GFCI Outlet poll

[MarcF]

I think I agree with you - but taking it from someone who had a SW tank in his daughters room. and it caught on fire - with a GFI - yeah - there's that.

Why did that happen? Can you say? I'm getting nervous. I could use a little peace of mind, if anyone can offer any.

 

[MnFish1]

Why did that happen? Can you say? I'm getting nervous. I could use a little peace of mind, if anyone can offer any.

This is something for @Brew12 If it makes you feel better - it was years ago and never repeated

 

[MarcF]

ah. I guess I mis attributed the quote then? But thanks. I'm a jittery sort of guy. It's a big move - not life and death I keep reminding myself. Well, it's life and death to the fish. My spidy sense is tingling. But, it's coming in Thurs (or maybe tomorrow). Once it's delivered I'll be too busy to be jittery.

 

[gotmesalty77]

i work in commercial construction and have seen GFCI's save peoples lives on countless occasions. My own included. I do not have any in home story i can relate to the home aquarium but i can tell you electricity isnt a joke and should always be regarded with the utmost respect. i can link you to some horrific youtube videos if you really need further proof.

 

[Mattman1977]

I asked the same question a few months ago and @Brew12 pointed me towards the gfci and pigtails from his post. I went that way on my 24gal jbj nano cube aio with apex and am super happy with it.

I have duel gfci under tank my apex plugged into one and a mp10 and heater with rancho controller plugged into the other. Would definitely do a similar setup on my larger system when I set them up.

Matt

 

[LC8Sumi]

Here where I live it's mandatory by law to have a GFCI right before the main breakers.
That said, one thing to consider is UPS vs. GFCI -> If you run a UPS downstream of the GFCI, then even if the GFCI trips, most of the UPS'es will be happy to supply power through your body, till it discharges. So this is one reason I'd seriously advise against using conventional UPS-es to power/back up tanks, where there is elevated chances for broken wires and whatnot. A grounding probe might help in this situation, as it will probably give a less resistant path than your body, but it's still playing your luck.

 

[Quietman]

GFCI and ground probes. You can split on multiple GFCI but yeah,I think they're required.

Breakers and fuses protect your house, GFCI protect you and livestock.

Remember though that GFCI require maintenance and the can age quickly so need to be tested often. If it's behind your tank and inaccessible that isn't optimal.

 

[Mattman1977]

Remember though that GFCI require maintenance and the can age quickly so need to be tested often. If it's behind your tank and inaccessible that isn't optimal.

that’s a great point that people forget about

Matt

 

[SMSREEF]

Question for R2R guru @Brew12
If I have 2 separate GFCI’s is the following plan ok?
1st: only the return pump and heater(titanium 3 prong)
2nd: all other equipment

 

[Brew12]

Question for R2R guru @Brew12
If I have 2 separate GFCI’s is the following plan ok?
1st: only the return pump and heater(titanium 3 prong)
2nd: all other equipment

I would put the return pump on a separate circuit from the heater. Then, if you have multiple power heads, split those between the circuits, also.

The heater seems to be the most likely device to fail, and the return pump is critical in my system. I don't keep them together.

 

[CuzzA]

And if your Apex happens to fail and your tank is without power overnight, everything will be dead. Save for a few Inverts.

I agree on the grounding probe for sure and everyone will have to wager what they are or aren't willing to risk themselves. For me I'll be running an external return pump so the odds of stray voltage from it entering the tank are slim to none so it gets a regular outlet with other water proofing measures, everything else, definitely a GFCI. Obviously everyone's setup is different so it's all a matter of taking other things into consideration.

I will add that not everyone has the luxury to have this option and I fully understand that, just presenting sorted the best scenario. You could run a dual outlet setup, one outlet standard and the other GFCI. All you would need to do is wire in the supply line to the first regular outlet then pigtail into the GFCI for a total of 4 outlets in the box (yes you would need a larger dual plug receptacle box). But this would give you the best of both worlds. If something trips the GFCI it will kill the power to itself and any other outlets down stream of it. BUT your other outlet upstream eventhough it's right next to it will keep on trucking....

The Apex power monitoring is cloud based. If the Apex fails, you get notified.

 

[CuzzA]

Firstly we need to consider whether their is any significant evidence that people have been killed by their aquariums . Or is it just a scare tactic promoted by GFCI makers?!?! GFCI circuits can’t melt steel beams!

Yes, there are threads on hobbyist dying. More so houses burning down. If there is water within ten feet of an outlet it should have a GFCI protected circuit.

 

[TheHarold]

Yes, there are threads on hobbyist dying. More so houses burning down. If there is water within ten feet of an outlet it should have a GFCI protected circuit.

There are multiple threads on hobbyists dying? To getting shocked? Forgive me for my ignorance, but I’ve been on forums for years and have yet to see one. Google doesn’t show anything either, besides a clickbait Wordpress article.

Have any links to threads you are referring to? ;Bored

 

[CuzzA]

Personally, I would not have a tank on a non protected circuit. If you are concerned about a GFCI outlet tripping, use a GFCI circuit breaker. They are far more robust, yet just as effective and easy to install. Cost about $40.

On my system I wired two dedicated circuits, both on GFCI breakers. I also have a grounding probe in the display and the sump. My system is also on a battery back up with an automatic transfer switch.

Here is my setup. There's also a link to a dead electrocuted hobbyist and further reading about GFCI and Grounding Probes.

