Generator? How much power does a reef tank need?

[phoenix20]

So, i've been putting it off, but I really need a generator for backup power..

Saw this guy looking through homedepot.com, and it seems to be the cheapest. $200 for a new generator doesn't sound too bad.

So, I'll need to power a mag 7 and two korlia 4s at minimum. I'd also like to run the protein skimmer to keep oxygen levels up.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053</a>

What do you guys think? Too small?

 

[johnr2604]

phoenix20;415188 wrote: So, i've been putting it off, but I really need a generator for backup power..

Saw this guy looking through homedepot.com, and it seems to be the cheapest. $200 for a new generator doesn't sound too bad.

So, I'll need to power a mag 7 and two korlia 4s at minimum. I'd also like to run the protein skimmer to keep oxygen levels up.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053</a>

What do you guys think? Too small?[/QUOTE]Wow great find. That would power a pretty large reef in an emergency. Its a little over a 15 amp curcuit.

 

[weaglereefer]

What about a heater?

I was running my tank off of my power inverter in my truck last night (1600w peak, 800w normal) and I had the return pump, 2 Tunze pumps in the tank, and the PC-4 with my heater and fans on. It ran fine and over 5 hours of power outage used less than 1/8 tank of gas. I don't plan to make that my regular back-up, it was just an emergency.

I'm looking to get one like this to keep on hand for future use. I only had my 90 hooked up last night, I'd at least like to be able to have flow in my 10 and 24 as well.

 

[ichthyoid]

Simply way:

1) Add up all the 'watts' (peak watts, if listed) of the devices you want to power.

2) Multiply the above number by x1.3 (if you really want to know why this PM me, or we can start a thread about that)

3) Multiply that by 1.2 (usually generators are rated in 'peak' watts, what you 'need' is average watts, if listed.

You will end up with a generator about twice the size/watts of what you thought that you would need. This will work until you run out of fuel (several hours) or need an oil change (read the engine manual, usually about 25 hours for gas engines), then you will need to address those issues.

Bottom line:
-it is do-able
-they only run a few hours
-be prepared to maintain them (extra oil, etc.)
-NEVER fill up a HOT generator with gasoline (or been nice knowing you)

There are much bigger 'whole house' types, but you still have to change the oil.

 

[lilrobb]

I think the 4000W unit for 279 is much better suited for the average tank.

 

[chymos45]

Great find. 15 amps would run my whole 185G setup - pumps, lights, fans/heaters, the works. Granted, I currently have a drain manifold that feeds other equipment, so my draw is lower than some</em>, but it currently runs on a standard 15 amp house circuit. In an emergency power out situation, of course I could cut the lights and the secondary heater to decrease the draw and increase the run time.

 

[chymos45]

LilRobb;415195 wrote: I think the 4000W unit for 279 is much better suited for the average tank.

Should've added this caveat to my post as well.

 

[ichthyoid]

As a point of reference-

the average blow dryer is 1500 watts

(not much IMO)

 

[johnr2604]

ichthyoid;415201 wrote: As a point of reference-

the average blow dryer is 1500 watts

(not much IMO)

Actually blow dryers use a lot of power. This is part of the reason 20 amp curcuits are required in bathrooms. Most appliances in your house use a lot less. I would say one blow dryer would be equivelent to an average size tank fully running. I'm saying an average tank to be in the 100-120g range.

 

[ichthyoid]

"15 amps would run my whole 185G setup - pumps, lights, fans/heaters, the works"

FWIW- I'm not comfortable with the above, and I've done this sort of thing for a living.

No, lights aren't needed.

There are auto-switchover units available for these applications. I advise most consult a licensed electrician on this (several in ARC).

I strongle advocate the use of back-up power. We all know how Atlanta can get whacked with funky weather every couple of years. I'm just suggesting you size it correctly, an emergency is no time discover otherwise.

(the 1.3 is to compensate for the RMS-'root mean square' value of AC voltage, basically a DC equivalent = 0.707 or the square root of 2/2)

 

[acroholic]

I wouldn't bother with lights during a power outage. Tank flow and possibly a heater, depending on how long the outage is.
Dave

 

[jason sartain]

phoenix20;415188 wrote: So, i've been putting it off, but I really need a generator for backup power..

Saw this guy looking through homedepot.com, and it seems to be the cheapest. $200 for a new generator doesn't sound too bad.

So, I'll need to power a mag 7 and two korlia 4s at minimum. I'd also like to run the protein skimmer to keep oxygen levels up.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Generators-Portable-Generators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8xq/R-100637533/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053</a>

What do you guys think? Too small?[/QUOTE]
Last winter when we got 13" of snow and didn't have power for 5 days,I used a 1500 watt generator no-stop.It only had a 1 gal gas tank so every 2 hours I would have to get up and re-fill the tank.
Make sure it has a 5gal tank on what ever you get,you will get more sleep that way!!!

 

[swfk44]

might cost a little more but very quiet and very dependable, 3 yr warranty, and cool it's camo, does come in plain honda red may be cheaper. :up: 2000 watts.

alt="" />

 

[downtime89]

all the stuff i try to run on my tank tripps the breaker on our farm generator its a huge one at that built in welding machine lol and my tank trips it lol

 

[acroholic]

downtime89;419982 wrote: all the stuff i try to run on my tank tripps the breaker on our farm generator its a huge one at that built in welding machine lol and my tank trips it lol

That shouldn't be happening. I'd look for a short in a piece of your equipment. Start with the heater, then on to powerheads. 90% of the time it is one of those two.
Dave

 

[jonathan]

Generally the cheaper units deliver very dirty power. I opted for a Honda inverter since I wanted to be able to use it to power potentially sensitive electronics. It produces a clean sine wave but was quite a bit more expensive than the units designed for construction/power tools. Not all generators are created equal.

 

[downtime89]

thanks archolic i will look i know today i found out i have stray electricity in my tank and alot of it it shocked the hell out of me i already ordered a ground probe