Anyone Use A Ups On Their Tank?

[jnms]

Just wondering if anyone here uses a UPS on their tank? If so, what type and what equipment do you connect to it?

I am considering getting one myself, but at the moment am unsure how much I would need to spend and what capacity UPS I would need...

 

[degsod]

Hi,

UPS's are not the ideal thing for a fish tank, that is if you are looking at using a computer type, typically they only have a 10 minute run time at the power output stated. Best bet is to get an invertor as used in camping and a large car battery.

 

[jonp]

Our UPS at work (1800w) will run the internal phone exchange (500w) for five hours or so, depending on the number of call coming in, after the server has been booted down. I would guess this is the same loading as most fish tanks?

 

[jnms]

Our UPS at work (1800w) will run the internal phone exchange (500w) for five hours or so, depending on the number of call coming in, after the server has been booted down. I would guess this is the same loading as most fish tanks?

That sounds as though it would be pretty expensive.

I have had a look around, and using this site: http/bugclub.org/beginners/miscellaneous/upscalc.html I calculate that I could buy a UPS that would run my filter for about 7 or 8 hours at the cost of around £100. This however wouldn't include the heater - which would drastically reduce the running time.

Hi,

UPS's are not the ideal thing for a fish tank, that is if you are looking at using a computer type, typically they only have a 10 minute run time at the power output stated. Best bet is to get an invertor as used in camping and a large car battery.

This sounds like an option, though I don't really like the idea of a car battery with kids around.

I am really after something that would kick in automatically in the event of a power cut. But wondering if anyone else actually bothers? Maybe I am wasting my time with the idea...

 

[degsod]

You can get sealed lead acid batteries which are preferable.

Typically you don't need to put the heater on ups as the tank will hold the tem for several hours (assuming it is not a small tank) My 190litre tank only drops bout 2 degrees over a 12 hour period.

 

[jnms]

Ok, I was wondering about that. My tank is about the same size as yours - so the heater shouldn't be too much of a problem then.

Will have to give it some more thought. Do you do anything to ensure an electric supply?

 

[degsod]

I have an invertor on standby, it is not connected up as our power supply here is very good. But if it was to go off I would simply plug the filter into the invertor and connect it to the battery in the car.

I have tested it and run it for about 5 hours without any problems and the car still started.

Not an elegent solution but it works for me

 

[Rooster]

NEVER used a backup of any sort.... even through the 1970s
Power cuts over a hour resulted in jam jars full of hot water floated in the tank(s) and that was it !

 

[degsod]

Heat does not seem to be the problem, the main issue is filtration, especially if you have a heavily stocked tank, I used to bread guppies when I was a lad in the 70's and had successfully bred some new varieties which where wiped out by the power cuts, I wrongly belived at the time that heat was the important issue. I now realise that it was probably the bacteria in the filters dying off.