New tank electrical question....

[Jc1119]

So I'm adding up all of the electrical components for my new setup ( pumps,lights,heaters, etc.) and with everything running I'm going to be in the neighborhood of 9-10 amps, but......

Its on a 15 amp circuit that is shared by my entire living room and my back porch. Porch is no biggie but my living room has a plasma, stereo and 1000watt sub.

I know nothing about electrical systems so I guess I'm asking just how hard is it to take the two outlets behind the tank location and put them on their own separate 15amp circuit?. I've got 4 open spaces in the box in the garage so it seems like it would be fairly easy to add another circuit, but like I said, I know nothing about electrical circuits. If this isn't an option what would be? I know I can't change the breaker to a 20amp because the wiring isn't rated for it. Help
Thanks!!

 

[scottt]

you should add another circuit.

 

[leather]

Definitely add another circuit. Don't upsize your breaker, you don't know what other size wiring is on it. For my large tanks I install a dedicated 20 amp breaker per tank. This is usually enough for my needs because I don't run heavy lighting. If you don't know electrical have an electrician run a dedicated line to your tank location and install a properly sized breaker for it. If this is a permanent setup you can do like I do and install two switches and then run each to it's own receptacles. Then I plug lights in one and pumps/filters/heaters into the other. One flick and all my lights go out, another flick everything gets turned off for servicing/water change.

 

[Jc1119]

Is it something I could do or should I just call an electrician? I was probably going to have one of the outlets moved a few feet so it sits behind the stand so I guess I should just have it all done at once.

Probably a little over my head to do myself.... Don't want to risk burning the house down to save a few bucks

 

[scottt]

Hard question to answer without seeing your situation could be very simple or maybe not.

 

[leather]

Ya, just have a an electrician do it.

 

[Jc1119]

Definitely add another circuit. Don't upsize your breaker, you don't know what other size wiring is on it. For my large tanks I install a dedicated 20 amp breaker per tank. This is usually enough for my needs because I don't run heavy lighting. If you don't know electrical have an electrician run a dedicated line to your tank location and install a properly sized breaker for it. If this is a permanent setup you can do like I do and install two switches and then run each to it's own receptacles. Then I plug lights in one and pumps/filters/heaters into the other. One flick and all my lights go out, another flick everything gets turned off for servicing/water change.

Yeah sounds like the best plan. And I guess it makes sense to do a 20 amp while I'm at it. Or would it be better to run a 15 amp per outlet since the wiring is already run? Might be easier

 

[pocel]

It really just depends on how much wire you have to run. can you do through an attic then down the wall..I really dont know how "handy" you are. You basically need 12/2 w/g wire however long. Another 15amp breaker. A GFCI outlet. and a clamp that holds the wire where it hooks into your panel..

warning If you dont know anything about electricity Read the books learn it this stuff can kill yah

 

[bbortko]

If you have conduit it will be easy, simply tie some 12awg to the existing 14awg and use the 14awg to pull in the new 12 awg wire, trim the new 20amp receptacles and breaker. If you have romex it is gonna suck, especially if you have to fish an insulated wall since you don't have a raceway for pulling and protecting the wire. Technically it is very simple and you can figure it out with minimal research but it will be aggravating. Also since romex is a fire hazard make sure the receptacles are arc fault protected.

 

[Jc1119]

If you have conduit it will be easy, simply tie some 12awg to the existing 14awg and use the 14awg to pull in the new 12 awg wire, trim the new 20amp receptacles and breaker. If you have romex it is gonna suck, especially if you have to fish an insulated wall since you don't have a raceway for pulling and protecting the wire. Technically it is very simple and you can figure it out with minimal research but it will be aggravating. Also since romex is a fire hazard make sure the receptacles are arc fault protected.

Gonna call an electrician. But let me ask you this. If the wiring for the existing circuit is 14awg since it's 15v, couldn't I just add 2 15v breakers(one per outlet). I know it's a little overkill but seems like it would easier than having to fish new wiring in and out of walls. This tank is going to literally sit in the middle of my house downstairs. Attic access won't be possible