No grounded outlets.

[Notsolostfish]

My basement is old, i had my electrician years ago rewire it, he got 2 seperate 20a outlets. But now with my second tank. Everything is grounded. But i have my wave makers cables wont reach. What are my options? Can i plug them in the outlet thats not grounded? Or thats too dangerous?

 

[UncommonSense]

My basement is old, i had my electrician years ago rewire it, he got 2 seperate 20a outlets. But now with my second tank. Everything is grounded. But i have my wave makers cables wont reach. What are my options? Can i plug them in the outlet thats not grounded? Or thats too dangerous?

Don’t do this; use an extension cord from a grounded outlet, or have the outlet rewired!

 

[UncommonSense]

Here’s context for why…

This heater came off a Red Sea reefer 450 I got for free…

The previous owner had no ground on the tank outlets…

This is what completely nuked the tank.

 

[Notsolostfish]

Here’s context for why…

This heater came off a Red Sea reefer 450 I got for free…

The previous owner had no ground on the tank outlets…

This is what completely nuked the tank.

Got u. Yeah i have a surge protector coming from a grounded outlet. My hydros plugged to it, roller matt, skimmer etc. its just the nero 5s cables are too short to reach the surge protector thats why im not sure what to do

 

[UncommonSense]

Yeah i have a surge protector coming from a grounded outlet.

The surge protector is moreso for the likes of lightning strikes, or if something crazy happens like 240v going through the wall outlets…

The important safety device you want here is a GFCI outlet!

its just the nero 5s cables are too short to reach the surge protector thats why im not sure what to do

In the long run, I’d see about getting a quote or two to get an electrician to pull new wires with a ground/install aGFCI outlet (if the wiring is ancient)… Or, just add a ground and GFCI outlet in place of the non-grounded outlet (if wiring is fairly modern)!

 

[Notsolostfish]

The surge protector is moreso for the likes of lightning strikes, or if something crazy happens like 240v going through the wall outlets…

The important safety device you want here is a GFCI outlet!

In the long run, I’d see about getting a quote or two to get an electrician to pull new wires with a ground/install aGFCI outlet (if the wiring is ancient)… Or, just add a ground and GFCI outlet in place of the non-grounded outlet (if wiring is fairly modern)!

My big 200G running on 2 seperate 20a grounded outlets ran by electrictian. I need gfci for that as well?

 

[UncommonSense]

My big 200G running on 2 seperate 20a grounded outlets ran by electrictian. I need gfci for that as well?

Ideally, yes!

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is used to kill power to the outlet(s) in question the moment it detects an electrical fault…

It is also important to have a grounding probe in the system; this is the path of least resistance if a piece of equipment fails catastrophically!

Without a grounding probe; YOU are the path of least resistance for electricity that is energizing the saltwater of the system!

— the GFCI is there to kill power when even a microscopic fault is detected… without it, you need a direct electrical short drawing many amps to physically trip that outlets circuit breaker before power is killed/water denergized!

 

[Notsolostfish]

Ideally, yes!

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is used to kill power to the outlet(s) in question the moment it detects an electrical fault…

It is also important to have a grounding probe in the system; this is the path of least resistance if a piece of equipment fails catastrophically!

Without a or grounding probe; YOU are the path of least resistance for electricity that is energizing the saltwater of the system!

— the GFCI is there to kill power when even a microscopic fault is detected… without it, you need a direct electrical short drawing many amps to physically trip that outlets circuit breaker before power is killed/water denergized!

Good to know. Something to do in the future

 

[theMeat]

There was a couple of years in the late 40s when 2 wire cables were used. Another words there is no ground wire.
In this case you can run a ground to ground, via ground rod pounded into earth, or run a ground to strap that’s clamped onto metal plumbing.
If that’s not an option a gfci outlet is your best option. Personally would replace any breakers that have 2 wire cables with gfci breakers, fish tank related or not, so that everything on those lines has protection

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Are your Nero’s DC Voltage with a Controller and transformer? If so you can get extension cords going from the controller to the pump cord, and locate the Controller and the Transformer, away from the Aquarium. They are available on eBay and Amazon.

 

[Notsolostfish]

Are your Nero’s DC Voltage with a Controller and transformer? If so you can get extension cords going from the controller to the pump cord, and locate the Controller and the Transformer, away from the Aquarium. They are available on eBay and Amazon.

Yes they have a controller and transformer

 

[Notsolostfish]

Are your Nero’s DC Voltage with a Controller and transformer? If so you can get extension cords going from the controller to the pump cord, and locate the Controller and the Transformer, away from the Aquarium. They are available on eBay and Amazon.

What do you mean available on amazon? Sorryy didn’t understand what u meant my neros have a regular power cable that
Plugs to the controller

 

[UncommonSense]

What do you mean available on amazon? Sorryy didn’t understand what u meant my neros have a regular power cable that
Plugs to the controller

I believe he’s referring to DC extension cables that go between your pumps and their controllers; allowing you to locate power supply/controller remotely at the outlet, and just have a longer cord running to each pump!

 

[Notsolostfish]

I believe he’s referring to DC extension cables that go between your pumps and their controllers; allowing you to locate power supply/controller remotely at the outlet, and just have a longer cord running to each pump!

Thats my power cable for the nero 5 i can get extension for those?

 

[UncommonSense]

Thats my power cable for the nero 5 i can get extension for those?

I’m unfamiliar with these pumps, but apparently you can! It’s worth looking into!

 

[Notsolostfish]

I’m unfamiliar with these pumps, but apparently you can! It’s worth looking into!

One last question for you. My power adapters, and power cords are on the ground behind my tank to reach surge protector. How do i protect them against water splashing from my tank in the future when i fill and do maintenance

 

[wrasse man]

Depending on your panel, you could replace the breaker with a GFCI breaker. It may be the easiest option, then you wouldn’t need the GFCI outlet. Breakers are simple to replace.

 

[cilyjr]

@UncommonSense is giving you the best advice. In the short term? I would simply replace the ungrounded outlets with a GFCI.

 

[Notsolostfish]

@UncommonSense is giving you the best advice. In the short term? I would simply replace the ungrounded outlets with a GFCI.

I actually figured Another solution for the time being. Use a 6 feet extension cord to my surge protector to plug my 2 nero 5s.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Also they have off brands that advertise heavier gauge wire.