Simple, Effective, Expandable Reef Tank Battery Back Up System

On a different forum I shared my battery backup system and figured I would add it here to help anyone looking for a solid setup. Yes, there are many ways to do it, but from my research UPSs are unreliable and only last a few hours depending on the model. Some aquarium product manufacturers...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[SMSREEF]

I would put the return pump on a separate circuit from the heater. Then, if you have multiple power heads, split those between the circuits, also.

The heater seems to be the most likely device to fail, and the return pump is critical in my system. I don't keep them together.

Thank you so much!

 

[CuzzA]

There are multiple threads on hobbyists dying? To getting shocked? Forgive me for my ignorance, but I’ve been on forums for years and have yet to see one. Google doesn’t show anything either, besides a clickbait Wordpress article.

Have any links to threads you are referring to? ;Bored

A WordPress article from an electrical engineer.

Aquarist Found Dead

This could be the next major headline in the nation’s newspapers, and it could be you that dies. I’m talking about placing your hands in your aquarium and getting electrocuted. All beca…

joejaworski.wordpress.com

Electrocuted to death from aquarium.

R.I.P. Herkie

Dunno where to place this thread. Mods, feel free to move. It is with great sadness that I have to let you all know that Herkie passed away last night..... We all know him as the great plan maker and huge DIY'er. I spoke to him just before he died yesterday afternoon and am still in...

www.marineaquariumsa.com

Burned up house from an aquarium electrical strip.

Photos of my house fire...aquarium put it out. - Reef Central Online Community

Photos of my house fire...aquarium put it out. Reef Discussion

www.reefcentral.com

A news report covering aquarium fires.

FOX43 Reveals: A common culprit of house fires we wouldn’t suspect

YORK COUNTY, Pa. – Investigators are warning about a common culprit of house fires that we would have never suspected: aquariums. FOX43 Reveals how quickly they...

fox43.com

Maybe we don't hear more about aquarium related deaths from posters because..... They're dead.

 

[TheHarold]

Electrocuted to death from aquarium.

R.I.P. Herkie

Dunno where to place this thread. Mods, feel free to move. It is with great sadness that I have to let you all know that Herkie passed away last night..... We all know him as the great plan maker and huge DIY'er. I spoke to him just before he died yesterday afternoon and am still in...

www.marineaquariumsa.com

Maybe we don't hear more about aquarium related deaths from posters because..... They're dead.

Yes, I saw that one in your thread. Tragedy.

So is the risk of dying from electrical shock in your aquarium more or less than the risk of dying via palytoxin?

I always encourage logic. One in 600 people die in a car crash. Still, I doubt you walk to the supermarket.

I’m not discouraging GFCI. I’m asking that we don’t fear monger

 

[piranhaman00]

Not that I am aware of. I'm guessing it is a manufacturing issue.

Well I have two 40 watt pentairs running on the newly installed GFCI, seems to be working properly.

A WordPress article from an electrical engineer.

Aquarist Found Dead

This could be the next major headline in the nation’s newspapers, and it could be you that dies. I’m talking about placing your hands in your aquarium and getting electrocuted. All beca…

joejaworski.wordpress.com

Electrocuted to death from aquarium.

R.I.P. Herkie

Dunno where to place this thread. Mods, feel free to move. It is with great sadness that I have to let you all know that Herkie passed away last night..... We all know him as the great plan maker and huge DIY'er. I spoke to him just before he died yesterday afternoon and am still in...

www.marineaquariumsa.com

Burned up house from an aquarium electrical strip.

Photos of my house fire...aquarium put it out. - Reef Central Online Community

Photos of my house fire...aquarium put it out. Reef Discussion

www.reefcentral.com

A news report covering aquarium fires.

FOX43 Reveals: A common culprit of house fires we wouldn’t suspect

YORK COUNTY, Pa. – Investigators are warning about a common culprit of house fires that we would have never suspected: aquariums. FOX43 Reveals how quickly they...

fox43.com

Maybe we don't hear more about aquarium related deaths from posters because..... They're dead.

This is scary stuff, just installed GFCI portable outlets on all my tanks. Thanks for the post!

Question, are all three prong powerstrips grounded? ie. can I plug in a grounding probe into a three prong powerstrip?

Thanks!

 

[Brew12]

Well I have two 40 watt pentairs running on the newly installed GFCI, seems to be working properly.



This is scary stuff, just installed GFCI portable outlets on all my tanks. Thanks for the post!

Question, are all three prong powerstrips grounded? ie. can I plug in a grounding probe into a three prong powerstrip?

Thanks!

As long as you don't buy some crazy cheap off brand it should be just fine. I know that quite a few years ago some powerstrips came from China without any actual connections to the ground but that is a very unusual situation. And no, the switch doesn't disconnect the ground so it will work even if the power strip is turned off.

 

[JoshH]

The Apex power monitoring is cloud based. If the Apex fails, you get notified.

Once again this is assuming you can do something about the notification. If you happen to be away or heck even asleep at home, a notification isn't going to wake you up and your tank could go all night with no power. Now there are ways around that with battery backups and such, either way Smart planning is what it's all about. Risks, whether they are actually present or not are at the end of the day the responsibility of the Hobbyist. And everyone's going to have a different viewpoint on acceptable risk.

Nothing wrong with going the safe route with things, as I said before, my return pump will be on a non-GFCI outlet. But it's an external pump so the chance of voltage leaking from it into the aquarium is astronomically low. My heaters and lights however will absolutely be on a GFCI. Again, here I have assessed my own risk level and my power distribution plans reflect the risk level I'm willing to accept.