Power Outage Preparedness

General Saltwater Discussion
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After losing power YET AGAIN last night for a few hours, I thought this would be a great time for us to talk about how we prepare for power outages. I’ll start with how my system works…

I have an automatic backup air source. If the power goes out, this automatically comes on. It can run off of batteries for 24 hours and the battery recharges while the power is on. I can also hook it up to a USB battery pack I use for my phone and get another 2-3 days out of it. This is my first line of defense and it kicks on even if I’m not home. Aeration in the tank is the top priority. Oxygen levels can drop in a hurry without flow.

I also have a gas generator that can run my tank for 12 hours on one tank of gas (more if the heaters don’t run as much). The generator can handle lights, pumps, heaters, and the skimmer. I usually default to just pumps and heaters. The tank would be fine without a skimmer or lights for several days and I’d rather have extra run time on the generator.

I’ve been thinking about battery backup options for the pumps that would kick in automatically. It would be nice to not have to worry about pulling the generator out in the middle of the night (like last night).

So what do you do…?

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I just pray…
I really don’t have any back up. best I have is a battery operated air pump that I won at one of our club meetings.

I have been talking to my brother about designing a solar back up system but neither one of us has followed through. My Idea is to have a solar panel approximately 2x4 to keep battery or batteries charged. I want it to be able to run overnight or at least most of the night and during the day it would run off of the solar panel itself while recharging.
I gave my brother the list of equipment that the tank needs to run. He is supposed to be figuring out the components and then I will be able to price it out and see if i can afford to set it up.

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That sound super cool Donavon. If you ever get this set up let me know. I would interested in trying something similar.

I am saving up for a whole house generator so right now I have battery powered airpumps. I have plans to add the battery backup for the gyre pumps.

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4

I too run a gas generator when the power goes out. I leave the gen in the shed and run extension cord to the house. It can run all my equipment plus some house lamps.

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I also have a gas generator. Plus battery operated air pumps.

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