GFCI outlet?

yraveh · 10/28/2016, 03:41 PM

Hi everyone.

i wonder if it is recommended to use GFCI receptacle for the aquarium.
Pro- safer
Cons - likely to shut off, if that occurs while you are away on vacation , the person feeding the fish for you may not know/want to tackle the problem or reset the receptacle.

what's your suggestion.

heathlindner25 · 10/28/2016, 03:47 PM

Always use one.

Ron Reefman · 10/28/2016, 03:48 PM

I wouldn't plug anything related to my aquarium into anything but a GFCI protected outlet!

Train the care taker about how easy they are to reset.

BeanMachine · 10/28/2016, 03:51 PM

Your going to get answers either way. Some will say always, and some will say just on the high draw equipment, but a return pump or circulation pump on a standard outlet.

yraveh · 10/28/2016, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanMachine

Your going to get answers either way. Some will say always, and some will say just on the high draw equipment, but a return pump or circulation pump on a standard outlet.

what equipment is high draw?

tinfoilsoldier · 10/28/2016, 03:59 PM

I have 2 independent gfci outlets on our 180g, with a UPS to keep lights/circulation on during generator tests.

Then lights, power heads and some heaters on one, return pump, more heat and accessories on the other gfci.

Our old lights were tripping the circuit so I had the second one added for some redundancy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

windlasher · 10/28/2016, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinfoilsoldier

I have 2 independent gfci outlets on our 180g, with a UPS to keep lights/circulation on during generator tests.

Then lights, power heads and some heaters on one, return pump, more heat and accessories on the other gfci.

Our old lights were tripping the circuit so I had the second one added for some redundancy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

You shouldn't have 2 GFCI on the same circuit. They fight each other.

BeanMachine · 10/28/2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yraveh

what equipment is high draw?

Like a chiller, or lights.

spiraling · 10/28/2016, 04:22 PM

I see it as a matter of your safety all the time, vs the fish part of the time.

If you spill water around your outlet from the tank (which I do all the time) and you don't have the GFCI, then you can get electrocuted. That's what they prevent and why they are required in kitchens and bathrooms.

Just make sure your power strip doesn't also have surge suppression, that can cause issues.

2smokes · 10/28/2016, 04:44 PM

Here is my thread about RCD,GFCI with plenty of informations .http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...php?p=24769214 Better install one powerfull enough as the main circuit breaker on the entire house like i did (or the floor with aquarium if its a big house).You eliminate the risk of electric shock on the entire house that way not only to the socket where you have your aquarium conected.Always use GFCI because the pumps and heaters for aquarium these days arent made with grounding wire.They have just 2 wire socket and in case of a failure the GFCI can save your life.Saltwater is good electricity conductor,you will use a lot of electrical gadgets like lamp,pumps ,heater ,etc suposedly for a verry long time and in a corosive enviroment.The GFCI could save your life or your family.

vhuang168 · 10/28/2016, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windlasher

You shouldn't have 2 GFCI on the same circuit. They fight each other.

He said "independent" which I take to mean on separate circuits. I too have 2 separate 20a circuits with gfci outlets running my 190.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

heathlindner25 · 10/28/2016, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanMachine

Your going to get answers either way. Some will say always, and some will say just on the high draw equipment, but a return pump or circulation pump on a standard outlet.

I smell smoke. ........

2smokes · 10/28/2016, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windlasher

You shouldn't have 2 GFCI on the same circuit. They fight each other.

They dont fight .I have 2 GFCI(its called RCD here in europe),one of 300ma And the otther 10 mA sensitivity.Both on the main circuit that feeds the house.The 300 one doesnt protects your life because human body is toasted at more than 50 mA so ive installed the 10 mA GFCI after the 300 one.

10/28/2016, 03:41 PM	#1
yraveh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Miami Beach Posts: 562	GFCI outlet? Hi everyone. i wonder if it is recommended to use GFCI receptacle for the aquarium. Pro- safer Cons - likely to shut off, if that occurs while you are away on vacation , the person feeding the fish for you may not know/want to tackle the problem or reset the receptacle. what's your suggestion. __________________ Thank You! Current Tank Info: 120g

10/28/2016, 03:48 PM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I wouldn't plug anything related to my aquarium into anything but a GFCI protected outlet! Train the care taker about how easy they are to reset. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/28/2016, 03:51 PM	#4
BeanMachine Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 11,200	Your going to get answers either way. Some will say always, and some will say just on the high draw equipment, but a return pump or circulation pump on a standard outlet. __________________ 300 Gallon 72x36x27 AGE- 4x Ecotech XR30G5 Blue- AA PVC Hybrid Sump- Dual Synergy Shadow Boxes w Bean Animal- RO 220INT Elite- AquaMaxx cTech T3 CaRx- RD3 230- Apex- Tunze 6155, 6255 & 6150- MP40

10/28/2016, 03:59 PM	#6
tinfoilsoldier Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 54	I have 2 independent gfci outlets on our 180g, with a UPS to keep lights/circulation on during generator tests. Then lights, power heads and some heaters on one, return pump, more heat and accessories on the other gfci. Our old lights were tripping the circuit so I had the second one added for some redundancy. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk __________________ 180G+sump with Apex, RSM250+basement sump with Reefkeeper Elite. Automation and monitoring FTW. Mostly soft corals, with some euphylia, trumpets, and acans Current Tank Info: 180G at work, and RSM250 with basement sump at home

10/28/2016, 03:47 PM	#2
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Always use one.

10/28/2016, 04:22 PM	#9
spiraling Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: MT Posts: 49	I see it as a matter of your safety all the time, vs the fish part of the time. If you spill water around your outlet from the tank (which I do all the time) and you don't have the GFCI, then you can get electrocuted. That's what they prevent and why they are required in kitchens and bathrooms. Just make sure your power strip doesn't also have surge suppression, that can cause issues.

10/28/2016, 04:44 PM	#10
2smokes Moved On Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: romania Posts: 515	Here is my thread about RCD,GFCI with plenty of informations .http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...php?p=24769214 Better install one powerfull enough as the main circuit breaker on the entire house like i did (or the floor with aquarium if its a big house).You eliminate the risk of electric shock on the entire house that way not only to the socket where you have your aquarium conected.Always use GFCI because the pumps and heaters for aquarium these days arent made with grounding wire.They have just 2 wire socket and in case of a failure the GFCI can save your life.Saltwater is good electricity conductor,you will use a lot of electrical gadgets like lamp,pumps ,heater ,etc suposedly for a verry long time and in a corosive enviroment.The GFCI could save your life or your family.