Electrical safety: How are you being safe?

[Gumbies R Us]

I feel like a big fear for many reefers is making sure we don't have electrical problems, whether the power going out, fire hazards, or something zapping our tank. For my tank, I use a GFCI outlet to prevent a fire hazard from happening with our tank, and I ensure my chords have drip loops so water doesn't lead straight into the outlet. How are you staying safe with your electrical needs? Photo Credit: @djkms

 

[Dragen Fiend]

GFCI outlet> surge protector strip>ground probe.

I actually don't do drip loops, though something I can implement. Especially with dosing/ATO tubing.

 

[Dburr1014]

GFCI on equipment and a titanium heater(acts as a ground probe).

 

[iReefer12]

That looks clean Gumbie! Nice.

This is a subject I worry about a lot too. I’ve heard of too many stories of fires or almost fires happening from mixing water & electricity.

I took the measure to remove all the electronics from under the stand and mount on the wall of the fish room, high up off the ground and above the water levels. Tried to not put too much power on one power strip or outlet and had the adequate number of dedicated circuits to cover the max potential electrical load.

These are all luxuries, sometimes there’s no way to add additional electrical circuits, or have space to mount on the wall of a fish room etc, but worth considering and thinking about if your planning a future build.

I used this little spreadsheet to help me plan my electrical distribution, ensure I was spreading the load out and it helped me visualize it.

Also, I picked up this Nest smoke detector.. this way, I don’t need to worry IF my house burned down if I’m away.. I’ll know it did.

https://a.co/d/1pKSEJv

 

[Gumbies R Us]

That looks clean Gumbie! Nice.

This is a subject I worry about a lot too. I’ve heard of too many stories of fires or almost fires happening from mixing water & electricity.

I took the measure to remove all the electronics from under the stand and mount on the wall of the fish room, high up off the ground and above the water levels. Tried to not put too much power on one power strip or outlet and had the adequate number of dedicated circuits to cover the max potential electrical load.

These are all luxuries, sometimes there’s no way to add additional electrical circuits, or have space to mount on the wall of a fish room etc, but worth considering and thinking about if your planning a future build.

I used this little spreadsheet to help me plan my electrical distribution, ensure I was spreading the load out and it helped me visualize it.

Also, I picked up this Nest smoke detector.. this way, I don’t need to worry IF my house burned down if I’m away.. I’ll know it did.

https://a.co/d/1pKSEJv

Not my setup! I was trying to find a good example picture, haha. Mine just has a simple outlet under the tank that is mounted inside, connected to a gfci outlet.

 

[djkms]

Not my setup! I was trying to find a good example picture, haha. Mine just has a simple outlet under the tank that is mounted inside, connected to a gfci outlet.

Thanks for using me as an example (hopefully a good one lol). Its a ton of equipment on a 600 gallon. I built a false wall with space behind to hide the cords as best as I could with space between the mounting boards. here is a pic of it before the installation:

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thanks for using me as an example (hopefully a good one lol). Its a ton of equipment on a 600 gallon. I built a false wall with space behind to hide the cords as best as I could with space between the mounting boards. here is a pic of it before the installation:

It is a good example! I liked how yours was very organized in the space you have. The false wall idea is smart!

 

[piranhaman00]

I always post on these types of threads a reminder that:

Ground probes/ titanium heaters are very dangerous if they are not hooked into a properly functioning GFI outlet.

:)

 

[Fish Fan]

GFCI on equipment and a titanium heater(acts as a ground probe).

I always post on these types of threads a reminder that:

Ground probes/ titanium heaters are very dangerous if they are not hooked into a properly functioning GFI outlet.

:)

Thanks for this guys! I just got a titanium heater, and I thought the titanium was just for protection, I didn't realize they worked that way.

 

[BristleWormHater]

My power is mounted on the wall, above the tank. Unless the cat gets in the tank there shouldn't be any water splashing up there.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My power is mounted on the wall, above the tank. Unless the cat gets in the tank there shouldn't be any water splashing up there.

Do you have a picture?

 

[mpatterson42]

I always post on these types of threads a reminder that:

Ground probes/ titanium heaters are very dangerous if they are not hooked into a properly functioning GFI outlet.

:)

That's interesting, can you tell me more? I have: Outlet > 15 amp In-Line GFCI > Surge Protector > Inkbird Temperature Controller > Titanium Heater. Is that fine since I have the In-Line GFCI outlet?

 

[PR_nano]

Woke up to stagnant water. No power, ran to the breaker panel and sure enough it was tripped. Try unplugging a few usual suspects and sure enough



Just glad I’m off from work today. Need a heater and return pump (not working) hopefully is just clog/cleaning.

 

[Dburr1014]

Woke up to stagnant water. No power, ran to the breaker panel and sure enough it was tripped. Try unplugging a few usual suspects and sure enough



Just glad I’m off from work today. Need a heater and return pump (not working) hopefully is just clog/cleaning.

My tip for heaters and other items; but another heater after one year, replace the old and store it. If the new one breaks or malfunctions, you still have the 1 year old heater as a replacement until you can buy a new one.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Gfci protected outlets and ground probes on all five tanks. This is the most important equipment for every tank, yet the most ignored, imo.

 

[Fish Fan]

Gfci protected outlets and ground probes on all five tanks. This is the most important equipment for every tank, yet the most ignored, imo.

I've always used a GFCI protected outlet for my tanks. A real easy solution could be something like this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tower-Manu...xtO56qYJGnPDroVl4yhoCd-kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I have 2 dedicated circuits with GFCI protection.

I also strongly recommend a controller with leak sensors. Leaks can quickly lead to problems with all of the electrical equipment in most stands. I have Hydros programed so that if a leak is detected all of the equipment in the sump turns off and the tank runs on power heads alone. Most often a leak is caused by a malfunction in the sump like a leaky return or drain line, leaky UV, leaky reactor, or overflowing skimmer. The sooner the gear gets turned off the more the leak is minimized.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Do you have a picture?