Monsoon! AC/DC Air Pumps save the night.

[islandguy11]

Just wondering how many fellow fish keepers are using AC/DC air pumps on there tanks nowadays?

I already had 2 of these (Kintons KTA9000 on a 115 gallon and a Hailea CP-60 on a 375 gallon) and luckily had just purchased a third one (RS Electric RS-9000) a couple of days ago for a newly set up Arowana grow out tank -- because last night a hellish monsoon storm blew through our area and the electricity was out for about 5 hr.

Unfortunately my usual back-up (car battery hooked up to an inverter) was at the shop being charged. But my ac/dc pumps saved the night, kicking on automatically and then running the whole time. Besides the air stones and sponge filters in the tanks, I also have air stones that I can open at the bottom of my main, internal corner filters (under the bags of bio-media), so could keep the beneficial bacteria of these going as well.





Downsides of AC/DC air pumps are that they're more expensive, usually somewhat louder, and for sure larger sized for the same air output so as to accommodate the internal back-up battery etc. -- but for me the peace of mind and safety of my fish (esp. if I'm not home) is well worth these trade offs.

I mostly only have easy access to pumps from China market, would be interested to see others you might be using on your tanks.

 

[TheWolfman]

Sounds like you were prepared. That’s pretty cool I’ve never seen those before. I have been meaning to get my hands on a ups to hook up to my air pump and filters.

 

[islandguy11]

Sounds like you were prepared. That’s pretty cool I’ve never seen those before. I have been meaning to get my hands on a ups to hook up to my air pump and filters.

I had a ups on one of the tanks, but it went kapoot recently -- ups are good, esp. with shorter power outages, though you need a bigger (and not cheap) unit to deal with longer outages.

I've also had dependability problems with ups after using them for about a year. I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't connect power bars with surge protectors (only straight up extension cords for each appliance connected) as these may cause issues with the ups, but I'm not sure, worth googling for more info.

 

[jeffers]

you should hook a battery charger and transfer switch to your battery and inverter set up. that way you can enlarge the battery bank and be able to keep the tank running a lot longer than any ups. will also be automatic.

 

[islandguy11]

you should hook a battery charger and transfer switch to your battery and inverter set up. that way you can enlarge the battery bank and be able to keep the tank running a lot longer than any ups. will also be automatic.

Thanks jeffers, yes what I'm after is a (relatively affordable) automatic system. Of course I know what a battery charger is but not a transfer switch -- any pic or link you could post mate?

 

[jeffers]

pretty easy to wire up. the most expensive part is the battery bank if you want everything to be able to run longer.

 

[Galantspeedz]

i have a ranger 9000 acdc pump but battery is kaput and i am lazy to go change the battery... hope i don't regret my decision

 

[islandguy11]

pretty easy to wire up. the most expensive part is the battery bank if you want everything to be able to run longer.]

Thanks jeffers, will have to see if I can find something like that on the island.

i have a ranger 9000 acdc pump but battery is kaput and i am lazy to go change the battery... hope i don't regret my decision

About how long did the battery last before dying Galantspeed?

 

[Galantspeedz]

Thanks jeffers, will have to see if I can find something like that on the island.



About how long did the battery last before dying Galantspeed?

It was passed on to me by another person and i was using it till 1 day i realised the battery died while cleaning so I am not too sure but I searched online and it seems the lifespan is around 2-3 years