Jump to content
Top Shelf Aquatics

Power supply


Jonny123

Recommended Posts

Hello,

I am having a lot of thunderstorms out where I am, and want to get a surge protector/ battery backup for my aquarium.

I have a Biocube 29. Can anyone tell me a good one to get? I've seen several. In the description of the several products that I've looked at, there's no saying how long the battery will last when the power goes out.

Link to comment

I've thought about using either a computer battery backup or a DIY backup supply with a battery and a power inverter.

Link to comment

I guess i was thinking along the same lines as crazyeyes....I was thinking about a battery that would supply power to the entire tank.

Link to comment

I've thought about using either a computer battery backup or a DIY backup supply with a battery and a power inverter.

 

The computer one won't work for more then a few minutes. The draw is too large.

 

Does the Ecotech battery backup supply power to the pump as well?

 

What are you trying to back up? The Ecotech one only works on their lights and pumps.

I guess i was thinking along the same lines as crazyeyes....I was thinking about a battery that would supply power to the entire tank.

 

No such thing and no point. The main issues you have are oxygen content in the tank and temp. You need to maintain those 2. A small battery powered air pump for the oxygen and warm water bottles for temp. A computer battery backup will only run your heater for a few minutes before you deplete the battery.

Link to comment
HarryPotter

primarily the pump, and the vortech mp10 i guess....

Why would you need to power the return pump? We are talking in emergency situations, perhaps 48 hours without power. Screw filteration- you just need moving, oxygenated water

Link to comment

primarily the pump, and the vortech mp10 i guess....

 

Do you have a vehicle you can run an inverter off of and a long extension cord? That would run the MP10 and return pump easily.

Why would you need to power the return pump? We are talking in emergency situations, perhaps 48 hours without power. Screw filteration- you just need moving, oxygenated water

 

This. I'd worry about water flow and temp. The MP10 will provide enough flow even on the lowest setting.

Link to comment

Well, I guess I thought that there might be something cheap out there that would cover both the pump and the MP10...

 

I would also like to mention that I do need a surge protector as well for the entire system.

Link to comment

To a real reefer $3500 to backup their entire tank is priceless :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kid...

Link to comment

Well, I guess I thought that there might be something cheap out there that would cover both the pump and the MP10...

 

I would also like to mention that I do need a surge protector as well for the entire system.

 

If it is rated for a computer then it will work for your tank surge protection. Make sure it is elevated. Surge protectors are a major fire hazard with tanks because of corrosion or water contact.

Link to comment
HarryPotter

Well, I guess I thought that there might be something cheap out there that would cover both the pump and the MP10...

 

I would also like to mention that I do need a surge protector as well for the entire system.

Surge protectors are cheap- like $10. GFCI outlets are even better, and protect you and your equipment from water leaks and shocks.

 

Yeah your not going to find anything that can power the return pump. Luckily, it's not neccesary.

A MP10 w. battery backup would power your tank for three days.

 

Add another battery backup for 6 days!

Link to comment

I would install a GFCI breaker and outlet to just be 100% on the safe side. They are both cheap and will offer a good amount of safety.

Link to comment

Can you use a gfci powerbar if you can't change out breakers or outlets?

 

If ppl rent they often are not permitted to change breakers and outlets

Link to comment
chicagoreef

I look into the Ecotech battery backup

 

Do some googling - I have two mp10's and wasn't thrilled about the price of the official backups. I did a DYI - someone on some other site posted a very detailed explanation with lots of pictures that I was able to follow - backup for the mp10's using AT&T belkin residential gateway battery backups. I bought the backups off of ebay for about $20 each along with some cable adapters for a few bucks more (China vendors). I think AT&T gives out the battery backups to their customers and then people never set them up and eventually dump them on ebay or craigslist. I think these will also work for the APEX.

 

A few months later a transformer (something that looks like a garbage can mounted up on an electrical pole?) blew up behind my place and cut power. The first thing I did was run to my aquarium to see if the battery backups worked - and they did! The lights were off, but the mp10's were still spinning. I think this is all you need for standard power outages.The second thing I did was go out to see the transformer on fire.

Link to comment

I was looking into the same thing.

 

For a UPS, need one that is pure sinewave. CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD is a decently priced one. I plug that into my wavemaker. Will only last a few hours and not sure why but the MP10 last 72 hours but I don't have that wave maker. It's nice to know just in case I"m not home when a outage occurs.

 

Silent Air Pump with Battery-Powered Back Up SAB11 from BRS around $23

 

The pump is not necessary unless your talking more than 24 hours of outage then maybe consider a small water change. Also depends on what you stock in the tank.

Link to comment

You only need a pure sine wave UPS/inverter if you are powering AC pumps, like Maxijets, Korallias, etc... Anything DC, like Vortecs, Jebao WP/RW pumps, etc. won't need it, as the DC power supply will be able to deal with the noisy voltage from the UPS/inverter. AC pumps and modified sine wave inverters (the most common type, as they are the cheaper of the two) don't mix well. You also don't want to run the heater off a UPS. It's mainly because most UPS are not designed for large inductive loads, but the high wattage will kill the battery fast.

 

But I agree with the others. For emergencies, a battery powered air pump and a warm water bottle will get you through short term power outages without a problem.

Link to comment

You only need a pure sine wave UPS/inverter if you are powering AC pumps, like Maxijets, Korallias, etc... Anything DC, like Vortecs, Jebao WP/RW pumps, etc. won't need it, as the DC power supply will be able to deal with the noisy voltage from the UPS/inverter. AC pumps and modified sine wave inverters (the most common type, as they are the cheaper of the two) don't mix well. You also don't want to run the heater off a UPS. It's mainly because most UPS are not designed for large inductive loads, but the high wattage will kill the battery fast.

 

But I agree with the others. For emergencies, a battery powered air pump and a warm water bottle will get you through short term power outages without a problem.

 

Boom. I researched it several months ago and couldn't remember what it was called and why the AC pumps wouldn't work properly. Thanks Evil.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...