Power requirements?

rjjr1963 · 12/14/2015, 02:54 PM

I'm building a 180 gallon mixed reef aquarium. I haven't had a fish tank in 25 years.

I'm trying to figure out how much power I'm going to need and might dedicate a 15 amp circuit for the aquarium if necessary. I'm just learning about all the possible equipment I'm going to need and I think this list about covers it.

2x3,000 gph sump pumps
3 heaters size ?? Two for tank and one for making saltwater.
Lighting LED tank and sump. 3 Aquatic Life Halo lights and one strip light.
Skimmer pump
2 MP 40 in tank pumps
Apex tank controller
Doser
RO system
One small pump for mixing salt water

I may or may not use all of these items but I want to make sure I'm prepared.

lastpikd · 12/14/2015, 03:02 PM

The watts for the equipment you choose will be displayed in the technical specifications for each piece. You can figure out your max amperage from that with everything running all at once just by using ohm's law for current.

On another note, I run a 60 gallon tank with sump in my living room along with all the other appliances we use for home comfort. My apex tells me that the max I ever use is 4 amps. The power consumption of a tank will probably never hit your max output levels with everything all on at once.

Choose specifically what equipment you want and then youll know if you need a dedicated circuit. Running wire through walls and to a power panel can be a bit of a pain in the *** depending on the location of the aquarium in relation to the panel.

billdogg · 12/14/2015, 03:25 PM

For both of my systems, a 120gDT/40b sump and a 150DT/120 refugium/50 sump, I ran 2 x 20A circuits each, all GFCI.

Each individual GFCI is the master outlet to either 4 or 6 downcurrent outlets as well. If you can do it so that there are no power strips anywhere in your setup you will be miles ahead in the electrical/fire safety game.

It is way better to run a bit more than you ever think you will need than it is to run just a bit short and need more.

rjjr1963 · 12/14/2015, 03:38 PM

Fortunately I have a drop down ceiling in part of the basement so running a new line shouldn't be to difficult.

I'd feel better having more power than I need as I travel two or three days quite frequently. This is one of the reasons I want to use the Apex controller so I can monitor things on the road. It does make use of a power strip for switched items but it looks well built and can probably be reset remotely if necessarily.

Thanks all for the advice.

kmbyrnes · 12/15/2015, 05:30 AM

Amps and gallons are two things you can't have too much of, unless you mix them.

Ron Reefman · 12/15/2015, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

Amps and gallons are two things you can't have too much of, unless you mix them.

Too funny! You are not only wise, you are humorous. Thanks for the laugh and the great advice!

ScienceRulez · 12/15/2015, 08:54 AM

What's wrong with a little curly hair in the morning?

mcozad829 · 12/15/2015, 09:03 AM

For a 180 I would plan on a minimum of a dedicated 20 amp circuit, I use a 20 amp for my DT and 3 dedicated 20 amp circuits for my QT and Propagation room. I feel I may be pushing the circuit on the DT and when I upgrade I will likely drop in another dedicated 20 amp circuit. Its amazing how quickly our little gadgets add up, I have the power bill to prove it lol

fishgate · 12/15/2015, 09:12 AM

I would go with 2 circuits just for redundancy. And if you are running new lines, run 20 amp (12/2 romex).

rjjr1963 · 12/20/2015, 06:45 PM

I added everything up and it's way over 15 amps. The electrician is on his way over Monday and I'm just going to do 2x20 amp to be safe.

heathlindner25 · 12/20/2015, 06:56 PM

If a wire has to be run anyways ,why not go for 4 circuits... that way you can expand at your leisure and never have to worry about it

jamie1981 · 12/20/2015, 07:30 PM

2x3,000 gph sump pumps for a 180??? You won't be able to push 6000gph through your sump.

rjjr1963 · 12/21/2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie1981

2x3,000 gph sump pumps for a 180??? You won't be able to push 6000gph through your sump.

