Electrical advice wanted for two setups.

[Eupterus]

I was reading about power strips for aquariums and one thing lead to another. I now think my setups I've been running for years might be a fire hazard. Would like the advice of someone who knows electrical issues if there is someone.

I read you need a power strip for an aquarium that is:
- "GFCI" type.
- Not labeled as temp use, rated for constant use.
-The more expensive type, cheap ones overheat and lead to fires under constant use.
- Should not be plugged into a two prong outlet which negates safety.

OK...My 150 and 55 setups are both running on different outlets.
The 55 has no outlet near it so it's running off an extension cord, which takes away it's three prong protection with a special adapter.
Both power strips are regular and I looked at the one the 55 is hooked up to and it says something like temp use. I never knew some were made for temp use.

The 150 is running three heaters, two filters ( was running three,one got noisy and I decided t stop running it) and the lights are plugged in, but I hardly ever them.
The 55 is running with three filters and one heater ( though I might upgrade to two smaller heaters later on)..The light is so corroded I never use it anymore fearing it might be a fire hazard.

The outlet I've been using is above the 150, so there's no issues with drip loops. I do not know if it's the special safety kind of outlet or not. I know when I get my own home, I'll install special safety outlets by all my tanks.

I would like to get a new power strip and put both tanks on the same outlet by getting a power strip with a longer cord so I can stop using the extension cord for the 55.
If I don't use the extension cord, it would mean the power strip for the 55 would be barely reaching and perched up on top of the lid of the 150...With risk of falling in.. .The cord is too short to put it anywhere else and that's the lid used to feed the syno cats.

OH and it did fall into the 150 in the past, luckily it was off...I was so freaked out, I moved it to another outlet. Originally it was on a heavy duty extension cord which did not use the adapter...but I guess somewhere along the lines someone swapped out the cords. And I didn't pay that much attention to that.

 

[chesterthehero]

gfi outlets are simple to install... your local homedepot/lowes will sell them.. theres a good chance whoever is working in the electrical section will be able to tell you how to correctly install it... if not.. theres google.. its pretty easy.. just remember to turn off the breaker before you start...

as for powerstrips... the cheap ones do work.. ive never had one that gets hot or anything.. however dont let me talk you out of getting the better ones.. the cheap ones only need to burst into flames once...

gfi powerstrips do exist.. office supply stores (best buy, staples, ect) sell them.. should run you $25-$150 depending on how many outlets, cord length, "other stuff"

as for extension cords... im not a big fan of using them in the house... but if you do just get one with a ground (three prong)..

if your outlets do not have a ground wire... you may want to either install one yourself or pay someone to do it for you..


disclaimer: i dont know your local laws/codes so whatever you do just be sure to follow them.. now you cant sue me if your house burns down

 

[JakeH]

I was reading about power strips for aquariums and one thing lead to another. I now think my setups I've been running for years might be a fire hazard. Would like the advice of someone who knows electrical issues if there is someone.

I read you need a power strip for an aquarium that is:
- "GFCI" type.
- Not labeled as temp use, rated for constant use.
-The more expensive type, cheap ones overheat and lead to fires under constant use.
- Should not be plugged into a two prong outlet which negates safety. ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Nothing pulling over 30 or 50 watts should be plugged in without a ground.

OK...My 150 and 55 setups are both running on different outlets.
The 55 has no outlet near it so it's running off an extension cord, which takes away it's three prong protection with a special adapter. This adapter probably has a little ring on the bottom, huh? That's a ground adapter for audio equipment to be run on a common ground (avoids 60Hz hum), NOT a ground LIFT. Ground lifts should never be used on power cables. Absolutely a fire hazard. Fix with a high quality 12 or 14 gauge 3-PRONG ext. cord ASAP.
Both power strips are regular and I looked at the one the 55 is hooked up to and it says something like temp use. I never knew some were made for temp use. Better safe than sorry. Get a better one.

The 150 is running three heaters, two filters ( was running three,one got noisy and I decided t stop running it) and the lights are plugged in, but I hardly ever them.
The 55 is running with three filters and one heater ( though I might upgrade to two smaller heaters later on)..The light is so corroded I never use it anymore fearing it might be a fire hazard.

The outlet I've been using is above the 150, so there's no issues with drip loops. I do not know if it's the special safety kind of outlet or not. I know when I get my own home, I'll install special safety outlets by all my tanks.

I would like to get a new power strip and put both tanks on the same outlet by getting a power strip with a longer cord so I can stop using the extension cord for the 55. Get a better cord (they come in black), then run the 2nd tank off an outlet on a different wall. It will usually be a different circuit. One circuit may not be big enough for 2 tanks of that size & it will cut down on the risk of pulling all that power thru one wall outlet.
If I don't use the extension cord, it would mean the power strip for the 55 would be barely reaching and perched up on top of the lid of the 150...With risk of falling in.. .The cord is too short to put it anywhere else and that's the lid used to feed the syno cats. Yeah. Dont do that. Ever. Again, use a high quality ext cord if it wont reach.

OH and it did fall into the 150 in the past, luckily it was off...I was so freaked out, I moved it to another outlet. Originally it was on a heavy duty extension cord which did not use the adapter...but I guess somewhere along the lines someone swapped out the cords. And I didn't pay that much attention to that.

SAFETY FIRST PEOPLE! THIS IS YOUR HOME YOU'RE DEALING WITH! I promise...if you burn down the house, your wife/GF/mother will no longer support your habit. Just because it has worked in the past, does not mean it will continue to work forever, especially when water is involved. Everything has a breaking point, so do it right. Use caution & quality components.

 

[tcarswell]

OMG so many hazards!

Please do yourself a favor and get some high quality power strips and GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupt) duplex receptacles

Very easy to install (If you need help feel free to PM me) . Also see if you can run each tank off of a different circuit or at least a different outlet.

And lord have mercy please do not put the power strip on the lid of another tank.