Electrical circuits with large tank

[dmbnpj]

I am in process of planning for a large tank. My plan is an in-wall 280 gallon. My plan is to have a large equipment room running most of the "standard" equipment for a large tank. My question is to the people who are running tanks this size, how many circuits do you have running to your electrical panel and how many outlets do you use?

Equipment list I plan on:

-(3) 250 metal halides-mogul base-icecap ballasts likely w/lumenarc reflectors
-some sort of T5 lighting-maybe (2) 48"
-Closed loop w/pump(s)-undecided (whatever is needed-maybe
sequence (dart or like)
-probably tunze or just modded maxijet 1200's for extra flow in
addition to closed loop
-2 seaswirls (can 1 pump power both?)
-heater(s)- Dont know the amount or wattage I need? 500 watt, or a couple 250 watts?
-skimmer
-calcium reactor
-kalk reactor
-light for refugium
-neptune aquacontroller
-(2 or 3) fans
-chiller if necessary
-some regular flourescent lighting underneath the stand just for light to see equipment

This is the basic plan. Please remind me of any other main equipment I will need to run a tank this size if it will affect the number of circuits I will need to run to my electrical panel.

Thanks for any help,
Jeff

 

[mflamb]

Four 20 amp circuits, one 15 amp circuit. Twenty outlets.

 

[nyvp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9904094#post9904094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Four 20 amp circuits, one 15 amp circuit. Twenty outlets.

thats a bit overkill wouldnt you say?

I dont think he will be using 8000 watts with what hes talking about he will be under 2000/w I would say run 3 20 amps is over kill.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I'm using 3 X 20 Amp circuits so I could spread my equipment out some and not have to rely on everything being on 1 or 2 circuits.

I have my C/L pumps on one circuit and my return and skimmer pumps on another. That way if one trips, I still have circulation in the tank. My lights are on the 3rd circuit with the rest of the smaller equipment, i.e. heaters, controllers, fans, small powerheads for reactors, etc, spread out on the different circuits.

 

[Benny Z]

2 20amp circuits...

 

[Benny Z]

ben&bobbi - i tried to reply to your pm, but your mailbox is full.

here is my response to your question as to whether or not you actually get two additional outlets, or if you just get one because the unit plugs into one of the other outlets:

yes, that is correct. pretty stupid design, if you ask me. the expansion socket has two plugs. one plugs into one of the outlets on the main unit to control them (they should have used a rj-11 jack for this instead of an outlet, imo) and the other plug plugs into the second outlet to get the power, which allows you to plug it into a separate circuit.

 

[TIMMYE]

I would go with 3-4 20 amp circuits. That way you can sepearte everything and always have flow if on trips. If you do a fish/equipment room I would pull 2 to the tank area and 2 to the fish room.

 

[mflamb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9906482#post9906482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
thats a bit overkill wouldnt you say?

I dont think he will be using 8000 watts with what hes talking about he will be under 2000/w I would say run 3 20 amps is over kill.

He asked "what are you using", so I told him. Gee whiz bubba, lighten up.

 

[BigDaddy]

I have 3 - 20 amp circuits.

One for the chiller, one for the lights and one for the pumps.

280 Gallon, 440 total.

 

[BigDaddy]

I also have the pump for the closed loop on the chiller circuit in case one circuit fails.

 

[moumda]

Have enough power for expansion. You may someday decide to go to 1000 watt lights and triple the amount of flow. I'm not saying you will but you might. If you hire someone to do it for you the cost for overkill is minimal. But sure to set up more outlets than you need, it's amazing how fast you use them up!

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Not to hijack, but BigDaddy, nice Majestic in your avatar. I just picked up a nice 3" one last week. One of my favorite fish next to my Idol and monster Naso pair.

 

[BigDaddy]

Yes, he's very nice. He only likes LPS. But everything else is ok.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

So far, mine's only taken a liking to my sponges which are no big deal as they are hitchickers.

 

[yaktop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9907002#post9907002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
2 20amp circuits...

I have the RK2 as well. I wouldnt put all my eggs in that basket though. if the fuse blows you lose all of it. run the return off a seperate circuit all together. In fact I run my heaters on a seperate circuit also and use the temp probes for my fans only.

backup system are always needs.