Please use GFCI!

I would suppose you also do not wear your seatbelt while travelling in a motorized vehicle, even though it is "definitely a good idea".

For your reading enjoyment:

Stick your hand in there without GFCI protection and you could get a real "shock"
Powerhead causes aquarium to be energized:
Aquarium Power Head Recall

GFCI in pools and spas (kinda like an aquarium, especially those with really big aquariums):
Install GFCI Protection for Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs

"[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]A ground fault circuit interrrupter is an inexpensive electrical device that, if installed in household branch circuits, could prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions still occurring each year in and around the home."[/FONT][/FONT]
General GFCI stuff:
GFCIs Fact Sheet

 

I never wear seat belts. In high school a friend of mine got into an accident and burned to death because he couldn't get out of it. Again, I am not a big safety advocate but in the case of the GFCI I can't see it being a bad thing safety wise. But don't be ignorant to the fact that seat belts are not what they're cracked up to be. I have a few years in different forms of motorsports where its obviously a good thing to have a 5 point harness on. On the street, i'm not convinced.

 

It is known and documented fact that seat belts and GFCI protected receptacles save lives. As with everything there are exceptions to the rules.

In the end it is up to the individual to assess the risk and make the final decision. I am only here to point out the risk ...

 

Yes I understand. But I can't see where the GFCI receptacle could kill you.

 

What happens if you get a power poutage, GFCI pops, and you're not home for another 10 hrs?? What does everyone use?

 

a gfi has a line and a load side, load side being where your other recepticles are connected. the nuetral wire carries the imbalanced power back to the panel and grounds out. if you were to catch that nuetral wire with a big load and your grounded you cud do internal damage as well as lose your hand or worse..

and as an electrician i kno that its not necessary to multiple gfis unless there all different circuits and you wouldnt have a problem with it tripping unless u overload your circuit.. we only put up to 5 outlets on the load of a gfi at work and there are never problems

 

make sure you read the instructions when installing or get a professional. I am fortunate to have my 180 on two seperate breakers and have a GFCI on both of them. when I did the tank room, I was able to locate the GFCI on a different outlet upstream so that I can easily reach it due to my stand design. all tested and work perfectly.

 

This, as I have seen it, is the absolute #1 drawback to using a GFCI.
I have had a few scary days where I come home from work to a SILENT apartment. These are days where the power tripped or went out and because no one was around - the power to the tanks was also off for several hours. Good thing for light bioloads!!!



All about calculated risks.

 

For those that do not know, electricity causes muscles to contract. If you grab a live wire, your muscles contract causing you to hold tighter...... you can't let go. You can and will be electrocuted. Always a good idea to first test with the back of your hand, muscle contraction will cause you to pull your hand away.

Safety first!

If you don't know what you are doing don't play with electricity.

 

For about $4-10 you can get a pen that will sense a live circuit. I use this everytime I work with electricity. makes a 100% positive the circuit is dead. screw touching the darn thing