To Gfci or not to gfci.

[Mattman1977]

Well I’m setting up a new nano tank and finally decided on a location, have a outlet pretty close but the outlet is wore out, plugs just fall out, we just moved in a month ago. Either way I’ll be replacing it so just wanted you guys opinion on to use gfci outlet or just regular.

I know I read somewhere of someone tank crashing cause the gfci popped when they weren’t home and that’s about the only reason I question it.

So let’s here it guys yay or nay and why please

Happy reefing guys and gals
Matt

 

[Randyp79]

I had GFCI and while I was away one weekend in Orlando lightning tripped the outlet. I came home to 31 dead fish and 90% dead corals. I even had a battery backup on my vortec, but I'm guessing it only lasted 48 hours. I now do not run gfci and would recommend that if you do, at least do not put your return pump on it.

 

[Mattman1977]

I had GFCI and while I was away one weekend in Orlando lightning tripped the outlet. I came home to 31 dead fish and 90% dead corals. I even had a battery backup on my vortec, but I'm guessing it only lasted 48 hours. I now do not run gfci and would recommend that if you do, at least do not put your return pump on it.

And that’s what I’m afraid of right there. It’s a nano aio at this moment but will eventually set my 90 back up which I didn’t have on gfci at my old House but since i had to change the outlet anyways figured I would ask opinions and experiences.

Thanks
Matt

 

[rc1626]

I recently was away as well and had the same issue. Thankfully my tank sitter noticed there was an issue and called me. I was able to troubleshoot it back to the GFCI while on the phone. He was able to reset it and it would last a few days and pop again. Turned out not to be an equipment problem but just an old, bad GFCI outlet. Changed it out and it's been fine since. I just went away for the weekend recently and made sure my return was plugged into a non GFCI outlet while away.

Although losing most/all livestock to a problem like this is terrible it's better than losing ones life. I will always use them.

I'll let the experts chime in to hear their thoughts.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Better than getting electrocuted.

 

[Jay Z]

I would put a normal plug in. Plug your return pump into that and add a protected strip for the rest. Gfci’s are way to touchy now a days in my opinion.

Make sure you get a strip with usb’s On it also. They are a life saver for small power draw equipment with usb plugs.

 

[Mattman1977]

Yeah I think I’ll skip the gfci outlet. Thanks guys and gals I would hate to come home to a dead tank. I’ve been using surge protectors since I started this hobby guess there’s no reason to change it now.

Matt

 

[KStatefan]

It depends where you value the safety of your family and friends.

 

[Brew12]

And that’s what I’m afraid of right there. It’s a nano aio at this moment but will eventually set my 90 back up which I didn’t have on gfci at my old House but since i had to change the outlet anyways figured I would ask opinions and experiences.

Thanks
Matt

It's tougher on a nano but I would never run a system without it being on a GFCI. I would also never run a system on a single GFCI.

I put this together on how I added safety and redundancy on my current system.

DIY GFCI installation

I have a reputation for having a passion for safety, especially electrical safety. I want to share how I will be implementing GFCI on my new system. First, I made a big box store run and picked up a 2 gang, new construction style electrical box. I also picked up 2 heavy duty cords, 2 gfci...

www.reef2reef.com

At the very minimum I would have the return pump, heaters, and skimmer (sump loads) on one GFCI and the powerheads split between the two or on the second one. The goal being that a trip of one doesn't wipe the tank even if left for a day or two.

Personal safety aside, I also feel this is important for the health of my system. If you have a faulted piece of equipment in your system it is likely leaching toxic plastics and copper into your system. By using a GFCI and ground probe, a failed piece of equipment will trip the GFCI immediately and let me know I have a problem. By de-energizing it, it will also reduce the rate at which contaminants are added to the system.

For a nano, I would try to do something similar by having the filtration section pump on one GFCI and powerheads on the other.

 

[j.falk]

I always use a GFCI for safety.

 

[CindyKz]

When my ATO went crazy and overflowed all of the outlets and power strips got soaked. My GCFI popped, turning everything off. I can't even imagine how high the risk of a fire would have been, and we were on vacation so not there to see.

Incidentally, one the items plugged into the GCFI outlet that turned off was my security camera. It was the alert from the camera that let me know there was a problem, so I was able to get a friend to the house to fix things. I lost some coral but no fish.

All of my stuff is on GCFI and always will be. I love my tanks, but love my home and family more. Why risk it?

ETA: I used to split them among separate GCFI outlets, with return pump on one and powerheads on another. Now they are all on Apex.

 

[Mattman1977]

I was wondering what difference it would make if I ran a apex. Never broke down and spent the money on one. Didn’t know if they had built in protection. Would apex change anyone’s mind on gfci or not?

