its probably not a ideal situation but it sure is a lot better than losing the tank due to a power outage. I'll be honest... I was sick at my stomach that first 18 hours. My coral beauty was near death.
I have an inverter that hooks up to car batteries and can handle up to 500w. Gives me enough time to run a heater and pump while go acquire a generator if I need to! Also comes in real handy while camping to pump the air bed and recharge the cell phone/gps/laptop!
Ironically my wife had burnt out my inverter the first day of the power outage. Don't ask. =)
Boltster
03-08-2008, 9:41 AM
I have a 5500w generator. I also have dedicated outlets from my salt tank, refrigerator, freezer and sump pump. They run to an inlet just inside the garage door. Just start it up and run 1 cord about 5 feet. If the outage lasts long then I would run an individual cord to my 44 gal freshwater tank.