Safe Electricity Measures

[richardhmc]

On my previous tank, I just had two 6-outlet strips behind my tank, and water would always splash on them. Miracle I didn't get electrocuted.

Now on my new tank, I'd like to know what it is that you use to "protect your wires". What are something you connect your cords to? I think I've heard of something called a GFCI or something like that? Help me out thanks!

 

[garys reef]

you can install a gfci outlet where you plug your strip in and it will trip out if there is a problem i just ran two circuits for my in wall tank and i used gfci breakers

 

[richardhmc]

Is that the essential thing? What is a must have when running cords around water

 

[garys reef]

with a tank you try to keep the outlets high enough to have a drip loop but if you have the electrical protected with a gfci you should be fine just keep in mind that gfci outlets just stop working for no reason i am a troubleshooter for lipa and i see these things go south all the time in fact i have an outside outlet that didnt last the winter worked all summer long and tried to use it last week and it is out go with breakers if you can

 

[mbg75]

and try to get a ground probe in the tank also!

 

[JOHANNA]

You need to replace the outlet you have everything plugged into with a GFI or GFCI
(Ground Fault Interupter) Outlet. You can purchase them at Home depot or any hardware store. Just turn off the breaker unscrew the old outlet and follow the instructions for the new one. Not only will you prevent yourself from getting electrocuted, you will keep from burning your house down. Before you can get a spark the outlet will shut down. It is virtually impossible to get electrocuted with a properly installed and working GFCI outlet.

 

[LatinP]

Try raising the outlets, I always try to keep the electrical outlets above the water line. This way you don't need to worry about drip loops unless you live on the moon of course.

 

[Audi0s]

Id say the gfcis are a necessity. And like mentioned, I had 2 trip on me on seperate occasions, both for no reason whatsoever.

 

[DrMusik]

had a GFCI trip on me, came home to a tank that was totally off. Pressed reset and sparks and smoke started skipping out of the ballast. My guess is the thing prevented a total fire.

Lesson 1: get a gfci
Lesson 2: Don't buy Odyssea t-5s

 

[STHILL]

a GFCI is a must, just replace your wall outlet with a gfci and plug your strips into that , its a small thing to do that will keep you and your stuff safe

 

[cybermeez]

On at least one occasion a GFI outlet saved my life during tank maintenance when a light fixture fell into the tank. The safety measure it provides far out weighs the potential of it being tripped once in a while for no apparent reason. To compensate I've split all the tank's equipment between two separate outlets. I've made it a point not to have the 2 return pumps together on the same outlet. That way if one trips the tank doesn't lose all water flow.

GFI's are part of the building codes in most places around NYC. Any outlet within a certain number of feet from a water source has to be a GFI. They're most frequently seen in the kitchen and bathroom.

In another instance, years ago, I was running a 75g freshwater tank without a GFI. I got one of those power strips that has a circuit breaker in it that's supposed to trip if there's a short, overload etc. and thought that would be enough. Boy was I wrong.

At one point I had to go out of town for a few days for a funeral. While I was away a piece of HOB (hang on the back) equipment leaked onto the power strip. It got wet but the breaker in the strip didn't trip and it started a fire. Fortunately my neighbors smelled something burning and called 911. The fire department had to break down the door to get into the apartment, put out the fire and save the cats. I've used a GFI on all tank outlets since.

 

[tlpmyd]

also very important humidity! humidity will form on lots of things around the tank, including outlets, on one ocassion i noticed an outlet burning because of the plug and outlet were very damp from the humidity, so if you notice a decent amount of humidy buy a dehumidifier to keep and dry the room out!

 

[STHILL]

if you need a GFCI let me know ill give you 1

 

[richardhmc]

Hmm I didn't think of the one's where you can screw it into the wall. I bought one where you plug it into the outlet is that okay?

@STHILL thank you but I got one

 

[STHILL]

Hmm I didn't think of the one's where you can screw it into the wall. I bought one where you plug it into the outlet is that okay?

@STHILL thank you but I got one

yes that will work fine....

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

point is you need protection.. lol