Backup power?

[inspector]

Hi my power was out to last night so today i went and picked up one of these .it will run heater and power heads.anyone else have one or know anything about them.Paulhttp://images.canadiantire.ca/media/...5_en_44f23.gif

[Ruth]

Compare the cost of your tank, equipment, livestock, time, and committment to the cost of a generator. For me the generator wins hands down as the cheapest, most realiable, and able to run a lot more things in my house that just the tanks. I live in the north though and although I have a huge wood stove for heat it is always nice to be able to run a small space heater.

[Doormatt]

While I agree that a generator is always the best idea, those of us living in apartments (or in townhouses if the strata rules forbid it) don't have that option.

Just did some quick pricing, and to run a 400W load for 6 Hours, you're looking at around $1,500 for a UPS.

At that point, strata rules be dammed, I'd have a generator.

[Ruth]

Check out the new Honda generators - they came out with some super quiet ones in the last couple of years. You pay for them no doubt but I use mine for camping as well and you can stand right beside it and have a normal conversation. It's quite amazing.

[geopod]

well you hit a topic that I know about.

Being that I just moved here from Nova Scotia. Some of you may know of the power outage we had last year for 6 days in the winter. I had my SW running at the time.I used my computers UPS(uninteruptable power system) to run the tank and I used a 5000w generator to run my house breaker panel , which fed the whole house. So I still had the furnace etc etc.I had to fill the fuel every 8 hrs but I still had power.And we ended up taking in 4 families until power was restored around the area. I was also able to set up some local reefers there with the generators too to help keep their systems going. Power outage is something I think every reefer should consider. Buy a 5KW generator from costco or canadian tire. And have it for a back up.Even if it is only 4 hrs. Another $500 investment that will save the other $1000-7000 you already spend on livestock....small price to pay I say.

My 2 cents for what its worth.

george

[inspector]

Hi i see the link did'nt work try thishttp://www.canadiantire.ca/assortmen...34374303517530they have all differant sizes. Paul

[AndyL]

A 'well planned' tank should have no problem coping with the average power failure we see. In reality, most tanks should/could easily survive 6 hours without power.

Smaller tanks may require some insulation to retain heat (simply wrapping a blanket around can radically decrease the speed of decline).

Some fish with higher o2 requirements may require some extra water movement, but trying to keep return pumps, and powerheads is by no means necessary. A simple / cheap battery backup airpump installed as an airlift will provide more than enough circulation / surface aggitation for even these sensitive creatures.

One could theoretically plan to power a heater, but I wouldn't try to maintain your 'normal' temperature, keeping a temperature of 72-74 should be adequate for survival for the majority of creatures. Once power's back on bring the temperature up slowly.

Longer term powerfailures, yes would require some forethought - but lets face it, the majority of canada is rather unlikely to see hurricanes, or major natural disasters... Well other than vancouver sliding off into the pacific - but at that point I don't think y'all are going to be thinking about your tanks

I don't see much need to spend thousands on a generator, or huge UPS system, in a vain attempt to keep the system as a whole running. Provide the basics and be patient for the lights to come back on. A situation of hours without electricity is rare - why get stressed about it?

Andy

[Ruth]

That may be true for people that live in or close to larger centers but my power goes out at least twice a year for 12 hours or longer and the last 2 years it has gone out for 4 days in a row. I'll stick with my generator thanks and as an added bonus use it for camping. I don't know about Vancouver falling into the Pacific but I do think that one of these days we are going to have a large scale natural disaster of some sort. I personally know how scared everyone was a few years ago when they discovered the hole in the WAC Bennett Dam. This hydro electic project provides something like 33% of the provinces power and then some - which we quickly sell to the US

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by AndyL

A 'well planned' tank should have no problem coping with the average power failure we see. In reality, most tanks should/could easily survive 6 hours without power.


Andy

6 hours is a small blackout for many parts of the Island.

Steve