Protein Skimmer overload

[MNichter1]

Would love suggestions. My tank runs perfect until I plug protein skimmer in, it always triggers fuse box switch off. I tried splitting where things are plugged in. Any recommendations to fix?

 

[Sean Clark]

Would love suggestions. My tank runs perfect until I plug protein skimmer in, it always triggers fuse box switch off. I tried splitting where things are plugged in. Any recommendations to fix?

If possible, you should put the tank on a dedicated circuit. Often a lot of plugs in a certain area are all on the same circuit. The other issue could be a faulty skimmer pump; especially if the circuit trips right away when you plug it in.

 

[blaxsun]

Try another plug/circuit somewhere else in your house to see if it also trips it.

 

[G Santana]

I agree with running a dedicated line, that's what I did, you will know based on your equipment what the load is.

 

[MNichter1]

If possible, you should put the tank on a dedicated circuit. Often a lot of plugs in a certain area are all on the same circuit. The other issue could be a faulty skimmer pump; especially if the circuit trips right away when you plug it in.

I tried plugging it in another outlet, and it runs for 30 minutes then trips the fuse again. The tank is unfortunately in an apartment so not a ton of options for moving it around or having dedicated circuits.

 

[stevolough]

I tried plugging it in another outlet, and it runs for 30 minutes then trips the fuse again. The tank is unfortunately in an apartment so not a ton of options for moving it around or having dedicated circuits.

Same fuse or a different one?

 

[Jekyl]

I'd lean toward an issue with the skimmer itself. If it were lights or the heater, I would say it needed a larger breaker.

 

[stevolough]

Different outlet doesn’t mean separate fuse. If it’s the same fuse it’s either a defective pump or just overloaded circuit from to many amps. If it’s tripping a breaker and not blowing a fuse it’s possible you have a weak breaker. You would need an electrician to check that for you.

 

[MNichter1]

Thank you for all the responses, I brought it back to store to swap it, and works perfect now.