Protect Your Reef Tank From Power Outages!

[@jdmferio0711]

This kind of information is invaluable! My family has gotten back into the hobby after about 4 years without a tank. We never ran into this issue but it definitely puts it on my mind when it hadn't even crossed my mind. Appreciate the information with every video!

[@BRStv]

We're glad you liked it!

[@Arborpress]

To anyone thinking about buying a battery backup meant for PCs… I purchased a $300 one with the intention of only powering my small 500gph return pump (20g nano tank). I did not experience a power outage before buying it but over the 3 years I’ve had it I experienced 3 power outages, each lasting on average 8-12 hours. For $300, each time it’s only bought me 5-6 hours of pump run time before going out. Definitely not that long of time but in the heat of the moment, you’ll be very glad you have as much time as you can get off of it. I have battery powered airstone pumps as a backups within an emergency kit I put together. Those emergency aluminum foil looking blankets do a great job of maintaining heat when wrapped around the tank as well.

[@BRStv]

If you're using DC pumps, and you're at home during the outage, you could also manually turn the flow down to conserve even more power if needed. Thanks for the comment!

[@deanfielding4411]

Bit overkill but I got a Tesla Powerwall with backup gateway for the whole house. It’s awesome.

[@jamesbryan1285]

USB air pumps and heaters can be run from your laptop battery for a short time in a pinch. You can also have a couple of USB power block always charged for more time. I have small tanks though.

[@waterbird-s5q]

there are lots of whole home battery options now, especially useful if you have solar panels. You can set the battery gateway to protect one circuit of you house (fish tank room). And, given the amount people spend on their aquariums and stocking, they are relatively cheap.

[@bensimpson4091]

they now have backup that can power your fridge and tv for 3 days so can easily run your tank in limp mode for a week.. they are also only about $4,000AUD

[@madshepsreef282]

Great video thanks guys

[@BRStv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@84latinray]

When my power went out for 6 hrs every 30 mins I would get a jug grab tank water and throwing back in the tank 5 times each time everything was fine

[@BRStv]

That's dedication!

[@lisademayo8589]

I'm going to work on this project this week. Can ya'll tell me what "size wattage" generator one would need to power a 300w heater? I never have known how to figure that out. I just looked it up and got 3 different answers lol

[@BRStv]

The easiest way to figure this out would be to calculate the power draw of the equipment you want running on the generator during the power outage, and make sure that your generator wattage is above that.

[@zakarymcleod1850]

I lost almost everything in my tank during Hurricane Milton earlier this year. We lost power for over a week and I wasn't even there because I evacuated for Helene the week before and wasn't able to return. I'm not sure how I could have prevented the tank death since I can't just stick a gas generator in my apartment and the battery air pumps don't last too long. I guess thats a risk when you live in Florida, but it sucks

[@BRStv]

Sorry to hear that! I wish there was a better option for people in your situation.

[@jjdawg9918]

This is the number one reason I gave up on reefing because you can never go on vacation unless you go the auto-start natural gas generator + transfer switch etc. OR a massive tesla powerwall/solar combo.

[@user-cococolj]

🇷🇺👍

[@antonioraigoza8352]

You bring a speaker to talk, yet you do all the talking 😂 and interrupt him.

[@evolutionXXVII]

I think that's an unfair criticism. They both have experience and they both shared it.

[@antonioraigoza8352]

I like Thomas, don’t get me wrong, but I think he was just not in the right mindset for this interview, sometimes he needs keep his thoughts to himself and let his guest do the talking, especially when it comes to power outages with a founder from ecotec, an innovative company with tons more knowledge than him

[@ThomasBReef]

@antonioraigoza8352 I appreciate the feedback! I've been in the hobby for 22 years, I have a lot of practical experience with power outages with reef aquariums. It is also worth mentioning that this was meant to be a collaborative video, not so much an interview. But I am super glad to hear you enjoyed hearing from Patrick! Hopefully that encourages him to get in front of the camera more. 😉

[@antonioraigoza8352]

Hey Thomas. I understand you have a ton of knowledge, and you’re an amazing reefer, and it’s your hobby, and now occupation. But Patrick founded ecotec in 2003, gives him 21 years that he and his colleagues designed the calcium reactor we know and love today. Not sure how long he’s been reefing but your should’ve asked him more questions and get him to share his opinions, whether or not it was a collaboration. There is a time and place to share all your knowledge, which I enjoy in all your other videos, this was not one of them. But yes I would enjoy knowing more about Patrick’s reefing and engineering journey. Those videos would blow up.