eletrical help!

[reefNchips]

I am building an 180 gal tank in-wall setup and I would like to know what I should have the electrician install for correct operation. My house has the old style circuits that screw into the panel. How many outlets should I have him install and how many amps shoulds each be rated for?

1 mag drive 18 return
1 tunze powerhead (6000 i believe, the first one that has speed cntl
3 Hydor Koralia powerheads
1 mag 12 for skimmer
3 ballast 250 watt mh de
1 for night lights
1 for t-5's
1 heater
1 small pump for phophate reactor


I think that is it. Add extra for later additions such as co2 or kalk reactors.

Thanks all and this is my first thread!!!!!

[kingnai]

I work for the power company... and really don't know squat about inside wiring... but I would say make sure to install GFI outlets and always add more than you think you will need...

I run 6 outlets off a 20 amp breaker.... and it is wired directly with 12/2

If you install the GFI first and then the other outlets piggyback off of that you only need to buy one GFI... and that will trip if anything behinds it faults.


Just my 2 cents...
-Ian

[reefNchips]

your 2 cents is a great start

[MTB]

My tank(55g) runs off a 20 amp breaker as well. 120v. King nailed it on the GFCIs. I would have the electrician install at least 15 outlets run on 3 separate 20 amp breakers/fuses/circuits. Don't forget the GFCIs.(can't stress that enough;))

[reefNchips]

I am going to use the dj board method so three seperate outlets on 20 amp circuits. Thanks guys. Any other input still will be appretiated!

[wooden_reefer]

Why do you need 20 amp circuit?

I think one should run the light on a separate circuit.

So one 15 amp curcuit is good for 1,800 W on paper, at least half that even with safety margin of 50%, 900 W.

Another 15 amp circuit for all the rest

[reefNchips]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10409068#post10409068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wooden_reefer
Why do you need 20 amp circuit?

I think one should run the light on a separate circuit.

So one 15 amp curcuit is good for 1,800 W on paper, at least half that even with safety margin of 50%, 900 W.

Another 15 amp circuit for all the rest

So all i need is 2 15 amp circuits?

[Orient Master]

I would stick to the 20 amp circuits just for a better cushion.

You are going to want to add other thing right???

well then i would make sure that there is enough amperage there to handle all the things you want to run comfortably, and not stress the load limit on the wireing or the circuit breaker.

Just because it says 20 amps doesn't mean you can continuesly run right at 20 amps. you'll burn out the breaker that way.


For example : just because your car can run at 7000 or 9000 RPMs doesn't mean you can drive it like that all the time. you normaly drive it at 3000 or 4000.

Same goes with your electical circuits runn them at the lower capacity for more a continuse setup.

[Rouselb]

You want to break things up, so lights on 1 breaker, skimmer and return on breaker #2, powerheads on breaker #3. You dont want your return pump and powerheads all going out at once if a breaker blows...that would be very bad! You dont need 20 or 30A breakers. You can go with the 15's, just make sure you run 4 or 5. If you dont have room for that many breakers, then you should go with a 20 and combine a few. But break em up as much as possible.

[Roy G. Biv]

The price difference to buy 20 amp parts vs 15 amp parts is like 20 bux. I think 20 amp circuits is becoming the norm in new homes in my area. I just posted this equation in another post.

The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts

Go online and read how many watts each component is. Sum them up and divide by 110. Thats the total amp draw of your tank. If you wanted 2-20 amp circuits at the tank, use 12/3 wire. 2 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground. The electrician can break it up from there.

[kingnai]

wouldn't using 12/3 gage wire which is rated for 20 amps... and dividing it by 2 20 amp breakers be overloading the wire by possibly putting 40 amps on wire that is rated for 20?