What is everyone doing for battery back up?

[Mike konesky]

I did an experiment with my Tunze 6095, safety switch and a 12 volt batter, and my 6095 ran for 5 days.

What battery size and what speed was set? Just ordered one and curious. I know they cut whatever speed you have set in half once the backup comes on.

To OP question: I'm running 5-APC ups units on 3 systems. 100% reliable, audible alarm is awesome (just not when all 5 chime at once).
2 Honda eu2200 for longer outages.
Newly ordered Tunze switch should allow for over a week by itself.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Diy 24v 7ah battery here. Then the truck mounted inverter or 4kw generator comes out.

 

[md2882]

23kW whole home generator….enough to power the house without issue. We don’t lose power

 

[motzCOreefer]

Installed a couple of Powerwalls. Should last me at least 6 hours. Portable generator if the outage is greater than 6 hours which has never happened to me.

 

[Jwink]

I have an APC 1500. It mainly runs my Nero's when the power goes out so that holds for a while. Everything else shuts down when the power goes out but that seems to work so far.

 

[slythy]

I just got a APC SM750 UPS that had dead batteries. Im debating modding it, adding fans and putting 2x 75AH SLA batteries on it. I dont think it would pose any risk at all and we barely if ever lose power... but i travel a lot so being able to go 10 hours with the return pump and 2 mp40's would be perfect.

 

[GillMeister]

No battery backup here. I have an automatic generator that should be able to supply my essential circuits indefinitely. Aquarium, sump, fridge, living room, kitchen, bathrooms, water heater, beer fridge. Essentials.

 

[Naso110]

I have an old little Honda 4000w "handheld" 60lbs, so I guess hands held generator. (6) 25 ft extension cords. Not pretty, but cheap and works for running all pumps and heaters if necessary for all 6 tanks

 

[FMF0331]

I have 3 ecotech batteries as well. Highly recommended. I diy replace the internal batteries on an every 4 year rotating schedule.

Same here, replacing the battery is easier than expected. Popping off the rivets to the cover was the hardest part.

 

[FMF0331]

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

My buddy from Puddle Aquatics (an electrician by trade) just created a battery backup that I will be testing out http://www.reefboxx.com/. Excited to try it.

 

[Eric R.]

Two ecotechs and work like a charm -

then I got a whole home generac and it works more better - and gave the ecotechs to my son and they have served him well through 2 whole day shut downs

my problem now is that all my dosing is performed with Kamoers on bluetooth (live in a rural setting -no house wifi) and they shut down with any gap in circuit - requiring a simple re-initiation, but if I'm gone...

Finally found a versa to at least drive the talk

I think a UPS would help with the Bluetooth problem, correct?

 

[Projects with Sam]

Dwest- Thats awesome that you replace the bats yourself. I'd love to learn more about your DIY process! In particular what battery and the source to get it.

@bestfishes Checkout:

DIY Ecotech Battery Backup for $60

I’m going to be showing you how to make a battery backup with a group 24 deep cycle marine battery, which cost roughly $80, and are rated at 75 ah. You might be asking yourself why such a large battery, when the standard 18AH battery can last 20 hours on a MP60, 36 on a MP40, and 72 hours on a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jwink]

I just got a APC SM750 UPS that had dead batteries. Im debating modding it, adding fans and putting 2x 75AH SLA batteries on it. I dont think it would pose any risk at all and we barely if ever lose power... but i travel a lot so being able to go 10 hours with the return pump and 2 mp40's would be perfect.

Does the SM750 have an expansion port on it? I know some of them like the 1500 have a port that you can add batteries to as well as the ones internally. I've seen some people take the expansion port and adapter and wire to a car battery, I'm sure that would give days if it works.

Also I had to change out the batteries in mine, it cost like 40 bucks to buy OEM replacements.

 

[bnord]

I think a UPS would help with the Bluetooth problem, correct?

yes, but with that I have inconsistent signal, and would have no offsite access, unless ham missing something

 

[MrGisonni]

Stage 1 coralbox pump extender to buy some time.
Stage 2 the deep cycle marine batteries come out of the boat and are used to run a small bilge pump from sump to tank via 1/2" hose. And probably a battery operated air pump
Stage 3 share portable generator time with the fridge and window mounted AC
Stage 4 manual circulation with cups, spoons and egg beaters lol

 

[Ahetrick74]

Ive gone as far as putting a cross over switch on my main electrical panel for long term emergencies which have happened once in my life and lasted 18 hours. My fish tank, refrigerators, wine cellar, AC, TV, internet and the microwave are all attached to that panel. I can roll my generator up to the connector and as long as I have fuel, my tank has full power including lights and sirens ;-). I got the batteries for when I am away and no one is around to figure all the hook ups out.

I have the same flip a switch and start the generator. The only downside would be if I weren't home. Would have loved a whole house backup that would automatically kick on but I was over ruled due the cost. In my case, my power goes out often, usually for a few hours at a time.

 

[Eric R.]

yes, but with that I have inconsistent signal, and would have no offsite access, unless ham missing something

Sorry, not sure exactly what you mean about the inconsistent signal being an issue, perhaps you can elaborate?

How much run time would you need? You can increase run-time by modifying a UPS.

Also, there may be some info in this thread that would be helpful: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ups-battery-backup-with-apex.771963/

 

[ReefingIsMyTherapy]

I know this thread is about what is everybody using for battery backup, but I'd like to know, what would you consider as the critical piece(s) of equipment that must be connected to the batteries?

For example, if you have 2 wavemakers, would it be OK to just run one in case of a power outage? My tank has been running for ~4 months, and I don't have a battery backup yet.

 

[Projects with Sam]

It probably depends on your tank size but I anticipate just having one wavemaker on battery backup for a 120Gallon tank.