WARNING: Electrical Fire Hazzard!!!

[CuzzA]

For some time I've preached to fellow reefers about the need for protecting circuits with GFCI outlets or breakers. In some instances I've even had to argue with other reefers. The most common excuse to have an unprotected circuit is, "Well if it trips it could crash my tank." That's nonsense since there's ways to avoid that from happening. The other excuse is that it's unlikely or people have the typical thought that, "It won't happen to me."

Well it did just happen to someone. Google: "lost it all electrical warning" and you'll find the thread. House is damaged, cats are dead, tank exploded and all inhabitants along with the presumed thousands of dollars he spent are up in smoke.

If you do not put your tank on protected circuits you could be next. Be smart, if your circuits aren't protected, do it this weekend. It cost $12 an outlet and takes 10 minutes to do.

 

[snorvich]

Good advice!

 

[Kalen]

I agree really good advice.

However I have a question on the gfci.

Is it better to install the outlet or the breaker?

 

[ExpensiveHobby]

I agree really good advice.

However I have a question on the gfci.

Is it better to install the outlet or the breaker?

When I setup my large system my electrician friend came over ran a dedicated circuit for my tank with a gfci outlet. He told me both would work the same but the outlet was about 1/3 of the cost of the breaker.

 

[CuzzA]

Breakers are more expensive (~$75), however, they are much more robust and significantly reduce the chance of an inadvertent trip. They will last much longer as well. Also, if your tank is in front of the outlet and the GFCI goes bad it could be impossible to replace without breaking down your tank depending on the setup. The breaker is always accessible. I have two 20 amp dedicated circuits on GFCI breakers for my tank. Also, many people should stay out of their service panels for obvious reasons.

Outlets on the other hand are easy for the typical homeowner to install. Just flip the breaker to that circuit, check for lack of power and then proceed to install. They do however, have a operating life. Could be 5, 10, 20 years, but IME eventually they will fail and not reset. Splitting life support equipment on two different circuits is a good idea (powerheads on one and return pumps on another for example) and/or using products like controllers or ReefTronics.net to alert you of a power outage is another way to avoid losing your tank to a power outage.

Regardless, I would rather lose my tank than my house. Not to mention there's the whole other issue of being electrocuted by your tank. It has happened and reefers have died. GFCI, will protect you from this.

 

[d2mini]

Good reminder.

You don't really need a dedicated breaker for most tanks.
An electrician can measure the load on the circuit and you may be surprised how much equipment you can run. The real benefit to additional circuits (plural) is have a few so you can spread out the equipment. This way if one circuit trips, your whole tank isn't down. Have the main system pump on one, power heads on another (or split between circuits), heaters on another, etc.

 

[mcgyvr]

link to said thread?

 

[Sk8r]

I have the outlet type, and have never had one trip without cause --- and a cause that one would want to know about. I have also had them save me and the tank from serious shock.

 

[johnike]

Great heads up.
Five dedicated GFCI protected circuits on mine.

 

[gone fishin]

Nice reminder Cuzza.

 

[Kalen]

Wow didn't expect so many replies, so thanks for answering my question.

I'm in the process of setup a 125 with 55 gal sump.

 

[alton]

Wow didn't expect so many replies, so thanks for answering my question.

I'm in the process of setup a 125 with 55 gal sump.

Keep your return pump on its own GFCI and use hospital grade GFCI's. They are set to trip at 5milli amps just like a breaker, normal GFCI's trip from 4ma to 6ma. Pass & Seymore has one that has an alarm when it trips. Remember if you add a circuit using romex, the breaker has to be a arc fault breaker. I believe SQ. D is the only manufacture that makes a combination AFCI/GFCI breaker.

 

[swiftvision]

Mine keeps tripping for no reason so I removed the GFCI.

I have heard that some lighting types are not compatible with a GFCI.

 

[m0nkie]

does APEX EB8 require a GFCI?

 

[PirateToast]

Do GFCI outlets work with power strips?

 

[theMatrix]

Not sure if its ok to link to said thread from diff site. Fix if need
EDIT LINK REMOVED. QUICK GOOGLE YIELDS THE 1ST LINK RdosR

So my question...i have power strips with individual on/off swiches per outlet with built in surge protection rated 1000 joules...
But a breaker sounds like a extra precaution. Will be looking to addig this soon

 

[RWEngineer]

Do GFCI outlets work with power strips?

Yes

 

[ghatter]

does APEX EB8 require a GFCI?

The EB8 does have a circuit breaker on it but I'd still suggest using a GFCI outlet.

 

[Syntax1325]

Mine keeps tripping for no reason so I removed the GFCI.

I have heard that some lighting types are not compatible with a GFCI.

I believe t5 fixtures trip gfci after 20-30 minutes.

 

[seamonster124]

WARNING: Electrical Fire Hazzard!!!

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-Plug-In-GFCI-Adapter-3-Wire-Grounding-30339036/203741464