Rollin' Blackouts, what's your backup?

[Dale Torok]

Three years ago I bought a gasoline generator. Two years ago we had a power outage that lasted 2 1/2 days. I don't recall the rating of this generator I have, but it generated enough power to run all our filters and aeration for the pond with enough left over to run our refridgerator, several lights and a television in the house. We can get by with that, and did.

The only complaint I had is that the generator had a gas tank that held less than 2 gallons. I had to watch it and fill it up with gas too often for my liking. I need to quit putting off fitting it with a larger gas tank so it can run all night the next time I may need to use it.

Dale

[koiczar]

Dale

Good plan on the gas tank. The one I borrowed from my neighbor put out 3000 watts with 2 circuits of 20 amps each. More than enough to do what you mentioned. This one has a 4 gallon tank and ran from midnight last night til about 9:30 this morning on a bit less than 2 gallons!! Saved our butts too!!LOL

Mike

[philhunter]

I have a 12 KW solar electric system that supplies electricity during the day. Unfortunately, SCE required it be installed in such a manner that it drops off line in the event the power is off, so it does not feed back into the grid. I have a 5 KW generator and can disconnect from the grid and power with the generator. When the solar sees this power it comes back on again, so I am in good shape during the day. Nightime is another matter.


Phil

[jnorth]

When the power goes out I fire up the generator. Its worth the investment.

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Sorry, but your Plants for Oxygen Plan doesn't hold water (pardon the pun). Plants only produce oxygen during the daytime. Come nighttime, the process reverses; plants consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide-- which only worsens the problem. So you'd only win with that strategy if the power's back on before the sun goes down.

Point well made, but the primary plan for me is more water than fish with plants as a suppliment. Just as much for Nitrate consumption assistance in a crisis as an O2 source. My thinking revolves around the notion (possibly misguided) that cooler water temps overnight will offset the plants reversal of O2/CO2 production/consumption... Or I could be full of $&!^! Its happened before, I've seen it

[bigred]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth When the power goes out I fire up the generator. Its worth the investment.

Same jnorth, I have 3500 watt generator which powers my reef tank and my pond when the power goes out. Just wish it was quieter.

[koinut]

Here's my generator.

[Sangreaal]

If we have an extended blackout, since I'm doing a flow through routine right now with well-water (takes electricity to pump), I'm pretty well fubar'ed. The only emergency measure I can think of would be to tap into the irrigation ditch that is 30' away and siphon into the pond--which I don't want to have to do if I can help it because my pond is way cooler than the irrigation water and I don't want to import alien pathogens if I can help it.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth When the power goes out I fire up the generator. Its worth the investment.

Ditto, we bought one two years ago, It will run all our equipment on both of our main ponds.

[aquitori]

So it looks like a generator is the best bet for those newbies out there who are suffering with questions on what to do.