PaulieWalnuts
New member
that looks sweet....Bax is right i have been trying to find out how i want to do that and i am going to do a little something like that...we don't have earth quakes in VA but a few hurricanes lol. Almost there man!
Chad's Simultaneous 225 SPS & 180 FOWLR Office Build
- Thread starter Mr. Brooks
- Start date
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Thanks guys!
So I got a quote from the electrician. I thought being a friend of a friend would mean not getting ripped off. I was wrong. He wants $750! Just to run some wires! Ridiculous. I'm just going to run the tank on the existing circuit and find out later if I even need to drop another. If I DO need to add another circuit, I'll figure out how to do it myself. The only part I'm nervous about is hooking it up to the main breaker. Maybe I'll hire someone to do that part and just run the wires myself.. We'll see.
I think I'll try to install a GFI outlet again. Hopefully it'll work this time. Anyone out there run a regular outlet? I hear people advocate GFI's all the time. But I've never had a problem without one. All I've heard really is about tank crashes caused by a GFI tripping and shutting off all the pumps. What do you guys think? GFI, yay or nay? How much risk is there of a fire? That's why you install a GFI right?
He's a fun little piece of info:
When I went to adjust some of my closed loop plumbing I noticed that I failed to glue one of the elbows! And I thought I was being so careful! That would've been a nasty flood.. Just goes to show you, if you're going to use clear glue, double check EVERY fitting. Even if you're positive you glued every piece. It's easy to overlook. Especially when you're gluing 100 plus fittings. I can't believe it didn't leak during the leak test! Crazy.
So I got a quote from the electrician. I thought being a friend of a friend would mean not getting ripped off. I was wrong. He wants $750! Just to run some wires! Ridiculous. I'm just going to run the tank on the existing circuit and find out later if I even need to drop another. If I DO need to add another circuit, I'll figure out how to do it myself. The only part I'm nervous about is hooking it up to the main breaker. Maybe I'll hire someone to do that part and just run the wires myself.. We'll see.
I think I'll try to install a GFI outlet again. Hopefully it'll work this time. Anyone out there run a regular outlet? I hear people advocate GFI's all the time. But I've never had a problem without one. All I've heard really is about tank crashes caused by a GFI tripping and shutting off all the pumps. What do you guys think? GFI, yay or nay? How much risk is there of a fire? That's why you install a GFI right?
He's a fun little piece of info:
When I went to adjust some of my closed loop plumbing I noticed that I failed to glue one of the elbows! And I thought I was being so careful! That would've been a nasty flood.. Just goes to show you, if you're going to use clear glue, double check EVERY fitting. Even if you're positive you glued every piece. It's easy to overlook. Especially when you're gluing 100 plus fittings. I can't believe it didn't leak during the leak test! Crazy.
Last edited:
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Ok, just talked to the electrician. I'm going to buy the wire and run it myself. He'll make all the connections for $150. Sweet.
PaulieWalnuts
New member
good call
Reefer Brian
In Memoriam
If I was closer, I would come by and help you out. $750 for a dedicated circuit is quite steep. Even $150 to make a connection. (See occupation). A GFI is always the safest way to protect the circuit and your equipment. I highly recommend one and have one on all circuits for my system. I have 2-20 amp circuits dedicated for my aquarium setup.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
It's about a hundred and sixty foot run from the electrical room to my office. And he'll be dropping the line between the wall and installing the outlets. I'd love to hire a fellow hobbyist. Whish you were closer! lol
BTW I posted that question on the reef discussion forum. It got quite a reaction.. 3 pages in like 2 hours lol.
BTW I posted that question on the reef discussion forum. It got quite a reaction.. 3 pages in like 2 hours lol.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Thanks Rob!
I bought 250' of metal clad #12 wire. I'm going to try to run it from the electrical room to my office tomorrow. I just need to find someone to drive me around on the fork lift. The ceiling's about 24' in the air.
I bought 250' of metal clad #12 wire. I'm going to try to run it from the electrical room to my office tomorrow. I just need to find someone to drive me around on the fork lift. The ceiling's about 24' in the air.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Thanks AB-Bug!
Reefer Brian
In Memoriam
Did you buy 12-3 or 12-2 MC? There is 2 circuits in the 12-3 and one in the 12-2. If your going through the trouble of doing it make sure its 12-3, even if you only want one circuit so you can easily add another one in the future. Just my 2 cents.....Hope it all works out for you. I was reading your thread in the reef discussion...what a bunch of yahoo's. I wouldnt hire any of those "contractors". There are definetly plus' and minus' for having a GFI. Be safe and protect yourself and your building, the landlord and fire marshall will thank you for it.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Crap, I bought 12-2. The 12-3 was a bit more expensive. I think I'll go back to home depot and exchange it for the 12-3. Wasn't that thread interesting?
