generator questions... power out

We have a 3600W generator that is more than enough for the tank, a few lights, microwave etc. I really want to get a whole house generator installed at some point.

 

you can get a wattmeter at menards for around 20 to 30 dollars then you can add up just how much you will need

 

Ok I'm probably going to get a backlashing on this but to me the only thing really needed to keep a tank a float until main power comes back is something to move the water around to keep oxygen in the water and then the heater to keep it at temp. So with that in mind a 1500VA 865W battery backup with a load of 100W would power both a pump/power head and heater for a little over a hour. I highly doubt the two together need 100W. At 50W of load the backup would last 2 hrs and 15 minutes. The unit runs $240 tho. Much cheaper than a generator but I do understand that it doesn't power as much equipment.

 

Samsclub sells a 3800 watt for 299. Made by blackmax.

 

I bought a 6000 watt generator for roughly 700. Best purchase ever. Just a few of my fish make up for that. All about perspective! I can understand if funds are limited but go bigger. If its summer, 90 degrees, and your power goes out for 6 hrs its nice to run tanks and ac off one. I had a pole that required.over 8 hrs of maintenance last year that my generator saved my butt. I dont think alot of stores sell them anymore its all online now. Or at least lowes home depot etc.

 

I agree with MXC. Living in Iowa , whether it's summer or winter storms, doesn't matter. We have been entrusted to care for our fish, corals and inverts so we should do whatever we can to ensure their survival. If that means buying a generator so be it. We bought ours years ago and it keeps everything needed running...fridge/freezer, fish tanks, etc. Crank it up a couple/few times during the year just to ensure that it's ready when needed :0)

 

I know by live in the country that I will never be with out one. Just like today when I came home from Cedar Rapids the power was out for 1hr. I run a 6800 watt and can run my whole house. Back in 2010 we had a big ice storm that took power lines down and we had no power for 5 days went through alot of gas but everything would work.

 

I remember that ice storm... we had power out for 2 days and I live in SE cedar rapids. We didn't have a saltwater tanks then, but I've been thinking about that specific storm recently and thinking we need something as well.