GFCI?

[purpletiger]

Getting ready to start my build journey. Do I need a GFCI outlet installed? Current outlet that will be used is directly behind the tank so I don’t want to have to deal with this later once everything is in place. I bought the grounding probe and two good surge protectors as well that will be used.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@Nor'easter Reefer

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Getting ready to start my build journey. Do I need a GFCI outlet installed? Current outlet that will be used is directly behind the tank so I don’t want to have to deal with this later once everything is in place. I bought the grounding probe and two good surge protectors as well that will be used.

Its generally considered good practice to put your system on a gfci. That said, I also wouldnt put all of my life support equipment on one single gfci. Thought being that if your gfci trips from a bad heater or powerhead, now your pumps off, your heaters are off, your powerheads are off. As an electrician.. I probably ought to have a gfci on my system lol. Food for thought as well, GFCI powerstrips are regularly available.

Edit: I should state, if you dont use a GFCI of some sort you run the very real risk of getting shocked. To what extent varies. I've been shocked in the past via my tank, but I addressed this and now dont stick my hands in the sump while im barefoot in the basement just in case lol.

 

[SaltyBlue]

I’d recommend a combo GFCI / AFCI. The GFCI protects you, the AFCI reduces risk of fire caused by electrical arcing, like the arcing caused by an outlet getting wet. As @Nor'easter Reefer noted, you want to ensure you have enough life support powered separately to keep things alive in the event things trip and you aren’t available to address it right away. If you aren’t able to have a separate circuit, you could use a battery backup strategy such as MP40 w/ battery backup or similar.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I love these things.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

interesting! you use this in place of a power bar?

 

[UncommonSense]

Its generally considered good practice to put your system on a gfci.

I’d go so far as to say that some form of GFCI protection should be mandatory for all saltwater aquariums!

Given that they are required by code for every outlet in a residential bathroom, which is only exposed to freshwater, and often isn’t on a concrete slab…

Electrical safety should not be taken lightly!

Edit: I should probably add that GFCI devices should be regularly tested (though very few people actually do, it’s not a bad idea…) also, they do have a finite lifespan, and are a maintenance item; try not to bury them behind things so tightly that they cannot be changed years down the road!

 

[tinytidesnano]

You can get a decent quality plug in gfci unit from Amazon. Just plug it into your existing outlet. I plug my DJ switches directly into it- that way everything on the bus is protected.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I DO NOT put my system on a GFCI/ARC. I never have. Never will. However, if you look at my build thread, I have 6 dedicated circuits to my fish room that are all installed at the 6’6” height. I also have a meaningful amount of grounding in each body of water within my entire system.

 

[purpletiger]

I should have also provided these other pieces of information: Tank is on the second story and has carpet underneath (no slab), house is a new build and has the new arc fault breakers.

Also, isn’t the grounding probe supposed to keep you from getting shocked?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

For me I’m glad I had a gfci because it prevented a potential fire from happening. I had water from my overflow get into the power box for my light one time, and if it wasn’t for one of those tripping a breaker, idk what would have happened. So personally, I highly recommend some form of gfci protection.

 

[KStatefan]

I would not use a grounding probe unless I was using a GFCI.

I use multiple GFCI outlets on two circuits.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

For me I’m glad I had a gfci because it prevented a potential fire from happening. I had water from my overflow get into the power box for my light one time, and if it wasn’t for one of those tripping a breaker, idk what would have happened. So personally, I highly recommend some form of gfci protection.

Yeah, I had a couple similar situations over the years where I had power strips / EBs under the stand. For me, and to each their own, I designed my system so that in order for water to hit my electrical connections, I’d have to be filming Twister 5 in my house. Eventually GFCIs will start to have false trips. 1 false trip and it could be lights out. So, when I had them add the 120 amp box To my fish room. We did it in a way that would require me to have all my bricks, etc, way way above the water line.

However, being Murphy is a real person and on my payroll, I have dropped a couple “hot” items in my sump accidentally. Most recently a 110v air pump went for a swim for about 30 seconds. Very very anticlimactic.

 

[Üter]

Getting ready to start my build journey. Do I need a GFCI outlet installed? Current outlet that will be used is directly behind the tank so I don’t want to have to deal with this later once everything is in place. I bought the grounding probe and two good surge protectors as well that will be used.

I'd split it if you're already installing something. 2 separate circuits. you'll appreciate that later.

 

[BonnieB]

My son’s an electrician and he definitely recommends GFCI. Like it was said though don’t put all your eggs in one basket for your life support system. I have two dedicated circuits for my tanks but still watch the load. For my pico tank I have a GFCI power strip!

 

[tharbin]

I will not run a tank without a GFCI, and if the outlet is near the tank, an outdoor rated cover on the outlet. I however never use construction type (i.e. non-resetting) GFCIs. I use self resetting GFCIs (like on some power washers, etc.) that way a false trip won't leave the tank off if I'm out.

 

[cruzersmith]

I have kept aquariums for 60+ years including before gfci was even a thing. I have never had one on a tank because I understand that where my tanks are and have been it would be impossible for me to get a shock because there is no way for me to become energized and provide a current path to ground. I am not saying you should not use one if you feel you need to. I just share my experience. I was an electrician for over 50 years and found gfi’s more often nuisance tripped. And some failed to trip when needed. A tank on a floor not touching the earth like a basement floor will not provide a path to ground unlike in areas of the house full of plumbing like a kitchen or bath room with faucets and metal pipes. Thus the code requiring gfci receptacles. Now as far as equipment protection a gfi will trip much quicker than a circuit breaker in a ground fault situation, but this is sometimes why they nuisance trip because they sense a differential between the source and return current which can happen for a numerous variety of reasons. So one needs to understand the risks involved in having one as well as not. For me the risk of not is too small to warrant the possibility of losing livestock because it would trip when it shouldn’t.

 

[Dweaver]

You should have a GFCI/AFCI on some equipment.
Mine is setup with multiple feeders and I have GFCI/AFCI on components that are in the water, really just my reef mat, heaters, skimmer. My pumps are out of water and I have 3 different heater circuits so if one GFCI trips it’s ok. There’s current monitoring in place so I know if one of the GFCI trips pretty quick.