circut breaker???

garret · 09-06-2007, 02:05 AM

i want to up grade to a 125gal, i want to know if it can run with out it's own circut i'm pretty shure that i can run the lights on a different breaker than the filtration but the tank can not have it's own breaker there is no room in the breaker box, i am worried that i will get it all set up and end up tripping the breaker or somthing like that. am i at risk of not having enough power

DaveK · 09-06-2007, 03:34 AM

A lot of this will depend upon the type of equipment that will be in use. If you are running 250w bulbs and MH lighting, a chiller, a large powerful skimmer, a return pump, multiple powerheads, a closed loop on a large pump, and so on, you may need to have additional power lines run.

I had to do this on my 125 gal reef, when I got most of those above items. What I did was to run two 15A dedicated lines for the tank.

You might want to have an electrician check your circuit box. Often they can add an additional breaker or two by using half size breakers. You could also have them install GFI breakers for the tank.

AQTCJAK · 09-06-2007, 11:06 AM

I agree make sure your breaks mathc if ot exceed your breakers

garret · 09-06-2007, 03:31 PM

ok i think it will be alright, i still canot run a dedicated circut but t can split the load between 3 breakers there are 3 outlets near the tank and each is on a different breaker

KodiakBear · 09-06-2007, 04:13 PM

Have you considered running a sub panel instead of just feeding new breakers into your existing breaker panel? You could customize that to do just about whatever you wanted.

tbittner · 09-06-2007, 09:43 PM

If you have three circuits to draw from you should be alright. I would HIGHLY recommend that you have the breakers changed out with GFCI breakers though. Water and electric don't mix and you will have spills/accidents.

DaveK · 09-06-2007, 10:09 PM

While I am a big fan of GFCI breakers, and use them for my aquariums, when I will be away, I make sure I have the main circulation pumps plugged into non-GFCI breakers.

GFCI can be a little flakey and break the circuit, almost because it wants to. I once lost my entire reef because I was away, and both GFCI breakers tripped, shutting down all power to the tank.

tbittner · 09-06-2007, 10:13 PM

Agreed Dave, GFCI breakers can be a little flakey, and if they trip, it generally means it's time to replace them. They get more sensitive to load over time. Reef contents can be replaced, you yourself can't be.

09-06-2007, 02:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
garret Bryozoan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	circut breaker??? i want to up grade to a 125gal, i want to know if it can run with out it's own circut i'm pretty shure that i can run the lights on a different breaker than the filtration but the tank can not have it's own breaker there is no room in the breaker box, i am worried that i will get it all set up and end up tripping the breaker or somthing like that. am i at risk of not having enough power

09-06-2007, 03:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: circut breaker??? A lot of this will depend upon the type of equipment that will be in use. If you are running 250w bulbs and MH lighting, a chiller, a large powerful skimmer, a return pump, multiple powerheads, a closed loop on a large pump, and so on, you may need to have additional power lines run. I had to do this on my 125 gal reef, when I got most of those above items. What I did was to run two 15A dedicated lines for the tank. You might want to have an electrician check your circuit box. Often they can add an additional breaker or two by using half size breakers. You could also have them install GFI breakers for the tank.

09-06-2007, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,937 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: circut breaker??? I agree make sure your breaks mathc if ot exceed your breakers __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

09-06-2007, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
garret Bryozoan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: circut breaker??? ok i think it will be alright, i still canot run a dedicated circut but t can split the load between 3 breakers there are 3 outlets near the tank and each is on a different breaker

09-06-2007, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
KodiakBear Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbine, GA Posts: 790 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: circut breaker??? Have you considered running a sub panel instead of just feeding new breakers into your existing breaker panel? You could customize that to do just about whatever you wanted. __________________ Isaiah 6:8 I once prayed God would grant me patience. The next day I was starting a reef aquarium. My Confession

09-06-2007, 09:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: circut breaker??? If you have three circuits to draw from you should be alright. I would HIGHLY recommend that you have the breakers changed out with GFCI breakers though. Water and electric don't mix and you will have spills/accidents. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

09-06-2007, 10:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: circut breaker??? While I am a big fan of GFCI breakers, and use them for my aquariums, when I will be away, I make sure I have the main circulation pumps plugged into non-GFCI breakers. GFCI can be a little flakey and break the circuit, almost because it wants to. I once lost my entire reef because I was away, and both GFCI breakers tripped, shutting down all power to the tank.

09-06-2007, 10:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: circut breaker??? Agreed Dave, GFCI breakers can be a little flakey, and if they trip, it generally means it's time to replace them. They get more sensitive to load over time. Reef contents can be replaced, you yourself can't be. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

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