May 3, 200719 yr comment_160849 Need advice I'm wanting to set something up that will keep the tank going in the event of a power cut if nobody around. The biggest risk is overheating as in summer the room the tank is in commonly reaches 35 degrees. What I want is some kind of setup, possibly run from a car battery, that will run a fan, plus an air pump. I need something that will detect if the power goes off, and immediately activate an air pump, there would be some air stones in the tank and this would provide enough circulation to keep things ticking over for a few hours. Also it would need to detect tank temperature and turn on a fan if need be. Of course the lights would not be on so just one fan ought to do it. The thing is the whole set up needs to be reasonably budget, I don't have the money to set up a fully automated set up with a generator etc. If I could just have an air pump, plus a fan that is temperature controlled, that will probably keep most problems at bay for a few hours if I wasn't home. Report
May 3, 200719 yr comment_160853 PM me next week. I'm away with work all weekend in Auckland. I can help you out with some of this at a really good price (like $20 for battery and fan)!! You'll still need a fan and relay etc but i can help you with that as well. Will be able to work on it for you when I get back. Report
May 4, 200719 yr comment_160905 Heck Wasp - ya must have too much time on your hands to worry about what might go wrong. Now ya got me worrying too - just when I thought I had my tank running 'sweet'! :lol: Report
May 4, 200719 yr comment_160911 why not try a UPS? a reasonable one will only cost about $150-$200 and would run a small air pump and a small fan for ages (about 4hrs or more) having said that Warren's idea sounds very interesting. and cheap, i would be intrested to hear how that works. Report
May 4, 200719 yr comment_160956 If you have a power cut for up to 12 hours that should not be a problem. We have had power cuts for up to 8 hours and the tank had no problems. Report
May 4, 200719 yr Author comment_161088 On a hot day it might, the office gets so hot I can't even work up here sometimes. UPS could be a goer, I could rig it to my existing fans via the temp controller. Simple! Only thing would be how to tell the air pump to come on when the power goes off? Anyhow i'll see what Warren comes up with. Often the cheap ideas have merit, because they are the ones the poorer classes like myself can actually afford to do! Report
May 4, 200719 yr comment_161093 Good Thinking we spend all this money on our tanks such a large investment. Some very good information here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/poweroutagefaqs.htm Im sure I seen battery powered air pumps at HFF? Reef do the IKS or other computers have a function for power outage? Its a interesting subject But one of the best investments for a tanks well being is a quarantine tank, Why do I say this? Because I"ve just lost all my fish to MV This wont happen again. I hope everyone can learn from my lesson because when these things get in your tank it really to late. Sorry to get off topic Report
May 4, 200719 yr Author comment_161118 WOW! Sorry to hear that Sharkey! You're not the only one there's a couple of other guys lost their fish in the last few weeks, also, they think, to MV. Maybe a batch came into the country recently. Good link BTW Report
May 5, 200719 yr comment_161155 Thinking about a no fish in the tank approach just the inverts and corals I've got 16oooL of flow in there at the moment not bad for a 300L tank Report
May 9, 200719 yr comment_161837 Back now so I'll get onto it. PM me your fax number so I can send you a sketch. Report
May 9, 200719 yr Author comment_161864 Yes well if I'm techno enough, and after getting Warrens permission, I'll do it. Report
May 11, 200719 yr comment_162131 Fax sent. It only covers running the fan but a 12V airpump needs only be connected to the same place as the fan in the circuit to get air as well. Not sure if you can get 12V airpumps... Report
May 11, 200719 yr Author comment_162177 Thanks Warren, when I get home I'll try to scan it & post for the others. Report
May 11, 200719 yr comment_162185 The drawing is a bit rough. If I get time I could do a proper CAD drawing of the circuit and post it. As some 230V connections are required only qualified people should actually attempt to make the circuit... Report
May 11, 200719 yr Author comment_162204 Well here it is, didn't come through the best on the fax. You may wish to post a better one Warren. Well thought out though, and certainly cheap! Report
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