Power strips/ surge protectors/Safety

[IrishTang]

So I recently bought a new protein skimmer, a Bubble Magus which is a big upgrade over the previous Marineland skimmer. I realized when plugging in this skimmer with a larger pump that I have a power strip and a surge protector "daisy chained" which I know is a no-no when dealing with electricity.

Let me also say that I know next to NOTHING about electrical outlets, AMPs vs. Watts, joules etc. I AM plugged into a GFCI outlet, so I have that going for me and I do use drip loops whenever I think water could run down a cord. All of my equipment is plugged into the right hand compartment of my stand, on the left side is my sump, they are separated by a wood divider. I have however drilled about a 2 inch hole through that to plug in my heater and skimmer. So I currently have a 48 inch LED strip, my return pump plugged into a power strip that is plugged into a wall. I then have a surge protector plugged into that which holds a dual T5HO plug on a timer, the skimmer and the heater.

Is this too much to have on one outlet? Should I buy a larger industrial type surge protector and plug everything into that and that into the wall? My main concern after reading through the RC forums is preventing house fire. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[rogergolf66]

It's always safer to go bigger with the extension cords/power strip. that being said with out a load rating on each item u r plugging in, and the load capability of the power strip or surge protector you are running I don't think anyone can really answer this for u. My answer would be.... U seem uneasy about it so better safe go get a bigger one for your pease of mind. Realistically led, and skimmer pump will not cause any problems. Both are pretty low on power requirements. I used to run three 400watt metal halides on same circuit with no problem. Granted I did the math to be sure. Hope this helped.

GL

Roger

 

[CuzzA]

I don't have this on my tank as most equipment is on the Apex, but I use them for other stuff and they were approved by the fire marshal at my wife's school. They made her remove the cheap surge protectors. She's a teacher. They are built like a brick. Seriously, it can double as a home defense weapon.

Here's the link

 

[IrishTang]

Yea it does help Roger like you said I obviously have misgivings about my current set up and will be upgrading tonight. I know most of the equipment we use in this hobby uses fairly low amounts of energy. I'm just wondering how much one outlet/ circuit can take.

 

[IrishTang]

That's just what i was looking at getting cuzza. That or a dj switch equivalent

 

[CuzzA]

If you want switches I'd look at these. The DJ ones are really big. Designed to fit a rack. For me, if it's not on my Apex, it's on that.

 

[tony727]

If you want switches I'd look at these. The DJ ones are really big. Designed to fit a rack. For me, if it's not on my Apex, it's on that.

Thats the one I use
I don't have a controller and having everything switched is nice, sometimes its hard to quickly plug/ unplug my pumps or other accessories.

 

[Coelli]

It wasn't cheap, but we bought this GFCI extension cord and have the Apex and the power strip plugged into it (they were initially daisy chained too).

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJEUX2

 

[rogergolf66]

If u where closer I have a dr strip I could sell u. Extra in my garage

 

[otiac]

http://www.samash.com/american-dj-pc100a-rack-power-strip-apc100axx this is the strip me and my buddies have. same price as the one cuzza showed a link to, which is a solution to Tony727's problem with not being able to disconnect quickly. Best $30 bucks iv'e ever spent on my tank.

 

[IrishTang]

Thats the one I use
I don't have a controller and having everything switched is nice, sometimes its hard to quickly plug/ unplug my pumps or other accessories.

So you guys have everything plugged into this one strip and this strip into the wall? These things usually handle around 1875 watts right? So the chance of overloading a strip even with all of our equipment is slim? I do still like the DJ strips that have a breaker in the strip so if it is overloaded it trips and turns off.