Fish room electrical set up - input needed

[benihana]

I have an electrician coming over in a couple of days and wanted to see what reccomendations others have on what they would do different or what they are glad they did.


A few questions that come to mind:

How many outlets?
15 or 20 amp circuits? How many?
Location of outlets?


TIA

 

[Fishmommy]

I had 6 outlets put in - a quad and a dual
20 amp, definitely
I ended up using the quad outlet to one side of my tank and didn't use the dual behind my tank. Your mileage may vary because your tank is likely much bigger than mine.

Have GCFI protection. I ran a separate circuit for my tank and had the GCFI put in at the panel - supposedly less twitchy than the outlet ones.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

You can add up the total current of your equipment if you want to be specific. I'm not an electrician but I think there are either some calculators or threads that explain how. I'm planning a large tank build in my basement and have been doing some research on this. Most people suggest 2-4 20 Amp dedicated circuits then however many outlets you need. I think most go with only 2 from my research. As stated above, use GFCI to protect yourself.

 

[benihana]

Thanks for the response.

I was also thinking that I would pul the outlets higher than normal, maybe 20-25" from the floor to create a natural drip loop. Thoughts?

 

[MarlinDreams]

Before I did my fish room, I did a mock up of it on paper of where I wanted everything (plus any future wants). Like you were thinking, I have a quad up high for my refugium that drains into the main tank. GCFI's are a must. It never hurts to have a few extra, but learn from me on this one (COVER ALL THAT ARE NOT IN USE) if your fish room it to be completely enclosed. The humidity gets very high, plus like an idiot, I put my sump near one of the outlets and over time the spray tripped the circuit! according to my electrician.

 

[benihana]

The room will essentially be a large walk in closet, and I was planning on installing a bath fan (vented outside) to ensure that excess humidity is removed.

Thanks for the response

 

[sfsuphysics]

Definitely 20 amp circuits, most use 20amp for any outlet regardless of it's function over 15amps which is very often left for lighting circuits (not tank lighting ).

As for how many, depends what you're going to use. Think mostly of big ticket items mostly.
- How many gallons is the tank? Heating is a foregone conclusion, are you going to have a chiller?
- What kind of lights are you putting over your tank? a few 400w metal halides?
- What kind of return pumps are you using? If they mention some fraction of horsepower on them, they're going to be energy hogs. In tank pumps usually are negligible.

Those three are usually your biggest energy worries. If it is a small tank, maybe 100g or less I might be ok with a single 20amp circuit, maybe 2 just for extra. Do a quick energy audit of your equipment, figure approximately 2000 watts per 20amp circuit but if you get close to 2000 you might want to just add another to take into account inrush current from certain devices like lighting or any mechanical pump that turns on/off like a chiller.

Oh and raising the height of the outlet is fine. I might put them as high as you can get away if they're anywhere near where water might splash (like a sump)

 

[alton]

If you are worried about humidity use the GCCI's that are rated for that. They are like $30. There circuit board is plastic/fiber versus card board on the cheap ones. Also get the option that beeps when tripped.

 

[benihana]

If you are worried about humidity use the GCCI's that are rated for that. They are like $30. There circuit board is plastic/fiber versus card board on the cheap ones. Also get the option that beeps when tripped.

Do you mean GFCI? I have never heard of GCCI. Either way, I will definately be exploring this further

 

[rbarn]

A 230V run might be handy as well depending on tank size for large 3hp pumps and 1+k watt heaters or chillers

 

[davebehlen]

You can add up the total current of your equipment if you want to be specific. I'm not an electrician but I think there are either some calculators or threads that explain how. I'm planning a large tank build in my basement and have been doing some research on this. Most people suggest 2-4 20 Amp dedicated circuits then however many outlets you need. I think most go with only 2 from my research. As stated above, use GFCI to protect yourself.

If the outlets will be in a limited space location, absolutely go with the GFCI breaker in the panel...I also know someone having glitching issues with a wall receptacle GFCI, and personally have had to replace a few in moisture prone areas do to complete failure.

Personal opinion....discuss with the electrician the loading expectations...approximate amps in the total system, and how to best keep that balanced between the two legs of 120...best to keep it balanced as close as possible...heaters, pumps lights (high load items at least)...

Possibly 1 heater on 1 leg, and a 2nd heater on the other leg if you want to get that detailed so you employ some relative backup routine in the design. If one circuit breaker trips (GFCIs work really good) then you at least have half your heaters...pumps...lights still going.