Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

I am planning a backup system for my setup. A am currently running 2x 1000L FTs( as separate systems with their own GB's). I have no experience with 12v components so I didn't really want to start playing around with batteries and relays etc.

So my plant is to purchase a decent air pump similar to this http://www.boyu-australia.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=85_77&products_id=105 Hailea 35w 60lpm unit and then run it through a UPS (from gumtree http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/marangaroo/other-electronics-computers/eaton-powerware-5115-ups/1009235421 or similar). With the one pump feeding both tanks. I figure with a UPS similar to the one shown I would get a few hours run time. Not long, but we rarely have power outages here in Perth and virtually never more than a couple of hours.

Does this sound like an OK plan or can I make a better setup easily?

Ay feedback would be welcome.

Will

I would be wary of buying a second hand UPS - the batteries are more then likely cactus, but your idea is a sound one.

Brand new UPS $99 http://www.ple.com.au/ViewItem.aspx?InventoryItemID=601673&CategoryID=365 - not quiet the same spec but should be more than enough to run an air pump for a couple of hours.

Brand new UPS $109 http://www.ple.com.au/ViewItem.aspx?InventoryItemID=601359&CategoryID=365 - almost exactly the same spec as the one you have linked to on gumtree.

Thanks for the conformation arbe.

Thats the same back up system Im using BigWill

Although, Im using the Hailea 100lpm piston pump (noisy bugger) through a UPS. I was lucky enough to score a new UPS for free.

You can check my back up in my system thread, take from chainsaws 12 volt backup thread. Knew nothing about 12 volt myself and never expected the power to be off more than a couple of days.

Well you will read that the power was off for 5 days and it took both the battery and gen set to get me and chainsaw through the blackout. Glad I followed his advise because NO ONE expected the power to be off that long.

[quote NO ONE expected the power to be off that long.[/quote]

I'm with you Bear, its all very well to have a light duty back up for minor interuptions but as soon as you get that unexpected major problem you'l regret not doing it all properly.

A system that keeps you going for a couple of hours isnt going to help if the power drops out while your snoozing through the night. Especially if your heavily stocked through the warmer months.

One other point also if you have a failiure with a water or air pump in your main system you can run on the back up until you get things fixed or replaced.

As part of my routine monthly maintanance now, I shut the power down and let my systems run on their back ups for an hour or so while I clean pumps and filters.
This gives me the peace of mind knowing that in the event something goes pear shaped when I'm not around my systems and fish are still OK for several hours.

Thanks for those comments CC and BF. I may reconsider my plan now.

If I wanted to run the air pump all the time could I just hook up a 12v air pump to a battery that in turn was connected to a smart charger. So I just run the air pump off the battery 24/7 and if the power goes out the battery just takes over?


Will

You would have that with a UPS and a 'normal' pump as the UPS gives you 240v.

Keep UPS plugged into mains at all times and your air pump as well. If power goes out air pump will continue for a number of hours.

Just remember to occasionally pull the mains and test the UPS.

Slightly off topic...
Y'all discuss the loss of power like it is more common than I would have imagined. So... is it lines getting knocked out, or something else?

I've had power outages, of course... a car accident, an occasional lightning strike...

Or is it that I haven't internalized the damage to the fish if the system stops? Pictures of dead fish aren't the same as one's own dead fish... ?

Western Australia which I am based power outages happen a couple times a year. Can vary from a hour to several days and I am on the outskirts of a town of 32000.
The higher population areas are targeted first for getting power back on so if your in a regional area it can take even longer. Last major storm I was down for 2 days but parents place it took about 10 days.

Big area to cover, about 96,000 km of powerline and just a million customers.
Mostly above ground power lines on poles, with most sub lines on wood poles. Attacked by whiteants, storms, fire, vehicles etc.

bigwll.
Better to use a dc power supply, 13.8v or whatever the float voltage of the battery is. The load on the battery can fool smart chargers into thinking its flat and cause it to charge at too high a voltage for too long.

In Queensland we have bad storms and floods are the main trouble. The storm a couple of weeks ago knocked out one of the main transmission lines for the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. The hinterland was the main area effected.

You would have to give it a trail to ensure that your battery is maintaining charge so if the power has gone off you are still capable of the air pump running for a few hours. I test mine every week to ensure it is running as well as a monthly run of the complete back up system for a day.