How many things can you safely plus into one outlet?

[hllb]

I only have a single usable outlet near my tank and currently have a surge protector with 6 slots (lights, heater, cooling fan, return pump, power head, and skimmer as current occupants). How safe is it to get a larger surge protector and add more things? How does everyone manage this in their tanks?

 

[dakoop]

Depends on how many amps you are drawing. Your best bet is to have a pro install GFCI outlets

 

[hllb]

Depends on how many amps you are drawing. Your best bet is to have a pro install GFCI outlets

GFCI outlets wouldn't really change the capacity though would it? Definitely a safety feature we should install though and I've been meaning to.

 

[ca1ore]

You just have to add up the total wattage to make sure that you are within the safety margin of the circuit rating. It's about 1,900 watts for a typical 20 amp circuit (look it up for a more precise number).

 

[hllb]

You just have to add up the total wattage to make sure that you are within the safety margin of the circuit rating.

So you mean I actually need to figure out the breaker it's on? LOL...we really should have labeled those better

Seriously though, don't they usually daisy chain outlets? Would that mean I'd ideally need to track all the outlets that are interconnected?

 

[ca1ore]

The 'proper' way to do it would be to figure out which breaker your tank will be on and then what other devices are on that same circuit. 1,900 watts is a lot, so you can also add up your aquarium devices, and if you are nowhere close probably assume that you are OK. I would personally want to map the circuit though. On my tank, all the circuits are 'home runs' which means no other daisy chained outlets.

 

[hllb]

Looks like I’m under 400 watts and not all my equipment is running at once so even less. So, I should be safe to get an 8 or 10 slot surge protector.

any recommendation for a good, quality surge protector? I know so many of them are junk.

 

[hllb]

Is this a good one?

 

[Reefing Madness]

I wouldn't run anything over 1,500watts safely, just me though. And don't daisy chain surge protectors together.
Yea, that one will work.

 

[hllb]

I wouldn't run anything over 1,500watts safely, just me though. And don't daisy chain surge protectors together.
Yea, that one will work.

Oh yes, daisy chaining surge protectors is horrifying!

 

[Dragon174]

That is the exact power strip that I run on my 120g.

 

[Beau_B]

Circuit breakers are only able to carry 80% for continuous usage. So a 15A (most common in living spaces) is really 12A.

 

[hllb]

This is all very helpful info. Now I just need to have my husband install a GFCI there.

My fan isn't cutting for cooling these days so I may need to add a chiller. Good to know I have plenty of room to do so safely.

 

[ca1ore]

Circuit breakers are only able to carry 80% for continuous usage. So a 15A (most common in living spaces) is really 12A.

That's a good point. Most of my house is wired with 12 gauge wire and uses 20 amp circuits, but many others may use 14 gauge wire and 15 amp circuits. Important to know which LOL.

 

[BiggestE222]

I have wondered this. I am on a 15 amp circuit. All pumps are DC(except skimmer pump). All lights are LED. I have pax bellum N18. Ecotech XR30 Pumps are BM Curve 7. 2 MP40 power heads. 2 Hydor Seltz DC circulation pumps. A heater with a separate thermostat. A Milwaukee PH with controller. A doser. All on that one outlet

 

[BiggestE222]

Oh yes, daisy chaining surge protectors is horrifying!

Yeah triplite expressly says not do that.

 

[BiggestE222]

Forgot the Ecotech battery backup. lol

 

[Cell]

I feel like there must be a ballpark gallonage that we can assume is and always will be safe. For instance, can a nano tank come even close to the limit even if it's super high tech?

 

[olonmv]

15a or less on a 15a 120v receptacle and 20a on a 20a 120v receptacle. Or to make it easier. Add up all your wattage and keep it at or below
2400w on a 20a receptacle.
1800w on a 15a receptacle.

 

[olonmv]

Circuit breakers are only able to carry 80% for continuous usage. So a 15A (most common in living spaces) is really 12A.

This rule doesn’t apply to outlets. Outlets and switch’s have a max amp rating That can be matched but not surpassed.