Almost burnt the house down today!!!!!

[Varga]

I got soooo lucky today! just came home to a smoke filled house! After having a little heart attack I finally got my nerves up and walked in the fish room. the surge protector that all my pumps were plugged into was melted and black!!! somehow the skimmer had over filled the skimmate bucket and got the protector wet and I guess it caused a small fire. luckily my halides are fine they were plugged into another outlet. and the PH is not that low (7.92)

what do you guys use to plug multiple stuff in? I have way too many things plugged into one outlet. any suggestions? I have to get a new one like right now since my main return pump, skimmer pump, and all the power heads and 3 fans are now off, even the metal thingys that plug into the wall are melted and just fell off!

[BigAl07]

I use Heavy Duty "Yellow Jacket" power strips. They are expensive and OVER kill but they are rock solid. Also all of my power strips are mounted up HIGH where no water can get to them.. I HOPE!!

Glad it worked out for the BEST!!!

Allen

[Varga]

I had that on my to do list item #1: mount the electrical stuff high and out of reach of spills everything is getting mounted up today!!

[BigAl07]

Now it's #2.... right after BUY new power strips


glad all worked out for the best

[blue_eyes53813]

Oh wow.. close call...

[Varga]

Thanks Allen. is there anything I can buy from home depot that will do the job?

how many things can I safely plug into one outlet? assuming my breaker can handle it. is there a formula? I have all my halides plugged into one outlet and the surge protector does get a bit hot.

you know, the second I walked in and saw the smoke my first thought was its those cheep chinese halides woooo so relieved

[BigAl07]

I don't know of a formula because I err on the side of caution.. I literally have 6 different ones under my tank. This makes it easy for me to turn off certain "Like" items with switches instead of everything going dead off of one switch.

Just go OVER kill with heavy guage wire and all.... I can't remember what brand HD carries but I know they have HEAVY DUTY electrical stuff....

[Varga]

looks something like this? but it has individual switches for each outlet?

did I mention my turf algae farm is dry as a bone?

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Varga

looks something like this?

Not really bro... lot's more compact with heavy guage wire (thick) going into it. I'll see if I can find a link for you. These are BRIGHT yellow made by "Yellow Jacket"

[lcstorc]

Glad things worked out ok.
I know we have our stuff spread out on 4 different outlets on two different circuits. Each one has a heavy duty powerstrip with a timer and they are all mounted in the stand away from the sump and fuge. I don't know specifically what kind or size they are but they are definitely heavier than your standard power strip.

[ZAPCOnj]

not sure how much stuff you have to plug in but these might be a good choice..

I have one of these for my GF's 60 gal tank

Originally Posted by product description

A 24-hour day-night alternating timer device. The unit can be set to turn on/off seven times per day at different days of the week. Unit has four constant power outlets and four alternating timer-controlled outlets (two daytime and two nighttime) to make the day and night lighting applications easier to manage. The digital feature allows the alternating timer to set the day-night cycle at different times of the day at different days of the week. When the two daytime timer-controlled outlets are on, the two nighttime timer-controlled outlets are off. Unit measures 12.75"L x 4.75"W x 2.75"D.

Features:

Eight-outlet timer/power strip
Four timer-controlled outlets
Seven time cycle settings
Alternates daytime and nighttime outlets
Can be set to turn on/off seven times per day at different days of the week
Four constant-power outlets
Master on/off control switch
Three-foot heavy-duty power cord
Sliding outlet safety covers
Three-prong grounded plug and outlets
15 amp 120 volt (1875 watts max.) circuit breaker
UL listed
Capacity of up to 1875 watts 15 amp

as well as one of these:

Originally Posted by product description

A day-night dual timer device that provides complete 24-hour lighting cycles from dawn, noon, dusk and nighttime. Can control two sets of water pumps using the alternating timer (total of four outlets) at 15 minute intervals (min.) or more to create a wave-maker application. The two sets of outlets will interchange between each other based on the timer setting. This wave-maker application creates a natural rhythm in your aquarium that replicates ocean tidal movements. Unit measures 16"L x 4.25"W x 1.75"D.

Features:

Controls three sets of lights

Dual day-night timers

Alternating timer - two Actinic Blue outlets and two Lunar Light outlets
Day-shift timer - three 10,000K daylight outlets
Constant power - one outlet
Multiple Timer Settings
24-hour mechanical timer
15-minute interval setting
Optional Wavemaker Application
Creates natural rythmic waves
Great for switching water pumps to create alternating water currents
UL listed

15 amp 120 volt (1875 watts max.) circuit breaker

maybe one of these would work for you.

[PEMfish]

Those are poorly made and are known to start fires them self's.

[jski711]

As far as an equation not really as long as you don't pull more than 15 amps on #14 wire and 20 amps on #12 wire. Really you should only run max 12 amps on a 15 amp circuit and 16 amps on a 20 amp ciruit. I would worry more about moisture than an overload that doesn't trip the breaker. Hth! Now you got me thinking!!!!

Jake

[DAHansen]

You should definitely invest in a GFCI - they have replacement outlets OR power-strip type things that plug straight into the outlet, but adds GFCI protection and additional plugs.

[Techno-Vicki]

Also, can you put some on different breakers? I had to have my dad come in a put my tanks on a seperate breaker that is a 30. Now everything is good. I use the heavy duty like Allen suggested as well. I have burned out a couple like you have with the cheap ones.