Computer Battery Back up for Reef?

[Gordonious]

What do you guys think about this computer battery back up? Could probably hook it up to a circulation pump and a couple heaters and have the tanks run for a while through a snow/ice storm. Plus it will be on sale for only $30 the next two days at Staples.

Check it out here.

I'm working on a limited budget and will be leaving my tanks with my gf for a month while I go visit a real reef.

 

[phomaniac]

a ups will power a circulation pump i dunno about your heater .... u can use blankets to keep the tank insulated and keep the heat in
sites down for now....

 

[phomaniac]

for $30 bucks i would buy it even if you have a generator because what happens if you are not home to turn the generator on at least this thing will keep circulation until you get home

 

[Holygral]

I have a generator but as stated you have to be here to hook it up. I use a
APC 1500 back up battery (about $130) and it powers one Korilla 3 power head for 5-6 hours. They only pull 7 watts. Now if you take a 100-200 watt heater plugged into one I think you can see that it probally noy last 15-20 minuites if it would run one at all. But to run a power head when your not home it is great. Long term a generator is a must for a reef keeper. Small one runs $200-$400.

 

[Holygral]

After looking at the ABS you were linked to, I do not think it is big enough to help you out in a power failure. The one I mentioned in the previous post was around $130.00 at Circuit City, yes it is alot more than what you want to spend but there is no sence to spend less for something that doesn't work. It should even run a MJ for 3 hours or so as they pull around 10-11 watts vs the Korilla at 7 watts. The Korillia does spit and sputter for 15-20 seconds but it then takes off. The smaller APC might also not have enough initial kick to start a power head since they draw more power at start up.

 

[DonW]

Any UPC that is not sine wave should not be used on aquarium pumps. Some are strong enough to start a pump but the square wave is damaging the pump.

Don

 

[Holygral]

They are still better than nothing in a not at home power failure, I would rather trash a $40 pump than $1000 in live stock IMHO

 

[Reefergeorge]

My apc 700 only powers my koralia 3 for an hour.
Don how do I find out about the sine wave? Do they run a aquare wave all the time or only when power is out?

 

[DonW]

My apc 700 only powers my koralia 3 for an hour.
Don how do I find out about the sine wave? Do they run a aquare wave all the time or only when power is out?

Most sine wave units are pretty darn expensive. My cheapo one was $800. You have to check the specs.

Don

 

[DonW]

With a 100w pure sine wave inverter you should be able to power 3 Korillia 7w powerheads for almost 18 hours with a cheap group 24 marine battery if you step up to an 8d battery you get almost 48 hours on a full charge.

Don

 

[jezzeaepi]

As usual, I recomend: http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Techn...d_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1195856771&sr=8-2

The best bang for your buck power back up by far. Will give you 24+ hours on that 7W koralia..... yes an entire day!

 

[Gordonious]

Not the best bang for my buck, because I don't have that many bucks, lol. Sin wave, square wave, what if I used a circular wave? I know this is the advanced forum, but a little more info would be useful. (right over ny head) How do I know what type of wave it is and why is it important.

I live in an apartment, so a generator hook up would be a little complicated besides I'd rather not have one sitting in my living room.(all my closets are crammed full) My gf will be watching over the tanks as well and won't be home 24/7 to thrown on blankets or stir tanks, or push any buttons or anything.

My next move is to program my X10s to leave my MH and T5s off for a little while when the power blinks so they don't rapidly go on and off during a storm.

Thanks for your input.
Jon

 

[DonW]

I think if your budget is only $30 I would invest in battery powered air pumps instead of a ups.

Don