What type of backup power supply should i buy ??
- Thread starter High Voltage
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What he said.
Minimally you'd want to power your return to oxygenate the water, but a power head like a tunze or mp10 might be more efficient. I'd find the most efficient water mover and plug that in to the backup battery. But like Omar said, it really depends on how much power you're pulling from the battery that will drive what UPS you can use. Also, how much run time do you expect to get from the battery?
Minimally you'd want to power your return to oxygenate the water, but a power head like a tunze or mp10 might be more efficient. I'd find the most efficient water mover and plug that in to the backup battery. But like Omar said, it really depends on how much power you're pulling from the battery that will drive what UPS you can use. Also, how much run time do you expect to get from the battery?
It's only good for 180 mins. For $70 more you can get the ecotech product for 10+ hours of continuous supply. Of course you will need to have mp10 or 40 to use the backup power. The mp10 and 40 have a power backup mode that runs at a slower speed and prolong battery life. You can even hook up multiple backup units in a series to have days of power. Proven product for $70 more for all the prized livestock, that's good value to me.
I have the ecotech backup battery and I really dislike that it goes into battery power mode and basically barely runs the pump to extend battery run time. I understand what they are doing, but that thing barely moves any water. Unless it's at the very top of your tank it would not agitate the water enough to oxygenate it. At the very least let me flip a switch that allows me to run the battery at full throttle and sacrifice run time in half. There is a way around it by doubling the voltage which "tricks" the pump into thinking it's got full power.
Anyway, a UPS runs your equipment at full power which is why you get less run time and how vortech claims 10 hours of operation. I also believe it's running the pump w/ Direct current (DC) which is more efficient since you don't have an inverted in the middle convert AC to DC or vise versa.
Anyway, a UPS runs your equipment at full power which is why you get less run time and how vortech claims 10 hours of operation. I also believe it's running the pump w/ Direct current (DC) which is more efficient since you don't have an inverted in the middle convert AC to DC or vise versa.
Alright did a little reading, this is what I would recommend:
PC BR1500G 1500 VA by APC $180
Link to Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/APC-BR1500G-B...1393475079&sr=8-1&keywords=PC+BR1500G+1500+VA
If you only ran an mp10 which uses betwen 8 to 18watts, this unit could give you about 6 to 8 hours of run time. The beauty is that you can also plug in other things, like your return or apex ac powersupply (secondary power). Obviously the more you plugin the shorter the run time, but again you can't do that with a vortech.
I wouldn't recommend plugin in things like your heater, or lights since they would both drain the battery pretty quickly.
Any questions, let me know.
PC BR1500G 1500 VA by APC $180
Link to Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/APC-BR1500G-B...1393475079&sr=8-1&keywords=PC+BR1500G+1500+VA
If you only ran an mp10 which uses betwen 8 to 18watts, this unit could give you about 6 to 8 hours of run time. The beauty is that you can also plug in other things, like your return or apex ac powersupply (secondary power). Obviously the more you plugin the shorter the run time, but again you can't do that with a vortech.
I wouldn't recommend plugin in things like your heater, or lights since they would both drain the battery pretty quickly.
Any questions, let me know.
All you need to oxygenate water is to have the ability to turn over the entire water volume 4 times in an hour. It's true that ecotech's backup limits the pump at a slower speed. However, the minimum setting for a mp40 is 1000 GPH, thus making it good enough for a 250 gallon tank. If you have more sensitive fish, then cut that in half and it's still good for 125 gallon of water.
That's easy to determine. All you need is a plug-in electricity monitor to measure how much start-up power is needed for your return pump. It costs around $20 at Home Depot. Then you will decide how many hours are needed. Multiply the two together will give you the rating of the necessary power source.
Vortech punked out by cutting the flow in half to extend run time, thus they suck.
Double the battery darn it, and give me full power! Look I get it, it's an emergency backup, you don't need it at full blast, but the flow on the mp10 is terrible on backup battery.
Single purpose device for $170 or a full blown ups for $180, I think the UPS is a better value. Oh yeah and did I mention that the ups runs the vortech at full power.
You can try this as well, DIY Vortech battery backup
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/273238-diy-vortech-battery-backup/
Double the battery darn it, and give me full power! Look I get it, it's an emergency backup, you don't need it at full blast, but the flow on the mp10 is terrible on backup battery.
Single purpose device for $170 or a full blown ups for $180, I think the UPS is a better value. Oh yeah and did I mention that the ups runs the vortech at full power.
You can try this as well, DIY Vortech battery backup
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/273238-diy-vortech-battery-backup/
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Jmo, but if the power only goes out for 30-60 mins, I wouldn't do anything. Now.. if you're itching to buy something and it was me, I'd buy a basic generator. I don't know your living arrangements or if its feasible (noise, space, ability to run it outside), but you'll be a lot better off with a $100 harbor freight generator for the time your power actually goes out for 4-8+ hrs. Sure its basic, and obnoxiously loud and probably not the most well built, but you'll be powered, and not scrambling in the middle of night calling to rent a generator or come up with a better idea. Alternatively, next idea would be to buy an inverter for your car and a really long extension cord.. just my opinion, take it from someone who has 3x vortech batt backups, a couple generators, about to build a 8x battery backup, and also about to install a 20kw standby generator.. you can say I've thought this through a few times. I do have a few UPS and while they work well, they drain quickly and the batteries wear out over time, and you can forget plugging in anything that draws a lot of power (ie: fridge, heater, etc.). With your size tank, it may work fine though, depending on your flow requirements.. If you do decide to build your own batt backup, make sure you purchase a high quality smart charger for it..
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