Nano-Reef Tear Down - A Warning About GFCI

physicslord · 08/03/2006, 11:44 AM

I recently had a complete tank crash on my 2 year old nano-reef. There were a series of unfortunate events that led to it. I was on vacation for 7 days and had designated a person to check on my reef periodically.
There was a heat wave while I was away, and the power company (PG&E) was unable to keep up with demand. There were many brownouts and my GFCI tripped for the first time. The person who was supposed to check on my tank didn't do it. I tried to call him to remind him but, my phone calls were ignored. I also had no idea that the brownouts had occurred. I finally gave up trying to contact him after the 3rd call. Bad idea!
Well, the power was off to the tank for a week. The entire tank died - and I mean everything! Even the pods were dead.

So warning to all with GFCI: You need to make sure someone checks on it for sure, or get some kind of warning device.

I plan to rebuild with a larger setup, probably 80 gallons.

For now I'm selling all my backup nano equipment including my skimmers. I posted the equipment on Ebay as "physicslord". I'll be posting more stuff as the week goes on.

RichConley · 08/03/2006, 11:47 AM

Physicslord, I'm sorry about the tank.

You need to think about it like this: Maybe something shorted out. Theres the possibility that in the surge after the brownout, one of the pieces of equipment fried, or was arcing, or whatever. It may be that losing the tank is the only reason you didnt lose your house.

physicslord · 08/03/2006, 12:55 PM

I still think GFCIs are a good thing, I just got careless. I have travelled many times without a single problem with my tank.

In this case I think it was just the uneven power distribution of the brownouts.

It tested briefly all the equipment and everything seemed to be performing normally.

08/03/2006, 11:44 AM	#1
physicslord Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 469	Nano-Reef Tear Down - A Warning About GFCI I recently had a complete tank crash on my 2 year old nano-reef. There were a series of unfortunate events that led to it. I was on vacation for 7 days and had designated a person to check on my reef periodically. There was a heat wave while I was away, and the power company (PG&E) was unable to keep up with demand. There were many brownouts and my GFCI tripped for the first time. The person who was supposed to check on my tank didn't do it. I tried to call him to remind him but, my phone calls were ignored. I also had no idea that the brownouts had occurred. I finally gave up trying to contact him after the 3rd call. Bad idea! Well, the power was off to the tank for a week. The entire tank died - and I mean everything! Even the pods were dead. So warning to all with GFCI: You need to make sure someone checks on it for sure, or get some kind of warning device. I plan to rebuild with a larger setup, probably 80 gallons. For now I'm selling all my backup nano equipment including my skimmers. I posted the equipment on Ebay as "physicslord". I'll be posting more stuff as the week goes on. __________________ a border collie is my pilot animal Current Tank Info: 12 gal. JBJ nanoDX, BB, 2x24W PC lighting, JBJ ballast, Maxijet 400 powerhead, Hagen Tronic 100W heater, Red Sea 60 skimmer with Hagen Elite 802 pump. Last edited by physicslord; 08/03/2006 at 11:57 AM.

08/03/2006, 11:47 AM	#2
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Physicslord, I'm sorry about the tank. You need to think about it like this: Maybe something shorted out. Theres the possibility that in the surge after the brownout, one of the pieces of equipment fried, or was arcing, or whatever. It may be that losing the tank is the only reason you didnt lose your house. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/03/2006, 12:55 PM	#3
physicslord Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 469	I still think GFCIs are a good thing, I just got careless. I have travelled many times without a single problem with my tank. In this case I think it was just the uneven power distribution of the brownouts. It tested briefly all the equipment and everything seemed to be performing normally. __________________ a border collie is my pilot animal Current Tank Info: 12 gal. JBJ nanoDX, BB, 2x24W PC lighting, JBJ ballast, Maxijet 400 powerhead, Hagen Tronic 100W heater, Red Sea 60 skimmer with Hagen Elite 802 pump.