Backup for power failure

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt

"KurtG" wrote in message ...
http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

That is quite true - the amount of biological load in a tank with live rock
is really substantial as demand for oxygen... That is why the agitation
of the water is really important to provide good gases exchange...

I am not sure if such air pump suffce - I have my tank protected by
a set of marine deep cycle type of lead acid battery, DC-AC
converter and a 3-way relay with a 120AC relay coil. All is hooked up
this way that relay coil is my AC detector: when the coil is engaged than
the relay is passing through AC wall electricity, normal mode. When there
is a power outage the relay coil disengages and closes contacts turning
the inverter (DC-AC converter) on and connects load circuit from
wall to the output from inverter. That is why I needed 3PDT relay type.

The inverter runs only limited number of the most imporant devices
including skimmer and circulation pump for acurate gases exchange.

Skimmer is running on MaxiJet 1200 (20W) and the circulation pump in
the sump is the QuietOne 3000 (40W) so my backup electricity source is
loaded with only about 60W and can deliver this much for a very long time.

Do not back up heater or lights - tank can survive no lights and temp
drop quite easily but water movement and gases exchange is critical.

"KurtG" wrote in message
...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages (which
we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt




If you happen to be home when the power goes out, there is a simple and
inexpensive fix. You can get an ac inverter that changes 12DC to 110AC. Some
of the home improvement stores like Lowe's or Home Depot carry a 300 watt
inverter for $30 or $40. You simply plug it into the cigarette lighter in
your car and run an extension cord to your tank. Then you can run alot of
your normal accessories just by plugging them into the extension cord. No
need to buy special pumps or heaters

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/eme...t/ht_aqups.htm
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...kup_power.html


"KurtG" wrote in message
...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages (which
we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage. Same thing
for UPS.....most wil power typical systems for a hour or two, provkded
no lights or heater is used.....but then they too run out of
power......Thats the big thing with any battery powered
device........Big Lots had 1500 or 2000 watt gas powered gen sets for
under $175 last year................which is more than sufficient for
any setup and that would also run lights and heater if need be. May
even run a small hot plate or coffee maker to make life a bit more
bearable or even a TV set......Harbor Freight has 2500 watt gas
powered gen sets for about $250. Most of these small gen sets run
approx 12-14 hours n a a mere couple of gal of fuel. I have a small
2500 watt Honda that runs 13 hours at 75% load.......and its only got
a 2 gal tank......Also have a LP / and gasoline fueled gen set thsat
is capable of powering the entire house just like if we were still on
utility power. IMHO if a person lives in a hurricane prone area or a
zone that is inundated with storms be it snow/ice or rains that cause
any kind of power outage, a gen set is the only real way to go. Our
whole house gen set starts automatically after a predetermined time
when power is out, and after power comes back on, the unit disconnects
from the house wire, runs and goes through a cool down period and
then shuts off, ready for the next power outage. Its fueled from a 500
gal propane tank I also use for my back yard foundry furnace, as wel
as fueling our gas grill. Push come to shove the flip of a lever will
allow it to fun on regular gasoline. During huricane Ivan it ran 3
weeks before we had power restored, and its on line quite a few times
though out any year......since we had it installed, which was about 4
months before Hurricane Ivan blew into town. The majority of folks
never worry about power until they are without then they all go to
town to try and buy that last gen set.......Gens sets are just to
handy to do without considering how little they cost and what they can
provide in return.


On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:00:21 -0500, that *other* annoying little troll
wrote:

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

"Tristan" wrote in message ...
Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage.

I suggested using an extra battery just for that purpose.
And it can be purchased everywere cheap together with simple charger.

Big Lots had 1500 or 2000 watt gas powered gen sets for
under $175 last year................which is more than sufficient for
any setup and that would also run lights and heater if need be.

Ok, but with this idea you have to deal with noise and exhaust fumes...
The option with battery charged from electricity is cleaner and quiet.

And - in most cases - the power outage is short, limited to couple of
hours, except some hurricane areas where it can last couple of days.

IMHO if a person lives in a hurricane prone area or a
zone that is inundated with storms be it snow/ice or rains that cause
any kind of power outage, a gen set is the only real way to go.

Agree... but for the rest of us, using it just as a precaution,
inverter run from a battery is just fine and very convenient.

Tristan wrote:
As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which the other
annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go to me.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.

George Patterson wrote:

Tristan wrote:

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......


And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which
the other annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go
to me.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.


Yah, but it's EXPENSIVE.

that *other* annoying little troll wrote:

Yah, but it's EXPENSIVE.

So, buy a cheaper UPS. I would put my Tunze and skimmer on the thing. Total draw
of maybe 10 watts. I think I could run that for days on a $40 UPS.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.