Power outages

[thincat]

I've had three power outages in two weeks. I have been lucky in that it has happened on cool days and one from 9pm to 3am. My bioload is quite small, but I was wondering how some of you handle these types of problems?

 

[melosu58]

A generator will work wonders for you.

 

[exodon king]

You can get battery operated air pumps at most LFS. Fishing supply stores, and even places like WalMart. They're relatively inexpensive, and work great in a pinch.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Xantrex PowerSource 400 for short 1-2 hour outages. Good enough to run low wattage pumps/powerheads for a while... can run heaters too as long as they aren't on long or too high of wattage.

Generator for the longer outages.

 

[thincat]

Let's hope that the third time is the charm. I think it's a faulty line transformer and it keeps tripping the whole subdivision. I Know, I know, I know....Where's the Tang police when you want them..

 

[thesixis]

a small generator will be fine. I have a 5Kw, it runs the whole house.

 

[InfernoST]

You can also use a couple of marine deep cycle batteries connected to an inverter which would give you a couple hours of power (a lot of people in my neck of the woods use this method because they live in apartment bldgs) or of course a generator, Honda makes some really good ones that are quiet. Don't forget to call your utility and file a complaint, I don't know how it works in your area but in NY if a power outage causes any losses the Utility is liable.

 

[thincat]

Good information, Thanks everyone...

 

[divedeep1689]

i use a generator also but the batteries are a great idea as well....

 

[exodon king]

I have a couple of generators as well, but the problem with generators is that they aren't always in everyones budget. Generators can get pretty expensive. This is why I usually suggest battery powered aerators. They're cheap, and will give you a few hour power on a pair of AA batteries (which most people already have set aside for emergency situations)
Also, I use the battery aerators for transporting fish. If I have to drive across the state to pick up a new fish, a cooler full of water and an aerator make for an easy, worry free transport.
Gotta love milti-taskers.

But if it is within your means (financially), a generator is a great investment.

 

[CaptainAhab]

You can get battery operated air pumps at most LFS. Fishing supply stores, and even places like WalMart. They're relatively inexpensive, and work great in a pinch.

Air pumps aren't a piece of equipment normally used in the saltwater hobby. Even if they were, they would be at the bottom of the food chain to get restarted.

Water pumps on the other hand.....

 

[thincat]

Thanks for thqt information.

 

[CaptainAhab]

your welcome

 

[Aquarium1]

If you have 1300 dollars to spend PM recommends this:
Generac Power Systems XG8000E Generator Review - Home Generator Review - Popular Mechanics
"Given that the machine can produce a hefty 8000 watts (up to 10,000 for brief surges), you'll have more than enough power to run a well pump, a full-size fridge, a fan, lights, a microwave and a space heater"

 

[thincat]

Well, you won't believe this but I had another power outage of ~2 hours. This time I was ready with a UPS that kept my tank running for a portion of that time anyway.

 

[Aquarium1]

Thats good. We have a local transformer that has gone out this year and last year around the same time. I HATE outages. lol

 

[exodon king]

Air pumps aren't a piece of equipment normally used in the saltwater hobby. Even if they were, they would be at the bottom of the food chain to get restarted.

Water pumps on the other hand.....

i didnt even realize this was in the SW section till you said something.

 

[CaptainAhab]

i didnt even realize this was in the SW section till you said something.

Was my guess too

 

[fishmonkey]

my dad and I made a solar thing that charges a battery that will turn on if the electricity goes out.

 

[thincat]

That's cool. I'll have to look into that.