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Lost a few last night..
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mloebl
Non-member
Sorry to hear about your loses. I lost power around 2:30am last night which is a rarity here (actually feeling it today since I'm a light sleeper so that meant no fan so didn't sleep at all 
so hopefully this posts makes some sense 
) I built a battery backup for my tank after reading the post in the DIY forum. Using a 48ah marine gel cell deep cycle battery, smart charger, relay and power inverter (probably $300 in parts). I have the inverter connected to the return pump for the tank in the basement. The mak4 runs about 1amp if I did my math right, so with losses due to ineffeciency of the inverter, it should still give me some decent run time (hoping to get 24hrs out of it.) When the power went out this morning, went downstairs and it was running fine. Only thing was the temperature dropped a bit so was still coming up (was up to 77.8 when I left for work after 2hrs of heating.) Everyone looked ok so far and eating, but still to early to tell, especially for the corals.
-Mike
so hopefully this posts makes some sense ) I built a battery backup for my tank after reading the post in the DIY forum. Using a 48ah marine gel cell deep cycle battery, smart charger, relay and power inverter (probably $300 in parts). I have the inverter connected to the return pump for the tank in the basement. The mak4 runs about 1amp if I did my math right, so with losses due to ineffeciency of the inverter, it should still give me some decent run time (hoping to get 24hrs out of it.) When the power went out this morning, went downstairs and it was running fine. Only thing was the temperature dropped a bit so was still coming up (was up to 77.8 when I left for work after 2hrs of heating.) Everyone looked ok so far and eating, but still to early to tell, especially for the corals.-Mike
NateHanson
Non-member
Mike, your Mak 4 draws about 1 amp at 120 V, but around 10 amps from the 12V gel cell. Plus your inverter (depending on type) may not work below about a 50% charge on the gel cell. (Also, deep cycle batteries are damaged when discharged below 50% so it's best not to plan on using the bottom half of the charge). So your 48 AH battery really has about a 20-25 AH usable capacity, which would translate to about 2 hours for your return pump.
I'd think your backup capacity would be much better put to use running a powerhead in the display tank, rather than moving water all the way up from the basement, especially since there will be no heat or skimming down there when the power's out. A powerhead in the tank directed at the surface will keep things moving, aerated, and the display will probably lose less heat than the basement sump. And an 18w powerhead will run for a good 10 or 12 hours on your backup system, without discharging below 50%.
Focus, sorry you lost so much. I know it is a real downer. I hope everything else recovers well.
I'd think your backup capacity would be much better put to use running a powerhead in the display tank, rather than moving water all the way up from the basement, especially since there will be no heat or skimming down there when the power's out. A powerhead in the tank directed at the surface will keep things moving, aerated, and the display will probably lose less heat than the basement sump. And an 18w powerhead will run for a good 10 or 12 hours on your backup system, without discharging below 50%.
Focus, sorry you lost so much.
I know it is a real downer. I hope everything else recovers well.
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mloebl
Non-member
Mike, your Mak 4 draws about 1 amp at 120 V, but around 10 amps from the 12V gel cell. Plus your inverter (depending on type) may not work below about a 50% charge on the gel cell. (Deep cycle batteries are damaged when discharged below 50%). So your 48 AH battery really has about a 20-25 AH usable capacity, which would translate to about 2 hours for your return pump.
I'd think your backup capacity would be much better put to use running a powerhead in the display tank, rather than moving water all the way up from the basement, especially since there will be no heat or skimming down there when the power's out. A powerhead in the tank directed at the surface will keep things moving, aerated, and the display will probably lose less heat than the basement sump.
Focus, sorry you lost so much.
That's interesting, LOL. Learn something new
Not a bad idea. I had thought about power the maxijets as the core water upstairs would stay warmer not pumping 30' thru pipes. Problem is trying to get it upstairs is the challenge due to size (optima battery is large, not to mention the charger.)-Mike
NateHanson
Non-member
Why not run an extension cord down to the basement for a powerhead?
mloebl
Non-member
LOL, ok, so it is official; my brain is dead on a couple hours of sleep and lack of caffeine today
-Mike
NateHanson
Non-member
No worries. You managed to put together a working UPS. That's worth something. Now go take a nap.
You managed to put together a working UPS. That's worth something. Now go take a nap.
DavidGallant
Non-member
All of mine survived the 8 hour outage. Is there anything I can do now to make them happier? I'm sure they probably wanted to die yesterday. The tank hit 68. I kept blankets around the tank, but my computer UPS died in under a minute(its old) when I hooked it to the tank.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I was expecting one for myself yesterday.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I was expecting one for myself yesterday.
grundig5
Missing Colorado...
My power is still out, going on 12 hours now. I woke up to a 71 degree tank, which I guess isnt bad. I wrapped it in newspaper and towels, went to walmart and bought a tractor battery and hooked up my inverter to it. Now at least I have a heater and flow (with an airline hooked to it). I'm at work now, but I hope everything makes it
Sorry to hear that Rob, it sucks.
Josh
Sorry to hear that Rob, it sucks.
Josh
MikeG
Non-member
Sorry for your losses, power outages are never a good thing. I think everyone should have at least 2 of the Penn Plax B-11 air pumps. They run off D batteries and plug into the wall. If power is lost it turns on. Cheap way to keep the water oxygenated if you don't have a generator or other backup system. I say 2 just incase the batteries are dead in one. Much less likely the batteries would be dead in both if you check them periotically.
http://www.aquatichouse.com/Pumps_files/ppbatpump.asp
http://www.aquatichouse.com/Pumps_files/ppbatpump.asp
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Kiah
Non-member
I have a couple battery operated air pumps that plug in and turn on when the power goes off. You are welcome to them. Not much but something. The other thing I've done in the past is manually aerate the water by dumping buckets every 15 min. In this neck of the woods ice usually means power loss.
grundig5
Missing Colorado...
Ha, I know that. My girlfriend lives in Hubbardston, they dont know what a plow is . The maxijet is keeping things aerated, and the temp is rising slowly, but still no power. I'll be reevaluating this once the power comes back and I'll be prepared a bit better. This sucks though.
. The maxijet is keeping things aerated, and the temp is rising slowly, but still no power. I'll be reevaluating this once the power comes back and I'll be prepared a bit better. This sucks though.divemonster
dorszoo
Grundig5,
I lost power for only an hour last night, most unusual for Goodrich St.! If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm at work, but my husband is home. 978-582-6830.
Doreen and Mark
I lost power for only an hour last night, most unusual for Goodrich St.! If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm at work, but my husband is home. 978-582-6830.
Doreen and Mark
Gina McReeferson
My sweet Baby David
Sorry to hear that Rob, it's hard to lose one fish, never mind a few of them, hope the MIA ones turn up for you.
-Gina and Dave
-Gina and Dave
DavidGallant
Non-member
Not to sound like an @ss, but what about the straw in the bowl trick people use for goldfish?? My mom used to use the inside of a coffee machine when she was young for her goldfish. Would it help at all????????
