i also buy a bunch of the hot hand things but the boot ones . just in case u can alway stick them to the tank to keep itwarm ive done in the past
There's no natural gas on my block, so a whole house generator gets difficult. We'd need not only the outdoor generator but also a large outdoor propane tank. Otherwise, I agree, the whole house generator hooked up to a natural gas line with an automatic transfer switch would be very nice.
I use my generator. Run return pumps and heater and stuff in house.
i also buy a bunch of the hot hand things but the boot ones . just in case u can alway stick them to the tank to keep itwarm ive done in the past
Just to throw it out there in case any newer reefers are getting sticker shock reading this thread, and don't know about the good old B11
If you are on a budget and want a little bit of cheap insurance, Pen plax makes (and other companies copy for a few $ less) these great little air pumps that run on 2xD batteries, and will turn themselves on automatically when the power goes out. Less than $20 that can maintain circulation for hours, and in many cases prevent a tank crash.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000256502/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=4162056123&ref=pd_sl_3rf06s64e6_e
Just in case you didn't know.....
yup this works better than most inverter pump setup and as well as UPS. simple cheap.
The only issue you have long term over that is heat in the winter. and at that point a generator wired with a transfer switch is your best option, as it needs to be tied into your home heating to actually work on your tank. many today do not remember the damage that the ice storms of 08 did to the reefing community but it was the lack of heat that took the majority of tanks. although lack of anything will take it a lot faster. And why I always recommend the $20 battery backup first, get something in there today. Having a few is a nice fail safe and to be honest it is all you need in a short term emergency situation.
You did what I explained, with the transfer switchWhy it needs to be tied to the home heating to work in the tank?
On the October 2011 storm I was 5 days without electricity. I got the generator and extended wires from it. Later, after the storm stress, an electrician installed the transfer switch. Now I extend wires, if needed, from the home wall plugs that get electricity from the generator.
Thanks
There's no natural gas on my block, so a whole house generator gets difficult. We'd need not only the outdoor generator but also a large outdoor propane tank. Otherwise, I agree, the whole house generator hooked up to a natural gas line with an automatic transfer switch would be very nice.