Beginning day 3 without power

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dragoneggs

dragoneggs

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Just got home in time from overseas business trip on Sunday only to have the power go out Monday afternoon during snow/wind storm. Between helping very old neighbors in need, suffering major jet lag, and trying to keep reef tank warm, I finally got a chance to chime in here.

Even though I thought I was prepared, this is proving to be a good lesson for the future as we try to survive this outage. I am on intermittent 3G connection so I will be limping through posting to this thread, but hopefully some of my upcoming comments will be beneficial for some others that find themselves in an extended power outage.
 
First of all, the puchase of a Honda generator several years ago has been a lifesaver. I went with a 3000w portable unit so it can be moved around as necessary, storing in my attached shed and putting it on casters so I can easily wheel it to the door so it adequately vents to the outside. A plug here for the very expensive Honda generators... In my experience and of many others I have talked to says these are the most reliable of all. Of course this is probably the most important feature. The 3kW provides enough power to run my tank normally along with a few other luxuries in the house at the same time.

I think anyone with a medium to large reef tank should consider a generator as required equipment. I will not comment on whether absolutely needed for small tanks since I don't have first hand experience here and there are lots of great posts about survival tips without them.

"Hooking" a generator up to your service panel is extremely convenient but should be done by a professional. This is coming from a guy that is a serious DIYer that isn't afraid of adding circuits to the main. Safety is number One for you and the power company linemen that work in this weather when the power goes out/on!
 
Biggest thing with dealing without power is gas, that is If you have a generator. You need to use it sparingly, run what you need to just get buy and learn to isolate everything else not needed. Run PH's and circulation with heaters long enough to perk things up. I wouldn't worry about lighting as much. If you run out of fuel to run the generator then this is all a waste so conserve it like there was no tomorrow. If you need heat for the home, isolate rooms and run a space heater, rather heating the whole house!
Get plenty of fuel, more gas cans or if your lucky enough to have natural gas then this won't be so much an issue! Remember in times like this, fuel stations have the same issues, also long lines etc. Conserve!
 
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It is not necessary to hook in to your panel but if you don't, make sure you have lots of extension cords and multiple outlets so you can plug everything in. You will be surprised at how many cords you might need if you don't have your wiring organized ahead of time. Being able to fully power your tank for several days or more is a great piece of mind. Power outages become more stressful the longer they go especially when you have little to no idea how long they will last. For most of us, we have other very pressing issues to deal with when this happens.
 
I have a Kohler 12kw propane generator that runs my house in the event of a power outtage. Also, have 2 gas cylinders that I like to keep full. In the Bahamas it is typical for the power to go out. It can be a beautiful sunny day out and the power will just go off LOL! I'd imagine with all the bad winter storms some of you experience, it is betetr be safe than sorry. :)
 
Scooter beat me to my next comment... got Gas? I am running my generator continuously. This means 5gal per day. I now know that I should have more fuel stored in reserve but I hate having gas sit too long especially living so close to water and the moist climate. This is a double edged sword. When power goes out the local gas stations typically see quite a bit of pressure. Some can't operate and some run out. Having some fuel stabilizer doesn't hurt either. The worst times are when the power goes out when it is cold and snow and ice make travel difficult... Like NOW! We have power lines down on the road and trees leaning over and lying across the road. I in fact drove under three trees just barely getting under that were supported only by the power lines. Not advisable but I didn't have a better option.
 
We are not roughing like some I am sure, but the 20deg outside temperature is rapidly sucking the thermal mass from our house. With my sump in the cooler basement I was already finding it difficult to keep the tank temperature above 74deg and have been contemplating how to improve my heating plan. I am currently running three submerged heaters totaling 700w and it is proving not enough especially now. My previous tank with canopy housing two 250w MH and the sump directly below gave me the opposite problem in the summer that I having now with a rimless tank, LED lights, and open sump in the basement in the winter. I was very happy this summer when my tank temps were stable during the hot (okay, for Seattle) stretches.
 
DolphinLVR said:
Mark - My thoughts are with you! Wish I lived closer to be able to lend a hand.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff... I am sure there are those suffering worse than me. I hope this thread provides some help... At least maybe for next time or for tank planning. As you know, there is a lot to think about when 'investing' in a large reef tank. I use the word loosely here!
 
Now to the blessing... My tank is located in the living room a little more prominently than my better half's liking (Bricky might be able to relate) but the good news is we have a LP gas fireplace that has a fan which heats the room. My generator being hooked into the main with a mechanical interlock means I can keep this room relatively warm. I am running the fireplace and all tank systems 24hours a day. Now this is where my understanding wife smiles as we don't have enough juice to run the well pump at the same time. Worse yet, we share the well with our 85 year old dear neighbors that also have to put my fish and corals first as it is my year (we alternate) to power the well! So... We don't have running water, toilets, etc. The tank seems to have stabized at just over 71deg.
 
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One of actions I also had to take was to fire up an in-wall propane heater in my office adjacent to the fish room as the cold basement as it was driving my temp down. I noticed after over night my pH dropped from 8.3 range to 7.8. I don't know what caused that except for maybe real high CO2 concentration in the fish room??? No ventilation. Any thoughts from readers here? Should I be concerned? The pH also seemed to have stabilized.
 
Glad to hear things are being sustained during this tough time. I went out and bought a generator about a week and a half ago due to a power outage we had. By the time I got home with it, power had been restored, but I have a feeling this generator will see some use before the end of winter.
 
The heater is adding CO or CO2 to the air which is driving down your pH. Ventilation will help with this.

Styrofoam packed along the sides of the sump will also insulate it and help your heaters to work more efficiently.

Regarding portable generators for those who dont have them or dont use them often:

They're not set and forget. They can be very dangerous if you dont pay very close attention to the instructions and follow the safety guidelines.

Every year I read about people who have been killed or seriously injured by portable generators. Ventilation is very important, (The exhaust can and will kill you by CO poisoning). The exhaust pipe gets very hot and can and will start fires if not properly clear of debris or flammable objects.
I have even read of people getting seriously burned by trying to refuel a running generator rather than shutting it down, waiting for things to cool, refueling and then restarting.

I have an 8Kw portable genset which I've used once before for 3 days. Everything worked out fine, but I was very careful to follow safety guidelines.

Another interesting article for anyone without the expensive but very quiet Honda generators....

Quieten That Generator

Nick
 
Good points Nick. I am sure that my in wall propane ventless heater was the culprit for the pH drop. Now that it is turned off the pH is rising.
 
Maxx said:
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Another interesting article for anyone without the expensive but very quiet Honda generators....

Quieten That Generator

Nick
Click to expand...



Thanks for great link.

I have a 6500 watt electric start Generac that is hard wired to my house.
It is very convenient, but it is very loud. I know my neighbors hate me for a couple different reasons when it is running.
I can't wait to try the car muffler mod.
 
I need to do the car muffler mod also....My genset sounds like a damn train running. I live in a quiet low key area, but when the power's out in a widespread area, I worry about some clown stealing my genset. A silenced genset is harder to find.

Nick
 
The honda Eu series generators are tanks... i have the eu2000I

its able to power every single fish tank thing i have.. all lights all heaters everything on full blast for a good long while.. this includes my sump and roDi setup...

Id recommend getting your self something large enough that its noting running full feild when in use, the larger 3000 or 5000 will power your tank and some of your house..

good investment.. costly but will pay it self off the first use
 
I have the eu3000 and it has been a lifesaver notbto hoe wonderfully quiet it runs. Has an 'Eco-throttle' that reduces idle when the load is low making it even quieter!
 
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