New 210 Gal tank Build!!

FishBeard said:
Build your own battery backups. They are ridiculously simple to put together at a fraction of the cost for OEM ones from ecotech. There are plans floating around the net for the DIY. You can build 3 or 4 for the same price as one ecotech backup.

That or just invest in a generator, it's the smartest option if cost isn't a huge issue.
Click to expand...

WHAT!!! Where are these alleged homemade battery backup plans!!
 
My opinion.

I have a 210 and 75, with battery back-up, and LED for both. I use an eheim 1260 and 1262 (internal for both to keep heat). As for back-ups, IMO, what you pay for is the immediate switch over, and the battery. I made a DIY backup to run my (2) returns, (2) skimmers, and a few other pumps, mp40's, etc. I've added more to it's load since I made it, and it runs for around 16+ hours, but I used (3) deep cycle marine batteries, which cost way more than the echotech back-up, but does way more. I used a contactor I made to auto change over, so all pumps keep moving, with no hick-up. With a generator, it all stops, until you restart manually, then salt splash until your sump goes back to normal level, and your skimmer overflows, causing possible stress for days to come. With echotech, I'm guessing it's automatic, but I think it goes to half power. Mine stays in full power mode, all vitals keep going automagically. To each their own. Echotec's isn't that expensive when you factor buying a good (or a few) batteries, a set of contacts, a charger, and inverter. Your needs may be different, home time to start a generator, life style/storage of such, money in tank you don't want to die, etc.
For LED's, I disagree with "they are better color than metal halide", to a point. I like mine very much, I've got reefledlights.com DIY, very happy, but there are many types of lights I like. I don't really think one is better than another, they all have pro's and cons. Beauty is in the eye... LED I use grows sps awesome. "Better color" is an opinion. The fact is, LED work very well, low electric consumption, low heat. They are hard to beat. I use them. Gus's look very nice. It may be worth a try.
 
Also, for flow on my 210, (2) mp40's work well. As for 3-4 battery backups being made for the price of 1 echotech, that is only possible if you buy very small batteries, and have an inverter laying around that works. I have a true sine wave inverter, so it is accurate power. You can try a modified sine wave, but many pumps chatter with it , or won't even work. The deep cycle batteries I have are a 29 or 31 size frame. Unless you steal them, you will spend much more to make a DIY, but it will last much longer and run more stuff. Walmart sells the largest ones by my house IIRC, they were $90 each. Just the battery. You could use a AGM or a gel, but in the larger ones, you are at a couple hundred each. Echotech's not as expensive as it seems, when you look around to make a QUALITY back-up. But then again, you can make a cheap one too. If you make a cheap one, test it a few times, a month or two apart, and then make up your mind if you want to rely on it. Cheap chargers may not be "friendly" to your battery, cheap batteries may not be friendly to you, and cheap inverters may not treat your equipment nice. Your equipment also plays a role. Some pumps require a true sine wave. I have found maxijets chatter with a modified sine(they work, but noisy), and external panworld won't start.
 
HMmm so go with Ehiems? so what would you reccomend for mine the 1262s?
I am going to pick up Gus's Led's and very interesting take on the ecotechs back up!
Taylor how much did it cost you to build your battery back ups?
 
I used a 1260 for a long time. I'm using a 1262 now. For the back-up, I wrote a thread on RC last year on it with pics. I think I spent $800? It went from only running (2) skimmers, (2) returns, and (2) mp 40's, then added 2 more mp40's, my acjr, dosers, top off, and a couple other things since my RC thread. Went from 21+ hours (I think) down to 16+, I never pushed it to find out where exactly, that's why the +.

My back-up is another reason I run my exhaust fan 24/7 (besides skimmer smell and humidity). Lead acid batteries can release gas at times.
 
If all you are going to power is an echotech mp40, yes, you can build a cheaper unit. But... With a cheaper home made unit... How much room will it take up? How long will it (battery life time) last? Will it be automatic? How is charging handled? Mine does take up some room. I wanted more than just a powerhead though. During an outage, my mp40's continue on full settings. Tanks won't even know it happened. Did I go overboard? Yep. But, if we ever loose power for a month or more, my tanks will make it. :)
 
Whooo hooo so I just placed the order for 2 mp 40s 2 eheim 2462 pumps pinpoint monitors (ph, calcium, temp) that ran me around $1742 and place my order with Anthony at NanoSeaCreations for a custom sump of 68inX 18in for skimmer/ return/ Giant FUGE :) that will be ready in two weeks!!! Ill be getting my package from Aquacave tomorrow so I will have pictures for you guys. Then in two weeks ill have the sump done. So really two more things left to do. Sand and re-paint stand/canopy and buy lights!! Ill be going with LED.
 
View attachment 6260
So I know everyone has been waiting for me to update I have even received texts on this lol so here is my sump from Anthony at Nano Sea Creations! Amazing job on this! Once I get moved in about a month Ill have a lot more photos! so this sump is 60inx 18inx 18in i think lol its been a while since i had givin the measurements!!
 
View attachment 6262

So I know everyone has seen pics from my 55gal! When I moved in april I had a bad tank crash and lost everything even half my fish! It was very sad to see so many beautiful corals and fish die. But here is what is left My 2 original clown fish and a cromis that is hiding that I had taken as he was a fighter until he came to my tank and was tamed down! So Looks like for my 210!!! I will be starting from scratch!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top