Power Cut Warning

[ben1987]

Does your water level in the sump/tank drop/rise when the power is out?

What about a water level alarm setup to let you know when the power is out (and the tank level drops to the weir height or something)

£4!! http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320506171650&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (Cheap and Chinese? Internally it is a very very simple circuit (DIY possible) so who cares where it comes from).



As for power backup - what sort of wattage/amperage are you drawing? Powering a 300w computer on a 1500VA UPS lasts around 10-15 minutes... my cheapie was around £45 so to get any length of time you will need to spend quite a bit, although the UPS would beep like crazy, could just get the cheapest one if only to alert you when the power is out, and then use something like a cheap petrol/diesel generator for longer terms (cheap ones are pretty loud of course).

UPS wise probably not best to power EVERYTHING in the tank, look at the minimum you need.

Hi, im only considering back up for pumps. Votech powerheads come with the option of a back up that will run the pump for several hours. Then im thinking the more water volume i have the longer it will take to cool down.

Thanks Seffie.

Ive emailed for a quote to that site...the other one a nice tank, just not got £550 this month!

AC aquatics
That’s where I got my bespoke tank from Ben no one could come close to them on price, but expect to wait from 6 to 12 weeks for delivery there very busy over there and it’s no wonder with the price they charge and the quality of the tanks is bang on m8t it real is, the one thing I would say though is make sure your very specific about what you want, my weir was not quite what I wanted and I had to mod it just a little

Thanks mate, i just want the bare tank, il do my own weir and plumbing. Like to get stuck in with that sort of thing

 

[john.o]

You’re a braver man than me there’s no way I would drill a brand new tank after spending all that £££, absolutely no chance

 

[ben1987]

drillled loads, easy peasy It does take me like 20 minute a hole though!

 

[steelhealr]

Just caught up with this. Sorry for your loss ben. In 2003, we had a major power outtage on the East Coast here. I had the house wired to be supported by a generator. Most homeowners don't have this and doing it for an aquarium is obviously way too expensive.

I DO think having a power loss alarm is worth it. You could probably even rig up something to have it connected to the internet. A computer battery back up...could it work

http/www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/power-head-battery-back-up-1200-8-hour.html

http/www.jehmco.com/html/battery_backup_system.html


And best of all, where else would you look for info? HERE:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/293354-good-battery-backup-ups-for-aquarium-use/

SH

 

[drsquirrel]

I DO think having a power loss alarm is worth it. You could probably even rig up something to have it connected to the internet. A computer battery back up...could it work

Mid-cheap UPS with serial/USB can be used to send emails out etc - although for this you need a computer on at the time of the outage - some more expensive ones (im taking EXPENSIVE not just mid-high desktop units) have built in "email" alerts.

Seeing as he only needs it for power heads - talking 20-40w? Most basic UPSs will go for hours. If possible linking it up to just 1 out of a pair of PHs - last double the length but half the flow so need to decide which is best.

Remember though a 1500VA will draw 25-35w just idling (and on top of any other usage). Not much - but you can't ignore it if you want to be accurate when calculating power draws.

I could imagine the Vortech backup costing double that of a generic backup for not much other reason than it being for an aquarium... (though 12/24v backup is nice if the heads are running that, less conversion... there are generic 12 and 24v backup supplies too). Heck, the backup light units that you can get are pretty cheap and tend to output 12-24v

 

[john.o]

Hey if you really want to get fancy then you could try this little lot out.... ££££
http/www.save-on-security.com/paravox1.htm

 

[ben1987]

Thanks guys...i expect to get my tank quote back on tuesday

 

[ben1987]

Quote came back today....£278 plus delivery...dont think its bad at all tbh

 

[Morri]

What size is that for and is it just the DT ?

 

[Betta5]

Thats werid, we had a powercut the other day aswell. It was only for like an hour but you do realise how precious TV and internet are lol

annoying for losing animals though

 

[ben1987]

What size is that for and is it just the DT ?

100x75x60
just plain tank yeah.

£100 more than a standard 4x2x2 so im still considering my options as £100 could go nicely towards a skimmer

 

[ben1987]

might have sorted one elsewhere now, will keep you all updated

EDIT: MINE MINE MINE