After doing more research I realize I don't need anywhere near that much flow. I'm going to use the Sicce Syncra 5.0 pumps that should put our about 1,000 GPH each at 6' of head. One pump will be used for direct feed to the DT and the other will flow to a manifold to supply water to GFO,carbon,bio media and drain. I'll need a 3rd pump for the water change system but I don't know how much flow I really need for that. Probably something small.

12/14/2015, 02:54 PM	#1
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Power requirements? I'm building a 180 gallon mixed reef aquarium. I haven't had a fish tank in 25 years. I'm trying to figure out how much power I'm going to need and might dedicate a 15 amp circuit for the aquarium if necessary. I'm just learning about all the possible equipment I'm going to need and I think this list about covers it. 2x3,000 gph sump pumps 3 heaters size ?? Two for tank and one for making saltwater. Lighting LED tank and sump. 3 Aquatic Life Halo lights and one strip light. Skimmer pump 2 MP 40 in tank pumps Apex tank controller Doser RO system One small pump for mixing salt water I may or may not use all of these items but I want to make sure I'm prepared.

12/14/2015, 03:25 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	For both of my systems, a 120gDT/40b sump and a 150DT/120 refugium/50 sump, I ran 2 x 20A circuits each, all GFCI. Each individual GFCI is the master outlet to either 4 or 6 downcurrent outlets as well. If you can do it so that there are no power strips anywhere in your setup you will be miles ahead in the electrical/fire safety game. It is way better to run a bit more than you ever think you will need than it is to run just a bit short and need more. __________________ 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

12/15/2015, 05:30 AM	#5
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	Amps and gallons are two things you can't have too much of, unless you mix them. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

12/15/2015, 09:03 AM	#8
mcozad829 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Natchitoches, LA Posts: 619 Blog Entries: 1	For a 180 I would plan on a minimum of a dedicated 20 amp circuit, I use a 20 amp for my DT and 3 dedicated 20 amp circuits for my QT and Propagation room. I feel I may be pushing the circuit on the DT and when I upgrade I will likely drop in another dedicated 20 amp circuit. Its amazing how quickly our little gadgets add up, I have the power bill to prove it lol __________________ "You'll have plenty of time for rolling doobies... when you're living in a van... down by the river!"

12/15/2015, 09:12 AM	#9
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	I would go with 2 circuits just for redundancy. And if you are running new lines, run 20 amp (12/2 romex). __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

12/14/2015, 03:02 PM	#2
lastpikd Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 83	The watts for the equipment you choose will be displayed in the technical specifications for each piece. You can figure out your max amperage from that with everything running all at once just by using ohm's law for current. On another note, I run a 60 gallon tank with sump in my living room along with all the other appliances we use for home comfort. My apex tells me that the max I ever use is 4 amps. The power consumption of a tank will probably never hit your max output levels with everything all on at once. Choose specifically what equipment you want and then youll know if you need a dedicated circuit. Running wire through walls and to a power panel can be a bit of a pain in the *** depending on the location of the aquarium in relation to the panel.

12/14/2015, 03:38 PM	#4
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Fortunately I have a drop down ceiling in part of the basement so running a new line shouldn't be to difficult. I'd feel better having more power than I need as I travel two or three days quite frequently. This is one of the reasons I want to use the Apex controller so I can monitor things on the road. It does make use of a power strip for switched items but it looks well built and can probably be reset remotely if necessarily. Thanks all for the advice.

12/15/2015, 08:54 AM	#7
ScienceRulez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Allentown PA Posts: 286	What's wrong with a little curly hair in the morning?

12/20/2015, 06:45 PM	#10
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	I added everything up and it's way over 15 amps. The electrician is on his way over Monday and I'm just going to do 2x20 amp to be safe.

12/20/2015, 06:56 PM	#11
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	If a wire has to be run anyways ,why not go for 4 circuits... that way you can expand at your leisure and never have to worry about it

12/20/2015, 07:30 PM	#12
jamie1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 308	2x3,000 gph sump pumps for a 180??? You won't be able to push 6000gph through your sump.