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Ran the wire myself. Took a lot longer than I thought it would. Now I see why he wanted so much $$$ lol. Next step is to have the connections made in the electrical room and GFI outlets installed in my office. Then re-fill the tank!
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=FishTankBuild099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
BTW I took Brian's advice and used the 12-3 metal clad wire instead of the 12-2. I'll have two dedicated circuits behind the tank as well as the third that was already there.
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=FishTankBuild099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
BTW I took Brian's advice and used the 12-3 metal clad wire instead of the 12-2. I'll have two dedicated circuits behind the tank as well as the third that was already there.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Haha I know what you mean. I'm 100% sure I won't sue myself. Can't say the same anout ANYONE else. Except for my dad of course. I'm not sure what it's like in other parts of the country but here in California we have to be SO carefull. Talk too loudly and you might get sued lol.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Hey Chad - been a while. Just caught up on your thread.
Sorry for your setback, but here's +1 for doing the earthquake test now, and reinforcing as necessary.
Looks like you're back on track.
As far as your RO water goes, not sure if you have handheld TDS meter, and even if you did, a reading could be anything in the water, but I would check.
I regularly rinse and clean my brute trash can every few weeks and my TDS reading for the water in it is zero, even after days of being full/in use.
Just a thought.
Regards,
Sorry for your setback, but here's +1 for doing the earthquake test now, and reinforcing as necessary.
Looks like you're back on track.
As far as your RO water goes, not sure if you have handheld TDS meter, and even if you did, a reading could be anything in the water, but I would check.
I regularly rinse and clean my brute trash can every few weeks and my TDS reading for the water in it is zero, even after days of being full/in use.
Just a thought.
Regards,
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Haha hey Itay! I just left a comment on your build thread! lol.
I do have an in-line TDS meter. Not sure if I want to take my Maxcap RODI appart to get it out. I was concerned about leftover residue from insectisides and household cleaners that may or may not have gotten inside the trash cans while sitting in home depot. I still haven't made a decision as to whether I want to use that water or not.
I do have an in-line TDS meter. Not sure if I want to take my Maxcap RODI appart to get it out. I was concerned about leftover residue from insectisides and household cleaners that may or may not have gotten inside the trash cans while sitting in home depot. I still haven't made a decision as to whether I want to use that water or not.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
I've got good news and bad news...
The good news:
The electrician came today. I now have three 20 amp circuits behind my tank, all have GFI outlets. Very glad I did this. I filled the tank back up with the RODI water I'd made earlier and had stored in Brute trash cans. I poured an entire bucket of Tropic Marin salt into the tank, everything's running nicely. No leaks, tanks shimmed and level, heater's on, I've got some rock sitting in the sump, I'm good to go.
The bad news:
1. I'm not happy with the Barracuda. It's not crazy loud or anything but it has a higher pitched hum than the Dart. The Dart is slightly quieter and has a deeper hum which is less noticeable.
2. This one's the whopper for me. The front pane of my acrylic tank has a wicked bow. The acrylic is 3/4" thick and 30" tall. I was told it was plenty thick. Guess not..
So now I'm looking into a low iron 180 glass tank. I will have wasted a ton of work and a good deal of money, not to mention a down grade in size, But I have a feeling the bow is going to bug the crap outta me.
I may be changing my build thread title to "Chad's Simultaneous 180 builds".
What do you guys think?
The good news:
The electrician came today. I now have three 20 amp circuits behind my tank, all have GFI outlets. Very glad I did this. I filled the tank back up with the RODI water I'd made earlier and had stored in Brute trash cans. I poured an entire bucket of Tropic Marin salt into the tank, everything's running nicely. No leaks, tanks shimmed and level, heater's on, I've got some rock sitting in the sump, I'm good to go.
The bad news:
1. I'm not happy with the Barracuda. It's not crazy loud or anything but it has a higher pitched hum than the Dart. The Dart is slightly quieter and has a deeper hum which is less noticeable.
2. This one's the whopper for me. The front pane of my acrylic tank has a wicked bow. The acrylic is 3/4" thick and 30" tall. I was told it was plenty thick. Guess not..
So now I'm looking into a low iron 180 glass tank. I will have wasted a ton of work and a good deal of money, not to mention a down grade in size, But I have a feeling the bow is going to bug the crap outta me.
I may be changing my build thread title to "Chad's Simultaneous 180 builds".
What do you guys think?
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