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#1
12-07-2015, 06:17 PM
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Battery backup or UPS?
more wind is coming, I am seeking for a cheap and easy solution to keep the tank circulated while no power, should I buy a vortech battery backup or UPS?
obviously the bare minimum is to have the powerhead running, but is UPS powerful enough to keep the return pump and heater running too? If so which model is recommended? I am looking for options to maintain the tank for at least 24 hours when power out. Thanks. Last edited by Reef-Geek; 12-07-2015 at 06:20 PM. 
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#2
12-07-2015, 06:31 PM
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I use an inverter and a spare car battery, will run my big powerheads for 24 hours, I also got some small 2 watt powerheads and those will last 48 hours and up-not timed it yet.
Heaters need a lot of power, think you would need a generator if you want to run that for 24 hours, bylaws here mean I can't run a generator from 10pm to 8am, which is when the power outs seem to happen. Last edited by rsisvixen; 12-07-2015 at 06:35 PM.
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#3
12-07-2015, 09:17 PM
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I grabbed a 1500VA UPS ......get the online one which protects everything on it from surges and power bumps. I actually used it on my sump pump for my house during a power outage and heavy rainfall....it ran that pump for 20 mins...... 1/3 hp.
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#4
12-08-2015, 09:06 AM
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Do NOT run return pumps or heaters on UPS or battery backups. You'll end up with no circulation at all when these high wattage units suck your backups dry.
Only power efficient wavemakers or air pumps (battery operated ones are about $20 btw). Anthony
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#5
12-08-2015, 01:16 PM
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I bought a $150 gas inverter 900w (1000w peak) from kijiji - super quiet.
I have used it once to 'save' my 2x tanks... I am debating a ups.... Just really no need for short outages as my sump won't overflow. It's the longer outages I need a solution for & gas power is the right answer.... Tank 1 Return pump 90w Heaters - up to 400w Tank 2 Return pump 70w Heaters - up to 300w It's a minimum of 160w & up to 860w, this will circulate all the water and heat it.... Once it's heated (caught up), I can probably take out a heater and get skimmers running or something else if needed. It was a $150 rescue investment. Used once for only an hr... The tank would have survived, but no way to know how long till power resumes....
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#6
12-08-2015, 01:19 PM
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Just get a quiet generator with a good muffler and put it in a detached garage or shed and your neighbors won't hear it. Those bylaws only count if it's a disturbance.
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