UPS for your discus tank?

[laupao]

Hello Everyone,


Does anyone use a UPS for their discus tank? A name brand would be APC..

In the event of a power outage, especially during winter, it would be nice to have a UPS..to support especially the heater and air pump.

What are your thoughts?

[Skip]

UPS?! like FED EX?

[Larry Bugg]

I think a UPS typically only holds a charge for only a couple of hours max. I had a power outage due to a thunder storm this weekend that lasted for about 4 to 5 hours. A UPS would have been dead long before the power came back on and would have been virtually usless for me. JMO but you really need to think in terms of dealing with a long term power outage vs a short term one. The only answer for that is a generator.

4 to 5 hours without power had no ill affects on my tanks.

[Skip]

ERIC.. you need to add some acronyms to you list

[laupao]

Buggman,

What did you do to manage the 4-5hrs of the power outage? What did u do for your tanks to ensure your discus are ok until the power came back?
My main concern is the heater, especially during the winter

please share.

Thanks so much

[hedut]

I got 5 - 8 hrs power out, buy air pump battery, and make sure you have lids at your tank will help

[Larry Bugg]

I didn't do anything. A power outage due to a summer thunderstorm in Ga doesn't usually result in a very long outage so I wasn't worried about the fish. I was more concerned with myself and no AC lol. Winter would be a different story and a power outage would probably result in a longer outage, maybe days. I don't have a back up plan. Really need to invest in a generator. I've been lucky up to now.

[laborelch]

I have UPS on my two bigger tanks and the only reason is that I live in a town with lots of little power fluctuations/outages. Most of them are very short and I just want to make sure that my equipment (FX5 and Eheim filters) keep running and don't get damaged by those outages and power surges. For longer outages, a UPS does nothing. Mine are 1500 amps and I get about 40-45min out of them. Also have battery powered air pumps for shorter outages (less than 6-8 hrs). Use a generator for longer outages and only connect what's necessary to keep your fish breathing.

[Larry Bugg]

Well I only have canisters on two tanks but they also have sponge filters. If you are running canisters only there might be a value to them. I have read that the bacteria in a canister can die off pretty quickly?

[discuspaul]

UPS?! like FED EX?

ERIC.. you need to add some acronyms to you list

Skip, your posts are absolutely outrageous, but precious - love them !
Without you, sometimes this forum would be just a little dull.

[laborelch]

Well I only have canisters on two tanks but they also have sponge filters. If you are running canisters only there might be a value to them. I have read that the bacteria in a canister can die off pretty quickly?

the canisters are on my planted tank (200g) and a 90g grow out. They've all been off for about 7-8hrs with no ill effect on the bacteria. I wouldn't go much longer though... Smaller tanks (20g-40g) are with sponge filters only and battery backup air pumps work well there.

[Skip]

thanks paul.. but i still dont' know what UPS is..

[Larry Bugg]

thanks paul.. but i still dont' know what UPS is..

Lol, I thought you were being serious for once. Uninterrupted power supply. Used a lot on computers. In case of a power outage they give you time to close and save your data before the computer shuts down.

[Skip]

Lol, I thought you were being serious for once. Uninterrupted power supply. Used a lot on computers. In case of a power outage they give you time to close and save your data before the computer shuts down.

OOOOH!!!! i SEE said the BLIND MAN

[discuspaul]

See - you did it again ! Keeps us all laughing & in good spirits.
And you know what - I didn't know what UPS was either.