Backup Power

docdubz · 04/06/2020, 01:28 PM

I'm putting together my shopping list for my new tank and it just dawned on me that the power tends to go out at my new house when ever there is a strong rain. What is the consensus on battery backup units? As in, do you get a battery that would be strong enough to run only your return pump or most of your system? And, is it better to go with proprietary battery backups, like the one ecotech makes for their pumps, or are there better options for the price?

Vinny Kreyling · 04/06/2020, 04:32 PM

BRS did a video on this.
If you have Ecotech pumps use their unit for the best protection.

snulma1 · 04/07/2020, 09:36 AM

How long does the power go down for?
An hour or 2, a simple battery backup to run pumps would be fine
half a day or more, you probably want to look for a larger backup (like an external generator to run pumps/heaters/skimmers)

LQT · 04/07/2020, 12:28 PM

If you’re going the Ecotech route, here is a great DIY on how to build your own.

mann1139 · 04/11/2020, 05:49 AM

I have looked into this in the past.

If it is a couple hours, your tank should be okay.

Longer and the power consumption on any tank gets large quickly when you start adding up heaters, pumps, and lights. That makes any battery backup large, and pretty quickly a generator becomes cheaper.

04/06/2020, 01:28 PM	#1
docdubz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 13	Backup Power I'm putting together my shopping list for my new tank and it just dawned on me that the power tends to go out at my new house when ever there is a strong rain. What is the consensus on battery backup units? As in, do you get a battery that would be strong enough to run only your return pump or most of your system? And, is it better to go with proprietary battery backups, like the one ecotech makes for their pumps, or are there better options for the price?

04/06/2020, 04:32 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	BRS did a video on this. If you have Ecotech pumps use their unit for the best protection. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

04/07/2020, 12:28 PM	#4
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	If you’re going the Ecotech route, here is a great DIY on how to build your own. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

04/07/2020, 09:36 AM	#3
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	How long does the power go down for? An hour or 2, a simple battery backup to run pumps would be fine half a day or more, you probably want to look for a larger backup (like an external generator to run pumps/heaters/skimmers)

04/11/2020, 05:49 AM	#5
mann1139 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jersey Posts: 178	I have looked into this in the past. If it is a couple hours, your tank should be okay. Longer and the power consumption on any tank gets large quickly when you start adding up heaters, pumps, and lights. That makes any battery backup large, and pretty quickly a generator becomes cheaper.