Does it ever get too humid inside the sump area to have a power strip?

widmer · 10/16/2009, 12:30 AM

I got it in my head this evening to build a really cool outlet box into the inside of my aquarium stand. I'm about halfway through with it, and when it's finished it is going to be on the back wall, with a clear plastic door on the front which will shield all of the plugs from any salt spray coming from the sump, and the cords will just be routed out the bottom of it.

But then I got to thinking, would it ever get so humid in the stand that water vapor would condense around the terminals and cause a short? I don't really want to drill out the back of the cabinet to vent this power box, so I just thought I'd see what others think...

lordofthereef · 10/16/2009, 01:15 AM

I would be nervous, especially if it is fully closed as you are saying. Will you have any fans down there? That will bump up humidity for sure.

ludnix · 10/16/2009, 01:42 AM

I have a 3 outlet heavy duty strip in my stand. There has not been a short yet, but that doesn't mean much.

muttley000 · 10/16/2009, 03:57 AM

I would vent it somehow, JMO

gdavis17 · 10/16/2009, 05:54 AM

I have two power strips fixed to the inside wall of my stand where my sump is for about 1 1/2 yrs. I haven't noticed any issues, yet, but the back of my stand is open.

fishnut321 · 10/16/2009, 10:32 AM

mine has a open back and it develops a lot of humidity, enough that i wont even seal up the front unless i can put a fan down there. I was thinking of something along the same lines, but mounted on a wall like a control panel. Are you using dj power strips? You can make a cool enclosure that mounts on the wall with a swing open front panel to hide the wire/terminal mess. This way when you need to shut down a pump, etc.; all you have to do is flip a switch. Would look real nice and professional especially if you have controllers, vortech drivers etc mounted on the front of the control panel.

Good luck!

tangdiver · 10/16/2009, 11:02 AM

I have never had any issues, even when a tank started leaking (drip, drip, ) and it dripped on the power strip....it takes a lot to short it out....if a quality one, not a dollar store one, though.

Grant

b_s_c1 · 10/16/2009, 11:04 AM

I think you would be fine but if you would like to ease your mind you could make sure the box has a good seal so the humidity from your sump will not enter the electical box.

thedoctor06 · 10/16/2009, 11:12 AM

My stand is pretty airtight. Lately, I've noticed water condensing on the inside. All or my electrical equipment is inside, and that worries me. I had to take off one of the side doors to let humidity out until I can figure out a way to vent it without taking everything out. I'd vent it and have a fan or two. Two pennies...no need for change

goochesfish · 10/16/2009, 08:23 PM

I have a 4 ft long strip with 5 things plugged in. I have a fan at one end and the side door open at all times.The Strip is plugged to a GFCI outlet though. Once, after cleaning my skimmer, I noticed sparks when the skimmer pump was plugged back in. Nothing tripped.

10/16/2009, 12:30 AM	#1
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Does it ever get too humid inside the sump area to have a power strip? I got it in my head this evening to build a really cool outlet box into the inside of my aquarium stand. I'm about halfway through with it, and when it's finished it is going to be on the back wall, with a clear plastic door on the front which will shield all of the plugs from any salt spray coming from the sump, and the cords will just be routed out the bottom of it. But then I got to thinking, would it ever get so humid in the stand that water vapor would condense around the terminals and cause a short? I don't really want to drill out the back of the cabinet to vent this power box, so I just thought I'd see what others think...

10/16/2009, 01:15 AM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I would be nervous, especially if it is fully closed as you are saying. Will you have any fans down there? That will bump up humidity for sure. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/16/2009, 01:42 AM	#3
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	I have a 3 outlet heavy duty strip in my stand. There has not been a short yet, but that doesn't mean much. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

10/16/2009, 05:54 AM	#5
gdavis17 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Muncie, Indiana Posts: 496	I have two power strips fixed to the inside wall of my stand where my sump is for about 1 1/2 yrs. I haven't noticed any issues, yet, but the back of my stand is open. __________________ Half of my life is perfect because if I think about it I'm either at work or in front of my tank. Current Tank Info: 30 cube, 40# lr, 30# ls, misc. softies, 2 maroon clowns, lawnmower blenny

10/16/2009, 11:02 AM	#7
tangdiver Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sioux Falls South Dakota Posts: 1,231	I have never had any issues, even when a tank started leaking (drip, drip, ) and it dripped on the power strip....it takes a lot to short it out....if a quality one, not a dollar store one, though. Grant __________________ Its unwise to pay to much or to little When U pay to much U lose a little $ When U pay to little U sometimes lose it all because the thing U bought was incapable of doing the thing U bought it to do Current Tank Info: 6' long, 3' wide, 2' high, My tank is not worthy of Tank of the Month

10/16/2009, 03:57 AM	#4
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	I would vent it somehow, JMO

10/16/2009, 10:32 AM	#6
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	mine has a open back and it develops a lot of humidity, enough that i wont even seal up the front unless i can put a fan down there. I was thinking of something along the same lines, but mounted on a wall like a control panel. Are you using dj power strips? You can make a cool enclosure that mounts on the wall with a swing open front panel to hide the wire/terminal mess. This way when you need to shut down a pump, etc.; all you have to do is flip a switch. Would look real nice and professional especially if you have controllers, vortech drivers etc mounted on the front of the control panel. Good luck!

10/16/2009, 11:04 AM	#8
b_s_c1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 466	I think you would be fine but if you would like to ease your mind you could make sure the box has a good seal so the humidity from your sump will not enter the electical box.

10/16/2009, 11:12 AM	#9
thedoctor06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 188	My stand is pretty airtight. Lately, I've noticed water condensing on the inside. All or my electrical equipment is inside, and that worries me. I had to take off one of the side doors to let humidity out until I can figure out a way to vent it without taking everything out. I'd vent it and have a fan or two. Two pennies...no need for change

10/16/2009, 08:23 PM	#10
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	I have a 4 ft long strip with 5 things plugged in. I have a fan at one end and the side door open at all times.The Strip is plugged to a GFCI outlet though. Once, after cleaning my skimmer, I noticed sparks when the skimmer pump was plugged back in. Nothing tripped. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT