Unfinished basement, adding outlets and circuits etc

PAXpress · 05/18/2016, 09:30 AM

Morning everyone, I have plans to add electrical outlets to my basement which is my fish tank room. I want advice as to what would be optimal. If you were to redo your tank room (3+ tanks fw and sw) how would you have the electrical set up? Two 20a Circuits? I'm not an electrical guy but the person who is going to help me do it will know what I'm saying if I tell him what I want.

yacn · 05/18/2016, 09:45 AM

I have one 20 amp circuit I installed in my basement to run my sump equipment.

I've never tripped the breaker. At one time I had all these running at one time on this circuit (Dolphin 4000/3000 return pump, (2) 200 watt heaters, CFL 40 watt fuge light, 25 watt UV sterilizer, Marineland Magnum 350, air pump, skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 pump, and several power heads to run ATO, GFO, UV, etc. Plus I would run 2 more 100 watt heaters and Rio 1100 pump when doing water changes....had (2) garbage cans with salt water. Some of the equipment listed would be unplugged during water changes.

My MH/VHO lights were set up on another circuit on 1st floor where DT is located.....1080 watts.

Looks like you may need (2) 20 amp circuits for your needs.

I also used larger gauge wire for the 20 amp circuit....which your friend should know.

PAXpress · 05/18/2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yacn

I have one 20 amp circuit I installed in my basement to run my sump equipment.

I've never tripped the breaker. At one time I had all these running at one time on this circuit (Dolphin 4000/3000 return pump, (2) 200 watt heaters, CFL 40 watt fuge light, 25 watt UV sterilizer, Marineland Magnum 350, air pump, skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 pump, and several power heads to run ATO, GFO, UV, etc. Plus I would run 2 more 100 watt heaters and Rio 1100 pump when doing water changes....had (2) garbage cans with salt water. Some of the equipment listed would be unplugged during water changes.

My MH/VHO lights were set up on another circuit on 1st floor where DT is located.....1080 watts.

Looks like you may need (2) 20 amp circuits for your needs.

I also used larger gauge wire for the 20 amp circuit....which your friend should know.

Well he was asking if I would need a 40 amp circuit. I'm sure he knows about the larger gauge.

moatdaddy · 05/18/2016, 09:58 AM

lol look at my electrical cords. it is ugly, i had two installed less than a week ago. I did two out of fear of tripping, did 20 amp breakers. He measured the amps coming through one was 5.6 and the other was 1.4. so i could have gone with just one, but meh. It cost me 170 to get one done, 200 to get a second done, so for 30 bucks i could get a little more done. in the end the electrician coming out has a cost as does his time.

yacn · 05/18/2016, 09:58 AM

I would go with (2) 20 amp circuits

PAXpress · 05/18/2016, 10:27 AM

Luckily I will only need to pay for the parts as he owes me a favor and will do all the work without charge (I'll sweeten the deal with a thank you gift card or buy him lunch or something sometime). 2 20amp and should I have a seperate circuit for the rest of the basement (in case I decide to finish it)?

PAXpress · 05/18/2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moatdaddy

lol look at my electrical cords. it is ugly, i had two installed less than a week ago. I did two out of fear of tripping, did 20 amp breakers. He measured the amps coming through one was 5.6 and the other was 1.4. so i could have gone with just one, but meh. It cost me 170 to get one done, 200 to get a second done, so for 30 bucks i could get a little more done. in the end the electrician coming out has a cost as does his time.

Whew! Thats looking pretty intricate! Pretty sure my wife would strangle me if she saw that type of situation in my basement! HAHA Next project will be a work bench in the basement with storage shelving.

FirstContact · 05/18/2016, 11:01 AM

Have two 20 amp circuits in the basement. Check out the electrical articles on BeanAnimals website for how to do the circuits and outlets!

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/e...he-reefer.aspx

PAXpress · 05/18/2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstContact

Have two 20 amp circuits in the basement. Check out the electrical articles on BeanAnimals website for how to do the circuits and outlets!

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/e...he-reefer.aspx

Lots of info there. Read through a bit of it. I'll refer to that if I run into issues or questions.

billdogg · 05/18/2016, 02:36 PM

Although it was overkill, I ran 2 x 20A circuits to my fish room, with GFCI outlets. I figured that the cost to run 2 was only slightly more than one, and since I was doing the work myself, labor didn't cost me anything. I like the ability to split various items between the two circuits so that if one trips, the other can keep the tank going.

You MUST use 12/2 wire and 20A receptacles or you run the risk of overheating the wire and causing a fire. Unlikely with the loads we typically use, but the proper way to do it nonetheless.

jason2459 · 05/18/2016, 10:30 PM

I've got 4 individual 20amp gfci circuits. 2 upstairs for the display tank split up between left and right side tank equipment.