Ugh and this is my conundrum I definitely want my family and house safe but don’t wanna lose my tank. I would have to run a cord 15’ to the next nearest outlet. Not sure what to but definitely like the idea of 2 separate circuits and when I set up my 90 up I plan on having 2 dedicated just to the tank on there own circuit breakers with gfci. Luckily I’m in no hurry so have time to ponder this and listen to others option

Thanks
Matt

 

[CindyKz]

I was wondering what difference it would make if I ran a apex. Never broke down and spent the money on one. Didn’t know if they had built in protection. Would apex change anyone’s mind on gfci or not?

Ugh and this is my conundrum I definitely want my family and house safe but don’t wanna lose my tank. I would have to run a cord 15’ to the next nearest outlet. Not sure what to but definitely like the idea of 2 separate circuits and when I set up my 90 up I plan on having 2 dedicated just to the tank on there own circuit breakers with gfci. Luckily I’m in no hurry so have time to ponder this and listen to others option

Thanks
Matt

The energy bar is plugged into a gcfi outlet lol.

You can get power strips and such with gcfi built in. No need to run cords to get to one.

 

[Westside Guy]

My outlet is located on the wall directly behind my tank and the next nearest outlet is about 15 feet away and it would have been ugly to run a long wire like this in my living room. I really believe that I didn't have an option as GFCI = safety!.

 

[Brew12]

Not sure what to but definitely like the idea of 2 separate circuits and when I set up my 90 up I plan on having 2 dedicated just to the tank on there own circuit breakers with gfci.

If you go with my concept of making your own GFCI receptacles (linked above) you can use your single outlet to create 2 GFCI circuits. No extension cord needed. You just need a place to mount the outlets.

I was wondering what difference it would make if I ran a apex. Never broke down and spent the money on one. Didn’t know if they had built in protection. Would apex change anyone’s mind on gfci or not?

Back when I used an Apex, this is what I did.

I made my own GFCI outlets similar to my post above, but in this case I plugged them into the Apex power bar. This gave me 4 separate Apex controlled GFCI circuits. The 4 cables you see plugged into the Apex feed the 4 GFCI receptacles. Those in turn fed my 2 heaters, skimmer, and return pump. I used MP40's for flow pumps so they didn't need GFCI's.

Now I use a GHL and have too many circuits to do this same thing. Instead, I have 3 power bars each plugged into it's own GFCI receptacle. I have the loads split up so that a single trip won't crash my tank.

 

[W1ngz]

@Brew12 how do your DIY outlets compare vs something like a GFCI workshop powerstrip?

 

[Brew12]

@Brew12 how do your DIY outlets compare vs something like a GFCI workshop powerstrip?

You could do that if you would prefer, it would be easier. The main reason I use the wall outlet and make my own is that I feel these GFCI circuits are less prone to tripping from harmonics or surges. It is possible the portable ones have caught up in quality but its not something I am comfortable with yet.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

If water splashes on a normal circuit you can start a fire. It would be terrible to lose my aquarium, but I would pick that over losing my house. I always try to GFCI. You could also get a smartoutlet ($20) and if on the app you see it is no longer connected you know the circuit tripped. Very cheap and easy way to add a layer of safety while you are away.

 

[Mattman1977]

It's tougher on a nano but I would never run a system without it being on a GFCI. I would also never run a system on a single GFCI.

I put this together on how I added safety and redundancy on my current system.

DIY GFCI installation

I have a reputation for having a passion for safety, especially electrical safety. I want to share how I will be implementing GFCI on my new system. First, I made a big box store run and picked up a 2 gang, new construction style electrical box. I also picked up 2 heavy duty cords, 2 gfci...

www.reef2reef.com

At the very minimum I would have the return pump, heaters, and skimmer (sump loads) on one GFCI and the powerheads split between the two or on the second one. The goal being that a trip of one doesn't wipe the tank even if left for a day or two.

Personal safety aside, I also feel this is important for the health of my system. If you have a faulted piece of equipment in your system it is likely leaching toxic plastics and copper into your system. By using a GFCI and ground probe, a failed piece of equipment will trip the GFCI immediately and let me know I have a problem. By de-energizing it, it will also reduce the rate at which contaminants are added to the system.

For a nano, I would try to do something similar by having the filtration section pump on one GFCI and powerheads on the other.

I read your linked thread after my last post. I really like this idea and think this is the solution to my issue. The outlet that will be used will be accessible from under the tank so I’ll replace it with a normal outlet but I’m gonna go one further since the tank will be directly above it and add a splash proof cover to it then wire up 2 of your gfci plugs and mount them under my tank. This I feel is a great compromise of safety and function. I see a trip to the hardware store today after work.

Thanks
Matt