RD> I've been scanning some of the messages about UPS's, and I'd like
 RD> some help, because I am thinking of getting one.  I noticed that some
 RD> people were saying that a computer UPS could not handle the strain of a
 RD> fish tank.  This confuses me.  I would have thought that my computer
 RD> would draw siginificantly more power than a heater and an air pump.
 RD> Also, I noticed that APC (the maker of my computer UPS) was advertising
 RD> in AQUARIUM FISH magazine.  Does anyone have any experience with this
 RD> brand on their fish tank?
I have been watching this topic for some time, so I would like to
give you my input on your question.  First, a very quick statement
on my background...I owned and managed a tropical fish store for
over 10 years, and have owned and managed an electronics retail and
service store for 20 years.  With that out of the way, YES, Bobby, you
CAN run your pump from a UPS.  However, there are a few things that have
to be considered...every UPS has a maximum wattage output, depending
on the unit, that it can generate. The people who have said that it
would not work are correct, IF, they mean that you could not run, say, a
pump that would draw 100 watts on a UPS that has an output of 50 watts
What you would need to do is determine the TOTAL wattage of EVERYTHING
that you wish to run through the UPS, and be certain the capacity of the
UPS exceeds this amount of wattage.  For instance, I am sitting here
looking at a AT-800 UPS, which at this time is happily running 2
computers, 2 monitors, 3 cd rom drives, 2 printers, a cash register,
an adding machine, and, a 13" color tv.  After removing the internal
battery and remotely installing 2 Diehards, it will run this system
for almost 4 hours.  Remember, the more current you draw through the
UPS, the more reserve you need in your battery. (also, you mentioned
heater...as a resistive load, they can draw TONS of power). So, in
closing, of course you can do it...as they say, watts is watts, the
UPS could care less if it is running a 'puter, or a hedge clipper, or
your favorite fish tank, as long as the UPS has more current capacity
than whatever load you are hooking up to it.  Another thought, if you
don't want to put out the money for a UPS (you are also paying for
frequency stabality, which your pump and heater don't care about),
you might want to consider running down to the closest sports shop
and buying a bait-well pump...hook it up to an old car battery...will
run for about a week without recharging.  Good luck to you!
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