Backup equipment
- Thread starter rayray
- Start date
I broke my heater while changing the water and didn't realize it a couple of months ago and it tripped my GFCI. I was at work and was also without power for 8 hours. Most of my fish died and so are some of my corals. Those that survive are slowly coming back. I'm planning to get some back up equipment soon.
My reef has been cruising for 3 yrs, then I had that close call. I forget sometimes that the tank is like a space station, very unforgiving.
I think I will install another separate 15 amp GFCI circuit for the tank and place the return pumps, backup heater, and perhaps another chiller and controller on it. Ill keep the powerheads and Apex controller on the the existing circuit. 2 redundant electrical, water flow, temp control and monitoring systems. More safe? Its definitely more expensive, complex and has more gear to maintain (screw up).
The Neptune Apex controller was a safety backup. But when off, all I can see from the smartphone app is a blank page, not what happened to the tank. A motorized webcam could help with that, but a P.I.T.A.
I was thinking of getting a portable generator, but I would still have to be home to start it up and plug the tank into it.
I was thinking of getting a home generator with auto switching, but that wouldnt have helped me if a downstream GFCI tripped. Not to mention the $5K+ price tag.
I guess I could give my neighbors my house keys. Then the house belongs to the REEF TANK and not me. Madness.
If my tank did crash I would have left the hobby. But honestly, more & more Im thinking...what a load off!
I think I will install another separate 15 amp GFCI circuit for the tank and place the return pumps, backup heater, and perhaps another chiller and controller on it. Ill keep the powerheads and Apex controller on the the existing circuit. 2 redundant electrical, water flow, temp control and monitoring systems. More safe? Its definitely more expensive, complex and has more gear to maintain (screw up).
The Neptune Apex controller was a safety backup. But when off, all I can see from the smartphone app is a blank page, not what happened to the tank. A motorized webcam could help with that, but a P.I.T.A.
I was thinking of getting a portable generator, but I would still have to be home to start it up and plug the tank into it.
I was thinking of getting a home generator with auto switching, but that wouldnt have helped me if a downstream GFCI tripped. Not to mention the $5K+ price tag.
I guess I could give my neighbors my house keys. Then the house belongs to the REEF TANK and not me. Madness.
If my tank did crash I would have left the hobby. But honestly, more & more Im thinking...what a load off!
I am an electrician and have 2 things to say about these problems
on one hand a GFCI will always be a problem and nuisance for you....they will eventually trip and kill your tank.
On the other hand if you dont use a GFCI it might be you that gets killed
But here is my solution.....I do use GFCI's but only on certain things....mainly lights,skimmer,heaters and less important things. My pump is always plugged directly a standard plug (it is external and double-grounded so no worries)so at least the tank will cycle
Dedicated circuit for your equipment are always a good idea too.
And a back-up system is always a good idea
Btw the worst zap you can get is usually from your lights they should always be plugged into a GFCI.....Ballast produce erratic current
on one hand a GFCI will always be a problem and nuisance for you....they will eventually trip and kill your tank.
On the other hand if you dont use a GFCI it might be you that gets killed
But here is my solution.....I do use GFCI's but only on certain things....mainly lights,skimmer,heaters and less important things. My pump is always plugged directly a standard plug (it is external and double-grounded so no worries)so at least the tank will cycle
Dedicated circuit for your equipment are always a good idea too.
And a back-up system is always a good idea
Btw the worst zap you can get is usually from your lights they should always be plugged into a GFCI.....Ballast produce erratic current
The factors to consider are total kilowatts needed.
usually a 7kw is fine, that will keep your tank going and important things in the home
Go on home depots sight and you can get a general idea
installation can kill ya but I could obviously give you a great deal when all is said in done installed you should be under well under 3k for that set-up.... less if you have some nice corals to give....lol.
they typically run off natural gas or lp but natural is more reliable and cheaper and no refilling
generac 1799.00 home depot 7kw (not sure what it use for fuel but should be
natural gas)
generac 2399.00 home depot 8kw (not really worth the extra 1kw but it
states it runs on natural gas)
usually a 7kw is fine, that will keep your tank going and important things in the home
Go on home depots sight and you can get a general idea
installation can kill ya but I could obviously give you a great deal when all is said in done installed you should be under well under 3k for that set-up.... less if you have some nice corals to give....lol.
they typically run off natural gas or lp but natural is more reliable and cheaper and no refilling
generac 1799.00 home depot 7kw (not sure what it use for fuel but should be
natural gas)
generac 2399.00 home depot 8kw (not really worth the extra 1kw but it
states it runs on natural gas)
