Dedicated elctrical circuit

Hey everyody, I'm thinking of running a dedicated circuit for my tank. Yes, it would be done by a qualified electrician because electricity scares me and I don't have the slightest idea of how to do it, I'll let the pro's get shocked . What I'm looking for is suggestions and ideas about what I should have done: wattage (110 or 220), # of outlets, GFCI (of course, yes), placement, etc, etc. Thank in advance for your input. 8)

 

I believe you mean 110 volts, not wattage. 110 will power everything I know of in this hobby... Perhaps some LARGE chillers may need 220? :

Sure, add a dedicated line, it will allow for greater options down the road. what are your present requirements?
That will influence what further recommendations we could make.

(I work in electronics, and 220 SCARES ME!!!)

 

Right now I've got a 110 FOWLR tank and compact flourescent lights plugged into the same circuit everything else in the basement room is on: computer, treadmill, excersize bike, piano, etc, etc. It was all fine and good until the wife decided she wanted the Christmas tree in the basement then it was overload/breaker flip. Now it's a matter of rotating things on and off until the tree comes down (hopefully soon). I'd like to have the option of a bigger tank (200+ gallons) and metal halides for a reef tank later.You are right, 110 volts not watts. See, told you I shouldn't mess with electricity. Talked with an electrician today and he told me it wouldn't be that hard to do. The panel is in the garage and the walls there are open studs for the most part. I'll only have to go through the laundry room a short distance to be able to cross over to the family room where everything is at. He suggested two dedicated circuits for the fish stuff, complete overkill but I'll have more options later.

 

you plug your piano into an outlet???

 

Yep, it's a portable grand by Yamaha. My girls are taking lessons.

 

I would ask the electrician how much more expensive it would be to install a subpanel. For me, it was only like a $75 difference.

I also used dedicated circuits. I like to have my powerheads on a different circuit than my return pumps. That way, if a circuit blows when I'm gone, I still have water movement.

 

inwall75, what are the advantages of putting in a subpanel? Doesn't that just hook right back into the main panel, kind of like an extension cord? Wouldn't it be easier to just add a couple of breakers to the existing panel? I appreciate the input.

 

I don't know why a subpanel is being brought up? : I am a licensed electrician and all you should ever need for a single tank is a 120 volt 20 amp dedicated circuit. You could ask to have a quad receptacle put in that will give you 4 outlets on the 20 amp circuit. I have installed power for many friends tanks and that is all I ever do and I think that is plenty. For example my tank has metal halide lighting and all the usual equipment and it only draws 6.5-7 amps at full load . Good luck

 

Crabby Jim, would two 20 amp circuits just be to much then? Would a single 20 amp circuit be able to meet the needs of a 200 gallon tank with MH lights and everything else to keep it running right? I'd hate to cut myself short and not be able to meet the electrical needs after spending a ton of money on all the gear needed to run it. Obviously I don't know the difference between an amp and a watt or anything else electrical so this is all an education for me. I thought an amp was something you plug a speaker into to make the music louder.

 

huh, that's neat! never heard of a plug in piano before, i know about keyboards of course.