One or two dedicated circuits?

[UFO8MyCow]

Help me make the decision?

I was planning on running two dedicated circuits with GFI outlets to my aquarium so that just in case one trips the breaker or the GFI I still have a backup

To do that I will need to run two 12-2 wires for about 125' through the garage attic down the wall through the basement to where the aquarium will sit. Which will cost me about $150 for the wire and breakers and outlets.

The other option is that I could use two GFI outlets on one unused 20 amp circuit that is already ran to my basement about 25 feet from where I want to put my tank upstairs and it would be very easy to extend it straight down the joist without even drilling any holes except to go up the wall to the aquariumSince I have enough wire on hand to do this this option it would only cost me about $20 for a couple of GFI outlets

I do have another outlet a couple feet away that runs the rest of my living room that I could use as the backup but it would not be dedicated.

 

[Reef Frog]

If you don't mind the expense or hassle, having 2 dedicated circuits is a nice back up to have. By having at least one powerhead and heater on separate circuits you've created some redundancy.

It might also come in handy if a big upgrade is possible in the same part of the house in the future.

Or if you want some dedicated outlets in the same area for other uses like electronics, heaters or other high wattage or amperage devices. But the non dedicated separate circuit might be perfectly fine for this purpose as well.

I would definitely consider it if the existing aquarium outlet is reaching say 75% of capacity and the load is likely to grow. Or if someone is likely to use a high amperage device on the only circuit.

I'm by nature a fan of redundancy, back ups & second chances - especially on the important things. But it sounds like you current situation is fine and the norm for most.

 

[homer1475]

I did 2 20amp GFCI breakers running 2 GFCI outlets(4 outlets total). I plugged each one of my EB8's(2) into each outlet. If the GFCI outlet fails, the breaker is a backup. Although theoretically they should both trip at the same time.

 

[d2mini]

The more you can separate your equipment the better.
If one trips, the whole tank won't be down.

 

[homer1475]

The more you can separate your equipment the better.
If one trips, the whole tank won't be down.

I have it setup this way. Lights, dosing pumps, and one mp10 is on one EB8, return, other mp10, and various others on the other EB8. If one fails or the circuit breaker trips, my whole tank isn't going down.

 

[heathlindner25]

what's the cost difference between 12/ 2 and 12 /3?

 

[UFO8MyCow]

Using 12-3 kinda defeats the purpose. 12-3 shares a neutral and you must tie the two breakers together so that if one trips or gets turned off so does the other.

 

[heathlindner25]

Using 12-3 kinda defeats the purpose. 12-3 shares a neutral and you must tie the two breakers together so that if one trips or gets turned off so does the other.

You don't have too,that's for your safety. If YOU know there is still a load on the other circuit ,you can turn both off if you need to work on them ( which you won't )hth

 

[heathlindner25]

You do not have to put a 12/3 under a 2 pole breaker....I do it everyday

 

[UFO8MyCow]

I Decided to suck it up and pull 12-3 and what a joy it was pulling 125' of wire by myself.

I went against code and my better judgment and two single pole breakers but I will be labeling the breakers and the outlets as such. If I ever move the tank I will tie them that point

I also decide to pull the unused circuit in the basement to use as a dedicated circuit in my utility room where I will have my water storage and my auto top off and Dosing containers

 

[alton]

I am not sure why people post code violations on the internet?

 

[heathlindner25]

It's a newly amended code.
which means it didn't exist last year,there is nothing wrong with running two circuits and sharing a neutral under two single pole breakers

 

[mcozad829]

So if I'm reading this right most of you are using GFI outlets for your systems? My DT is on a dedicated 20 amp single pole and my QT/propagation room uses 2 dedicated 20 amp single poles. None of them are GFI. I intentionally did that out of fear of the GFI tripping while I was away and leaving my systems dead. I guess I just trust breakers a little more than GFI outlets. Am I completely misguided on this.

 

[alton]

It's a newly amended code.
which means it didn't exist last year,there is nothing wrong with running two circuits and sharing a neutral under two single pole breakers

200.4 was added to the NEC in 2011, not 2014. In 2014 it was added that all habitable rooms shall be protected by Arc Fault Breakers unless you follow 210.12 A5. Now unfinished basements do not meet this requirement, but since you have a fish tank in there I would say it is more of a recreation room than an unfinished basement. But hey you could always claim AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) and do what you want. Many electricians that live in rural areas do.

 

[UFO8MyCow]

So if I'm reading this right most of you are using GFI outlets for your systems? My DT is on a dedicated 20 amp single pole and my QT/propagation room uses 2 dedicated 20 amp single poles. None of them are GFI. I intentionally did that out of fear of the GFI tripping while I was away and leaving my systems dead. I guess I just trust breakers a little more than GFI outlets. Am I completely misguided on this.

I understand your fear of nuisance tripping the GFI but If I were you I would definitely consider adding them to all your circuits. There's a major difference between a breaker and a GFI. A breaker is designed to protect equipment whereas a GFI is designed to protect you. When you are dealing with electricity and sticking tour hands in water it is just best practice.

You can put two GFI outlets in the single circuit for your display tank,that way of 1 trips you still have equipment running on the other