gfi outlet

littlefoot · 12/12/2006, 10:11 PM

Ok so I called an electrician and hes going to put in gfi outlet sat. Is that what I need to run tank? Is it important?

aclos3 · 12/12/2006, 10:16 PM

It is highly recommended that you use GFCI outlets on your tank.. you dont want to electicute you or your fish. GFI = GFCI as far as I know...people just shorten in it I think.

Stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

I installed my own, but I have been used to doing that kind of thing since i was a little kid. If you are not at all familiar with electrical, hiring an electrician is not a bad choice. I hope it doesnt cost much though, because a GFCI install should take 5 minutes, TOPS.

aclos3 · 12/12/2006, 10:18 PM

I forgot to add. What size is your tank and what kind of power demands do you have. Depending on the size and load on that circuit, it might not be a bad idea to consider installing a circuit dedicated to the tank.

I would think anything over 90 gallons with halides should probably have a circuit on its own. Standard circuits in houses these days are 15 amps.

littlefoot · 12/12/2006, 10:23 PM

Thanks its 46g and cost to install is 75dollars. Ive installed alot of things but when it comes to that sort of thing especially affecting my tank, Id rather be safe than sorry. He can do it quickly and if I do it and mess up tank could be down too long.

aclos3 · 12/12/2006, 11:07 PM

ya, $75 seems like a good deal to get an electrictian out to your house. Have fun with the tank.

supertech3 · 12/13/2006, 12:07 AM

it is a good idea to have a gfci outlet installed to protect you and if some of your equipment fail it will trip the outlet and this will keep from electricity being in your tank and shocking you or your fish. another thing about aclos comment of having a dedicated circuit it is nice to have when your tank has a big current draw but if not installed just keep in mind which other outlets are on that same circuit as your tank (if unsure when the electrician replaces the outlet ask him which other outlets, switches, or lights are on that circuit)

FlipFlops24/7 · 12/13/2006, 08:06 AM

my dad just installed mine on Saturday. You should ask your friends or family. It took my dad 5 minutes. Thats $75 you could spend on new fish/corals :-)

grigsy · 12/13/2006, 04:48 PM

You could also get a GFCI apaptor and simply plug those in. I think premium aquatics sells a 5 outlet for about $17 each.

12/12/2006, 10:11 PM	#1
littlefoot Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 316	gfi outlet Ok so I called an electrician and hes going to put in gfi outlet sat. Is that what I need to run tank? Is it important?

12/13/2006, 08:06 AM	#7
FlipFlops24/7 I'd tap that glass Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 1,247	my dad just installed mine on Saturday. You should ask your friends or family. It took my dad 5 minutes. Thats $75 you could spend on new fish/corals :-) __________________ T.J. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder with 29g sump. 1x150w 10K MH HQI & 2x96w PC actinics

12/12/2006, 10:16 PM	#2
aclos3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 394	It is highly recommended that you use GFCI outlets on your tank.. you dont want to electicute you or your fish. GFI = GFCI as far as I know...people just shorten in it I think. Stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. I installed my own, but I have been used to doing that kind of thing since i was a little kid. If you are not at all familiar with electrical, hiring an electrician is not a bad choice. I hope it doesnt cost much though, because a GFCI install should take 5 minutes, TOPS.

12/12/2006, 10:18 PM	#3
aclos3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 394	I forgot to add. What size is your tank and what kind of power demands do you have. Depending on the size and load on that circuit, it might not be a bad idea to consider installing a circuit dedicated to the tank. I would think anything over 90 gallons with halides should probably have a circuit on its own. Standard circuits in houses these days are 15 amps.

12/12/2006, 10:23 PM	#4
littlefoot Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 316	Thanks its 46g and cost to install is 75dollars. Ive installed alot of things but when it comes to that sort of thing especially affecting my tank, Id rather be safe than sorry. He can do it quickly and if I do it and mess up tank could be down too long.

12/12/2006, 11:07 PM	#5
aclos3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 394	ya, $75 seems like a good deal to get an electrictian out to your house. Have fun with the tank.

12/13/2006, 12:07 AM	#6
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	it is a good idea to have a gfci outlet installed to protect you and if some of your equipment fail it will trip the outlet and this will keep from electricity being in your tank and shocking you or your fish. another thing about aclos comment of having a dedicated circuit it is nice to have when your tank has a big current draw but if not installed just keep in mind which other outlets are on that same circuit as your tank (if unsure when the electrician replaces the outlet ask him which other outlets, switches, or lights are on that circuit)

12/13/2006, 04:48 PM	#8
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	You could also get a GFCI apaptor and simply plug those in. I think premium aquatics sells a 5 outlet for about $17 each.