Buying a generator for the aquarium (in case we have another storm this winter)

[P-Nut]

I was thinking about buying a small generator for the aquarium. Something that can run the lights an heaters. things wont die if they spend a few days without a circulation pump (I have some battery operated air pumps).

Do you think that small 1000W would be enough for lights and heaters? http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200373135_200373135?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Generators-_-Portable%20Generators-_-162660&ci_sku=162660&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

it is not a big tank, a 40 gal breeder with 2 small heaters and only 156W T5 (polyp and mushroom only tank). I might also plug in the sump pump (500gal waterfall pump).

 

[Owen386]

I would personally focus that energy on running PH opposed to running lights.

Corals will live for days without light but with out water movement will be dead within hours!

Heater for the winter months is a must though...

 

[JohnK]

I agree, I'd focus on water movement and heat and leave it at that.




**As for generators, IIRC (vaugely) Some have outputs that are more consistent/regulated than others. Again IIRC some of the less regulated generators can damage a lot of sensitive electrical equipment.

Can anyone fill in the blanks here? What do we need to know about generators for our reef systems beyond the basic watts ratings?***

 

[P-Nut]

I would personally focus that energy on running PH opposed to running lights.

Corals will live for days without light but with out water movement will be dead within hours!

Heater for the winter months is a must though...

Yes, you are right.

I still think that the 1000W would be enough. (for a small 40 gal breeder with 2 5W power heads)

 

[Owen386]

I don`t know much about generators/electricity so don`t quote me but I would assume just add up your maximum watt outage out of whatever you wanna run, and if its under the generator you should be good. Think you would be good with a 1000 watt.

Why I`m Glad I`m on a Good Grid. (crossing finger)
Though I do have a generator in my mind when I can afford one.

 

[anthonymit]

An alternative to a generator would be an inverter hooked up to lots of deep cycle batteries. Generators are wasteful given the wattage needed for running powerheads

 

[MrX]

You don't mention where you live or in what (house, apartment, etc.). Remember, the generator needs to go outside and preferably a little away from any structures. When sizing a generator you need to know your constant load and the start-up load. The generator we bought about 6 months ago is 8000W continuous and 10000W peak. You need the peak for start-up of appliances and what have you (imagine your refrigerator kicking on, sucks up more juice at that time).

We wired ours into the main breaker panel. Power ever goes out we turn off the main, turn off all the breakers, start up the gennie, and plug in the wire attached to the breaker box (via a double-pole 30amp breaker of it's own). We flip the new breaker and the entire house has power. Given, we can't run everything, but we can keep the well pump, heat/air, refrigerator, fish stuff, etc. going. With some judicious planning we could use the stove or washer/dryer if we really needed to.

After a lot of research I went with a Generac. Great reviews and people I know own them.

In regards to the "sensitive electronics" I think you're okay if you buy a decent generator. If you buy a Job Lot special or no-name brand then good luck. If I were to run a computer or tv or anything I might run it through a UPS just to clean up the power a bit and be on the safe side.

 

[stewball]

keep this in mind. (volts x amps = watts). if you want to add something else when power goes out. not everything tells you the wattage.

 

[s_kelley]

I like what mr x did. As much as we worry about out tanks its not an issue if the entire house has consistant power via a generator when everyone else is in the dark.

 

[P-Nut]

I'm in a house. This generator will be strictly used for the aquarium, that is why I am looking at small cheap ones, and around $100 is not a bad deal.
I am in the south shore. The power is not bad, but last year we lost power for 4 days with the storm. (I didn't have the aquarium).
I lived in Pembroke for 4 years and never had a problem, not even during the big 2005 snow storm.
But I don't want to take the chance, specialty if a generator of that size costs less than $200.

 

[P-Nut]

An alternative to a generator would be an inverter hooked up to lots of deep cycle batteries. Generators are wasteful given the wattage needed for running powerheads

This is for a 40gal breeder, with two small power heads and one pump for the sump.

 

[stingythingy45]

I kept my tank phs going,100 watt heater and my fridge as well as one 60 watt bulb with my little Harbor Frieght 1200 watt generator.
This was for 3 days both during the tropical storm and the Halloween snow fall.
I just recently picked up another generator from Craigs list for $30 very much like the one you are looking into.
It needed work,but runs really well now.
I wouldn't waste $$$ on an inverter.Problem with them is always needing to start the vehicle and needing to leave the hood open(during bad weather).

 

[stingythingy45]

An inverter isn't really a waste.As for the short term power outage they work just fine.
I have a 750 watt con. and 1500 watt peak that works pretty good.
I've run my return pump(gen x mak 40),skimmer and a 300 watt heater on my 90 gallon with no issues.
You're still going to want at least 1 if not 2 battery powered Silent air type pumps.
I used on at night that I ran from my basement fish room.I ran the hose up through the floor.
These pumps are far from silent.lol
I ran the silent air at night as keeping the gennie going all night wasn't practical.
I had no loses both coral and live stock.

 

[JonsReef]

An alternative to a generator would be an inverter hooked up to lots of deep cycle batteries. Generators are wasteful given the wattage needed for running powerheads

x2 on this advice. 2 marine batteries and a power inverter will run your PH and heater if needed

 

[stingythingy45]

I agree, I'd focus on water movement and heat and leave it at that.




**As for generators, IIRC (vaugely) Some have outputs that are more consistent/regulated than others. Again IIRC some of the less regulated generators can damage a lot of sensitive electrical equipment.

Can anyone fill in the blanks here? What do we need to know about generators for our reef systems beyond the basic watts ratings?***

Basically John,

There are two significantly different technologies available in Generators.

The Conventional Generator has been around for a long time. It is basically a motor attached to an alternator. The motor is directly connected to the alternator and normally must run at 3600 rpm to produce 120 Volt 60 hertz AC power. If the RPM of the motor fluctuates so does the Hertz or cycles per second of the output.

The Inverter Generator is a relatively new invention. The Inverter Generator uses a different type of alternator from the Conventional Generator. Usually the Inverter alternator produces 3 phase AC power. This power is then converted to DC current. The DC Current is then converted (inverted) into 120 volt AC power. The resulting power is often much cleaner* than the power from a conventional generator.

I use just a plain old 2 stroke conventional and have had no issues.
I probably wouldn't hook up Vortechs on it,but it had no issues running conventional power heads.

Two deep cycle batteries and an inverter sounds good.But after you add the cost of the batteries,charger,and the inverter it's about double the $$ if not more.And if the power is out for a long time,you will need to charge those batteries some how.
Not sure how long a power head will run.But I know how long a Minkota 36 lbs. thrust trolling motor will.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks Bob, I've been looking for clarity on that for a long time. Would you say that most modern store bought generators are inverter generators, or is there something specific I should look for on the labeling? (other than "inverter")

 

[don in mass]

http://www.harborfreight.com/#

 

[Tone]

I have one of these pretty quiet...can't run a house of course but it will run a tank no prob..

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using Tapatalk 2

 

[beckbrass]

Most generators that are inexpensive are the standart type. the inverter ones are have been substantialy more, at least the ones I have seen, but it is a lot more consistant power. Don't know if that matters much on standard stuff though. I have a conventional generator and run about half the house when we loose power with no problems.

 

[P-Nut]

My parents run two well pumps, fridge, pellet stove and TV on a standard generator. They dont have any problems.

Anyways, even if the two small power heads got messed up (they are Aqueons, one 700gal and one 500 gal) they are cheaper to replace than a bunch of corals.