Lunchbucket's 48"x48"x20" Reef

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11946474#post11946474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RokleM
I believe it's even more strict now (arc protection), but code last time I checked was GFCI for all outlets in the basement regardless of their proximity to water. Don't quote me on that though.

Personally, I use 2 20A and 3 15A for my tanks (all outlet GFCI) and have never had one trip without explanation in their two years of use. They have tripped 3-4 times for good reason (fans falling into water, water dripped on surge strip, etc).

I think that it all depends upon city codes. In my case, my office, which the city considers a "bedroom", is required to have GFI breakers. In my basement, code requires wall mount outlets to be GFI, but outlets mounted in the ceiling don't require GFI outlets. On those circuits, I use GFI breakers.

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

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Well, one of my contractor friends told me the new NEC code, is going to require either Ground fault or ARCfault breakers on EVERY circuit in residential panels . $40 breakers in every slot now. sigh. Double protection can't hurt, some of the horror shows we've seen in classes makes me love Ground faults. Most of the involved "now here this person did this stupid thing and got electrocuted" but, you never know.

 

[Lunchbucket]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I should put GFCI breakers in my two fish room breakers for sure. Wonder if they make a GFCI dual breaker. We opted to go for dual breakers for 3slots instead of a sub panel.

Got the door to the storage room framed up tonight almost ready to sheet rock!! Need to drill my 4" holes for my exhaust fan out and fresh air in to the fish room, need to fix a heat elbow, and move one cable line and I'm ready to insulate adn rock. I think I'll be done rocking by Sunday night!!

Lunchbucket

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

Rock on!! Almost ready for water now!

 

[Lunchbucket]

I need to plan out what exhaust fan I'm going to use. Need to look through Mako's thread and do some searching. Anyone suggest one? Also I need to get a humidity and temp sensor like this http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/cap-air1-temperature-humidity-control-p-361.html to keep the room humidity down.

My room is 6ft x 8ft. Any suggestions on a fan? Also I'm assuming I should do 2 holes for for exhaust and one for fresh air intake?

Lunchbucket

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11952735#post11952735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I should put GFCI breakers in my two fish room breakers for sure. Wonder if they make a GFCI dual breaker. We opted to go for dual breakers for 3slots instead of a sub panel.
Lunchbucket

My electrician told me that they don't make dual GFI breakers. Install the GFI breakers for your fish circuits and move some of the "non fish" circuits to the duals. Are you sure that two circuits are going to handle the load for your tank & fish room?

 

[Lunchbucket]

two circuits should do it I would think.

Circuit 1
2x400w MH's
4x 3ft vho's

Cicuit 2
Return pump,
CL pump
2 Tunzes,
Skimmer
AC
CO2 selinoid
OM 4 way.

Two should be able to handle it. I run my 58gal off of 2 w/ no problems and the only things I'm changing if removing a mag 950 and adding an Iwaki 55rlt and a Sequence barracuda. The lighting circuit will be full but the 2nd circiuit shouldn't be that maxed out. I can add up all the watts but just thinking about it most stuff on the 2nd won't take up much (tunzes, co2, aqua controller, skimmer)

I'd LOVE 3 circuits but I don't have the room in my panel.
Lunchbucket

 

[Reeftanks6]

I think the two circuits would be fine for what you have.

 

[Goodwin9]

Is the air exchanger / dehumidifier going to be on these two circuits? To save on expense on down the road, I would run wiring for a third just in case it is needed at some point in time. Better safe than sorry. Putting in the wiring now will be much cheaper than trying to do it when you have every thing finished off.

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

You also might want to think on splitting the pumps. If you have a problem and trip circuit No. 2, all your water flow, all your oxygenation, everything boom. Gone. Move the tunzes or the CL to a different circuit. That way WHEN something goes wrong, you still have water flow. Just my 2 cents.

JRE

 

[Lunchbucket]

Goodwin - The air exchanger will be just a fan for air exchange no dehumidifier. But will have a switch that will kick on if humidity is to high.

True on wiring for a 3rd. I thought about that when you mentioned 3 circuits. I might just run an extra just in case. Way easier then trying to do it later

Lunchbucket

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11954916#post11954916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
Goodwin - The air exchanger will be just a fan for air exchange no dehumidifier. But will have a switch that will kick on if humidity is to high.

True on wiring for a 3rd. I thought about that when you mentioned 3 circuits. I might just run an extra just in case. Way easier then trying to do it later

Lunchbucket

I think that you will be glad that you ran the third, even though you don't need it right now. You've seen my 600 and I have a total of 6 circuits ( 3 - 20A, 2 - 15A, & 1 220V). I started with 3 thinking that would be enough, only to have to call the electrician back twice to add more. I was lucky that the basement isn't finished.....

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

Hey Lunch, I hope I didn't sound to preachy, I've just seen the unexpected happen with electrical parts too many times. Your build is going great, can't wait to see the water flowing

 

[Lunchbucket]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11954902#post11954902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaPa_Johnny
You also might want to think on splitting the pumps. If you have a problem and trip circuit No. 2, all your water flow, all your oxygenation, everything boom. Gone. Move the tunzes or the CL to a different circuit. That way WHEN something goes wrong, you still have water flow. Just my 2 cents.

JRE

I thought about that too. I will probably run a third cicuit and use that for my tunzes or return pump. Maybe on the same one as the downstairs outlets since there won't be much on there. Also I have an outlet in the front wall of the tank room that is on that circuit so running a little wire and a box would be easy, cheap, and a safe move. Great thought

Lunchbucket

 

[Lunchbucket]

Just got home from Lowes. Have some insulation Also, a box and wire to wire a third outlet to the fishroom. Will be tied to the downstairs outlets. Return pump and AC will be on it

Lunchbucket

 

[Lunchbucket]

Got the two 2x4 walls done tonight. Need to do the 2x6 wall tomorrow night and the ceiling. Will have to go buy insulation for the ceiling though as we didn't have room in the 2 cars tonight. Hope to get most of the ceiling and the 2x6wall done tomorrow night and all done friday so I can rock on Sat and Sunday.

Lunchbucket

 

[PaPa_Johnny]

2 cars??? Man you have to post pictures of the lumber in the cars .

Nice work, your getting sooo close now.

I sure hope this doesn't double post

 

[Lunchbucket]

PaPa_Johnny - Insulation not lumber and had only 4 bags....not really too much but still filled them up

Lunchbucket

 

[Lunchbucket]

Ok I have a question for you guys. I bought two of those 4" dryer vent things to drill into the side of your house to pipe the air out. I get the out going air...it's pumped by a fan but how do you guys have your in going air? Those vents are designed to close so no air comes in. Did you just bust that flap off?

Pics and descriptions would be great
Thanks
Lunchbucket

 

[quiksilver]

Eric, you have any pictures of them? My guess is the type/brand you bought may make a difference. Are you wanting 1 out and 1 in? You may be able to wire one so that it sucks air in, instead of pushing it out.