Then 2 for the basement sump area. All using 12/2 plus ground like mentioned above.

mcgyvr · 05/19/2016, 05:15 AM

You didn't state what equipment you will have so we cannot recommend how many circuits you need...

jason2459 · 05/19/2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

You didn't state what equipment you will have so we cannot recommend how many circuits you need...

I would always recommend a minimum of two separate gfci or afci/gfci circuits. Spread equipment across both so there's some kind of life support on both incase one pops.

JB NY · 05/19/2016, 11:48 AM

When I put in a dedicated sump room in my basement I put in two dedicated 20amp circuits. 10 years later I still don't need anymore power.

05/18/2016, 09:30 AM	#1
PAXpress Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 312	Unfinished basement, adding outlets and circuits etc Morning everyone, I have plans to add electrical outlets to my basement which is my fish tank room. I want advice as to what would be optimal. If you were to redo your tank room (3+ tanks fw and sw) how would you have the electrical set up? Two 20a Circuits? I'm not an electrical guy but the person who is going to help me do it will know what I'm saying if I tell him what I want.

05/18/2016, 11:01 AM	#8
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Have two 20 amp circuits in the basement. Check out the electrical articles on BeanAnimals website for how to do the circuits and outlets! http://www.beananimal.com/articles/e...he-reefer.aspx __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

05/18/2016, 02:36 PM	#10
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Although it was overkill, I ran 2 x 20A circuits to my fish room, with GFCI outlets. I figured that the cost to run 2 was only slightly more than one, and since I was doing the work myself, labor didn't cost me anything. I like the ability to split various items between the two circuits so that if one trips, the other can keep the tank going. You MUST use 12/2 wire and 20A receptacles or you run the risk of overheating the wire and causing a fire. Unlikely with the loads we typically use, but the proper way to do it nonetheless. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/18/2016, 10:30 PM	#11
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I've got 4 individual 20amp gfci circuits. 2 upstairs for the display tank split up between left and right side tank equipment. Then 2 for the basement sump area. All using 12/2 plus ground like mentioned above. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

05/19/2016, 05:15 AM	#12
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You didn't state what equipment you will have so we cannot recommend how many circuits you need... __________________ Who me?

05/18/2016, 09:45 AM	#2
yacn Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 212	I have one 20 amp circuit I installed in my basement to run my sump equipment. I've never tripped the breaker. At one time I had all these running at one time on this circuit (Dolphin 4000/3000 return pump, (2) 200 watt heaters, CFL 40 watt fuge light, 25 watt UV sterilizer, Marineland Magnum 350, air pump, skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 pump, and several power heads to run ATO, GFO, UV, etc. Plus I would run 2 more 100 watt heaters and Rio 1100 pump when doing water changes....had (2) garbage cans with salt water. Some of the equipment listed would be unplugged during water changes. My MH/VHO lights were set up on another circuit on 1st floor where DT is located.....1080 watts. Looks like you may need (2) 20 amp circuits for your needs. I also used larger gauge wire for the 20 amp circuit....which your friend should know.

05/18/2016, 09:58 AM	#4
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	lol look at my electrical cords. it is ugly, i had two installed less than a week ago. I did two out of fear of tripping, did 20 amp breakers. He measured the amps coming through one was 5.6 and the other was 1.4. so i could have gone with just one, but meh. It cost me 170 to get one done, 200 to get a second done, so for 30 bucks i could get a little more done. in the end the electrician coming out has a cost as does his time.

05/18/2016, 10:27 AM	#6
PAXpress Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 312	Luckily I will only need to pay for the parts as he owes me a favor and will do all the work without charge (I'll sweeten the deal with a thank you gift card or buy him lunch or something sometime). 2 20amp and should I have a seperate circuit for the rest of the basement (in case I decide to finish it)?

05/19/2016, 11:48 AM	#14
JB NY Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,207	When I put in a dedicated sump room in my basement I put in two dedicated 20amp circuits. 10 years later I still don't need anymore power. __________________ -Joe TOTM Sept 2002 \| Reefland April 2004 \| CORAL Magazine Nov 2007 Featured Tank "Coral Reef Aquarium" 2011 \| Reef Spotlight 2018 Current Tank Info: 270G SPS Tank, 140G sumps, 35G Frag Tank, Ultra Reef Akula UKS-200 Skimmer, Apex, Giesemann Spectra 3x250W MH 4x80W T5, 2xReefbrite Tech 72" Blue LED, Triton Dosing, ARID C30 Algae Reactor, Maxspect Gyre