Aquarium electrical equipment tripped circuit breaker

[Jet915]

Hi,
I have an electrical question. Ive got a 100 gallon reef aquarium that requires two 12 outlet power strips. One of the strips uses all 12 outlets while the other uses 6 of the outlets. Both were plugged into the same wall outlet. Well, today, I noticed that the circuit breaker tripped and everything was off in the aquarium. Luckily I was home and was able to reset the breaker so the tank was only off for 30 minutes or so. The only thing ive changed is I moved one power strip plug from one outlet to another outlet but both are part of the same curcuit breaker so im not even sure that changes anything.

Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and what they did to resolve this. Just call an electrician? Im worried this will happen again when no one is home. Ive had the tank running for about 8 months and its the first time this has happened...

 

[Daddi0]

Mine started to trip everytime my t5s turned on. I switched to LEDs and ran a new dedicated circuit to be sure I had enough power.
Cheers! Mark

 

[five.five-six]

Licenced C10 electrical contractor here with 30 years in the trade.

First thing you need to understand is that a circuit breaker is a thermal magnetic device beaning the hotter it is, the easier they will trip

The next thing you need to understand is E=I/R. Skip past the math of that and what it says is that the lower the voltage, the more current you need to accomplish the same work.

With every AC on today, your line voltage was probably a few volts lower than usual.

The best thing to do is have a dedicated GFCI circute or two or three if needed but that could be a significant cost.

How old is the home?

 

[Jet915]

Home was built in 2002. Someone mentioned that a hot circuit box draws more energy and can also cause the circuit to trip. Make sense since it was 115 outside when this tripped. Right now, Im moving some non essential electrical items to a different circuit, hopefully that will help...

 

[o2manyfish]

Great device I started installing are GFI with Audible alarms. I have over 10 circuits dedicated to the system. But a circuit can be tripped right next to you and you never know it.

With the audible GFI's when they go off, you will find out without looking at a dark and still fish tank.

Also when you buy your GFI's... Don't be a cheapskate. Buy extra's. GFI's on my aquarium have about a 20 month life span and then become troublesome. Make sure you have a spare on hand. When they fail it will always be at an inconvenient time.

Dave B

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

You are going to have to split the load in the very least.
Unless you are comfortable working in the panel an electrician is the best & safest route.

 

[pciscott]

1 power strip per circuit and never plug a power strip into a power strip. Also drip loops so water cannot run down cords, and make sure no power is where a splash can land on a outlet. A power strip laying on floor pointing upward exposed to any drips or splashes that is not on a GFI can easily start a fire.

Also now that your circuit went it will go easier the next time and sometimes breakers that go off should be replaced. I would take this warning and split your circuits and be thankful you were home!