Is a battery backup a good idea? If yes, what would you recommended? I have a 29 gal cube, so power demands are not as significant as the larger setups. I'm very curious what the long term experts have done and what you might recommend. Power outages aren't very common, but I imagine it could be disastrous if not prepared. Thanks!
Battery Backup UPS? Good idea?
- Thread starter rjl45
- Start date
Most definitely, especially if you have a controller (apex, RK, profilux, etc.) that can alert you and change what is on and what is off during a power outage. If I had one on my 125 when my GFCI tripped my tank offline, it would have saved me from a nearly complete tank crash.
On my current system (29 biocube), I run a cyberpower 1500VA, 900W UPS that only powers my apex and one jebao powerhead at 40% constant. I also run a smaller 450VA UPS for my router (since they are in two different locations). This will maintain aeration in the tank for approximately 18 hours and will send me an email if power is ever lost.
On my current system (29 biocube), I run a cyberpower 1500VA, 900W UPS that only powers my apex and one jebao powerhead at 40% constant. I also run a smaller 450VA UPS for my router (since they are in two different locations). This will maintain aeration in the tank for approximately 18 hours and will send me an email if power is ever lost.
The problem with battery backups is that they are not designed for as much electricity as our tanks demand.
If I were to do it it would only be so my apex could alarm me.
On my big build I got tunze turbelles for my power head and I will connect them to essentially a car battery and only have that circulation.
It is surprising how much a tank can last just with circulation. Depending on how cold the tank got but even then corals and fish can last a decent amount of time in cooler Temps. A lot longer than warm.
If I were to do it it would only be so my apex could alarm me.
On my big build I got tunze turbelles for my power head and I will connect them to essentially a car battery and only have that circulation.
It is surprising how much a tank can last just with circulation. Depending on how cold the tank got but even then corals and fish can last a decent amount of time in cooler Temps. A lot longer than warm.
The reason I asked, amazon is selling the cyberpower backup for nearly 50% today... thanks for the advice!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=F833J4XJG0XDMSKW4XPC
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=F833J4XJG0XDMSKW4XPC
It's not really an issue with most that are marketed as "pure sine wave" such as the one he linked above. The issue many of the cheaper UPS systems use a 4 step wave that generate a lot of 3rd and 5th harmonics, which heat up motors a lot, but don't provide any actual power to the motor. Better quality UPS systems use an 8 or 12 step inverter that eliminates third harmonics and has small levels of 7th and 9th (8 step) or 11th and 13th (12 step)
I've been reading up on the sine wave issue, and it still can be a problem depending on the pump. Another idea that I have come across is a simple battery powered air pump bubbler system to keep the air exchange going. It's a manual setup but might be a economical solution.
Not sure I like that, kind of wanted an automated system, in case the power cut out 30 minutes after I left for work and stayed off all day...would really hate to come home to a stagnant system wish fish suffocating.
Follow up question... how long do you all think a 29 gallon cube could sit stagnant before the fish run out of oxygen? I've been told it can go a few hours without any problems.curious what the community here has to say. Thanks again for all the feedback!
Not sure I like that, kind of wanted an automated system, in case the power cut out 30 minutes after I left for work and stayed off all day...would really hate to come home to a stagnant system wish fish suffocating.
Follow up question... how long do you all think a 29 gallon cube could sit stagnant before the fish run out of oxygen? I've been told it can go a few hours without any problems.curious what the community here has to say. Thanks again for all the feedback!
Just for a reference, I had a 40g cube running a HOB filter for QT that I forgot to plug in after a late night feeding. I think there were 3 smallish tangs ( < 3") and a fire fish. All dead in the morning after 8 hours without circulation save the purple tang who showed a gasp of breath just before I was going to throw him away. I was able to revive him, but he seems to have some brain damage now based on my assessment of his swimming behavior (very repetitive looping swim in the short end of the tank) - although I am no fish behavioral expert by any means.
Just one thing to add. About using your controller to alert during a power outage. That is not going to happen unless you also have your router on a backup as well. This is of course is unless your controller has an SMS module which is cellular. I could be wrong but the last time I checked only only GHL offered an SMS module for its reef controller.
i don't think apex has one and I know. DA dosnt have one. Not a big deal just be sure your computer/and router are backed up as well.
i don't think apex has one and I know. DA dosnt have one. Not a big deal just be sure your computer/and router are backed up as well.
