I'm thinking of investing in a 12v pump as an emergency backup that will run off a backup battery. I have been looking around and found nothing specifically for aquarium use. I have found bilge pumps that would be about the right flow rate and come as either 12 or 24 volt units... the kind you would install in a boat.

Thoughts and comments please

are we expecting a power outage anytime soon?
last time something took out the grid for days i was ooohhh, not even born yet!
lol. sounds like a wise investment milsy! have u checked out the camping & quality pump stores for extra options. give aquatrad in dandenong a call & see if they have anything to offer, but im assuming your prob on the right track as it is

In the 2 years that I have been here in Melbourne, we have had 2 power outages. One lasted about an hour (no big deal) but the other one was about 6 hours long. Thought some insurance would be a good idea (i.e. a battery backup)

wow really, in the 7years ive been in melb ive only experenced one 45min power outage. i was speaking to a few blokes about your pump idea, they have boats & said they have them as you'd expect on the water, running off 2 marine batteries! only thing they said was watch the heat transfer.