Hurricanes and Power Outages

[jpjn]

Here we are beginning yet another hurricane season here in FL. Back in 2004 we were hit by 3 of the 4 hurricanes to hit FL. Back then I only had smaller tanks with Angelfish. I was not at all prepared and yet managed to keep all of my fish alive for a total of 2 weeks without power. Didn't have a generator or battery air pump either! It was seriously AWFUL! I had to manualy scoop and pour the tanks (2 tanks then) water for 5 minutes straight...every half hour....day AND NIGHT! I didn't sleep. It sucked so bad!

Anyway, I now have big tanks and big fish as well as even more tanks, and hurricanes are apt to hit this year. I would like some ideas from those who have been through this and had success. I do have a generator now, a small one. I couldn't run it for 24 hours a day, no way. I was also just thinking about the price of gas and how they're saying it will go above $4 a gallon this summer. I'd have to spend hundreds on gas cans and filling up the cans!

I just read this:
http://www.aquariumworld.net/hurricane.htm

But I'd appreciate any tips from you hurricane survivors.

 

[johnptc]

the two main solutions i see are:

1) generator... i would prefer diesel as its safer to store...but there are some very nice small gas units.....

2) use a solid state system with storage batteries and an inverter ( 12vdc to 110 vac) used in boats and rv all the time.

add as many batteries as you need/want/afford and size the inverter to the max load you want to handle in an emergency.

 

[ewurm]

I would be scared to live in Florida. I don't mind a little wind, but I don't want my fish going belly up when the power goes out.

If any Florida Member has a problem this summer, I would be happy to donate some electricity. I can email it to you! LOL

 

[id10t]

Plants will help lots...

You can get an inverter from walmart for $30 that will create 400+ watts of 110 power from a 12v battery... i used one running off either my lawn mower or Nissan Altima, it would run our fridge and some lights, or lights, tv, satellite, dvd/vcr and some fans, etc. You could easily run a few filters, etc. with it.

I now have a generator...

 

[merc123]

An inverter would be good and would run off a car battery. Additionally, to recharge the batter you just put it on your car and let it run

The inverter is cheaper than a generator but a generator will probably be your best bet for long term...

 

[johnptc]

the best way to use an inverter is with a bank of lead acid batteries that are keep charged by the AC.

when there is no ac it is reversed and it will supply AC.

power is determined by the size of the inverter( wattage).
how long it will run is by the size of your battery bank ( amp hours).
best inverters include the charger in them. ( $$$)

 

[jpjn]

Thanks everyone for some ideas. One major problem here in FL which begins the moment there is even a possibility that we might be hit by a hurricane, people go nutz buying gas and then it's GONE. Impossible to get, sometimes for weeks. They also ration the gas at the pumps. Generators eat up gas real quick. I'd have to start now with storing it somewhere. Setting aside a can a week. I just know I don't want to watch my fish die!

I have a small generator which can't run 24 hours a day. So I'm trying to figure something else to use in between while the generator rests.

 

[cjohll]

diesel gens are way too much$$. You would waste too much power just running the equipment off the gen. You can buy a bunch of somwhat chep batteries or a few realy good ones and charge them for a hour or so a day and shut the generator off. also if you run the bare minimum of equipment like just the filters your batteries wil last alot longer.

 

[jpjn]

ONE MORE QUESTION:

Hw long do you suppose a car battery would run the filters for before needing a charge?
And... how long does it take to charge a car battery???

I know... that was TWO questions.

 

[jpjn]

Oh, I can't have plants in all of my tanks. My green Severum and Silver Dollars will devour them. It's already happened.