What size circuit are you guys running?

[WVNed]

I need to put in another one. But then again I am running 1700 watts of lights, 900 watts of heaters, 6-8 pumps plus wavemakers and a few miscellaneous things.

 

[tuesdayd]

This is timely. We just went to Home Depot last night to get two 20 amp breakers with all the fixin's for the 220 gallon tank we're setting up soon. As someone else already mentioned, heat and lights on a big tank will overload a 15 amp circuit pretty quick.

 

[siggy]

I need to put in another one. But then again I am running 1700 watts of lights, 900 watts of heaters, 6-8 pumps plus wavemakers and a few miscellaneous things.

You need a sub-station or a wind mill.

 

[WVNed]

You need a sub-station or a wind mill.

I have a treadmill generator for the dogs. Each one does 15 miles a day.

 

[WVNed]

I wondered where that went

 

[DaneGer21]

2 x 15amp circuits that I wired with 12ga just in case. Although one circuit only pulls about 5amps max and the other only about 3amps max.

So I’ll never need 20amp breakers.

 

[dieselkeeper]

I did a 20 amp circuit when I up graded. The difference in price isn't that much between a 15 to a 20 amp circuit. The breaker isn't much more. I can't imagine there is a huge difference in price between 12 gauge(20 amp) wire and 14 gauge (15amp) wire. Take closer look at the thickness in the wires.

 

[DaneGer21]

I did a 20 amp circuit when I up graded. The difference in price isn't that much between a 15 to a 20 amp circuit. The breaker isn't much more. I can't imagine there is a huge difference in price between 12 gauge(20 amp) wire and 14 gauge (15amp) wire.

Price wise, no not really. Since I personally run a lower wattage/amperage system, I opted for smaller breakers in hopes of during a disaster or emergency the lower pull might save someone/something without allowing as much to be discharged. I don’t need the extra amperage so I would rather limit it.

 

[TheOne]

I ran a 20a for my 100g,plus I have the existing 20a if I need more ...Rule of thumb 15A is for lighting and 20A is for convenience outlets

My dad was an electrician for 40 years and he told me the extra 15amp was all I needed. So I have two dedicated 15 amp circuits to run my 160. Also my tank has been running with 8 90 watt lights for over a year with no problem.

Now, if I was still running multiple 1000 watt Metal Halides then I would have went 20 amp no question.

Also I ran the extra outlet and wiring to my breaker and wired it up myself with no electrical knowledge whatsoever in a couple of hours. And no one in their right mind wouldn't install gfci around water.

I have at least 30 devices hooked up to my tank and I'm only pulling 4 amps at most on each circuit.



So basically you can spend twice as much on the wiring and breaker if you want but I guarantee you unless you are in the top 1% of tank owners on this site you are not pulling anywhere close to 15 amps running your tank. I would say 99% aren't even anywhere close to pulling 10 amps.

 

[puffster]

I ran a 20 amp dedicated line with a GFI circuit breaker, no problems and has saved a fish or two...

 

[TheOne]

Ok, so I just double checked. I ran a seperate 20 amp circuit. ;Facepalm Now I'm going off to hide in my corner.

 

[siggy]

My dad was an electrician for 40 years and he told me the extra 15amp was all I needed. So I have two dedicated 15 amp circuits to run my 160. Also my tank has been running with 8 90 watt lights for over a year with no problem.

Now, if I was still running multiple 1000 watt Metal Halides then I would have went 20 amp no question.

Also I ran the extra outlet and wiring to my breaker and wired it up myself with no electrical knowledge whatsoever in a couple of hours. And no one in their right mind wouldn't install gfci around water.

I have at least 30 devices hooked up to my tank and I'm only pulling 4 amps at most on each circuit.



So basically you can spend twice as much on the wiring and breaker if you want but I guarantee you unless you are in the top 1% of tank owners on this site you are not pulling anywhere close to 15 amps running your tank. I would say 99% aren't even pulling 8 amps.

Your dad is right, I am a 35-year electrician, 30 amps is plenty for 95%. Just stating the rule of thumb.
Here is another rule,
Increase conductor size 25% for continuous loads. Continuous loads = Greater than 3 hours run time

the breaker and wire is not the hazard its the connections or the devices making the connections.

 

[stanleo]

30 amp. It's over kill on a 120 gallon but I wanted room to expand when I do a fish room with QT and frag tanks.

 

[Oliver d]

In my case where I live a 25 amp circuit wired int the house board and a 25 amp circuit wired through my generator.Both circuits are GFI projected.

 

[Matt Carden]

Two separate 15 amps. I overbuilt redundancy into my system though and so far it has saved me more than once.

+1

 

[dieselkeeper]

So basically you can spend twice as much on the wiring and breaker if you want but I guarantee you unless you are in the top 1% of tank owners on this site you are not pulling anywhere close to 15 amps running your tank. I would say 99% aren't even anywhere close to pulling 10 amps.

I run 9.5 Amps with only two 300 watt heaters and 8x80 T5 light. That don't include return pump, skimmer pump, and two ehiem 1048 pumps for the calcium reactor. Three 6105 tunze powerheads. 210 gal tank

 

[TheOne]

I run 9.5 Amps with only two 300 watt heaters and 8x80 T5 light. That don't include return pump, skimmer pump, and two ehiem 1048 pumps for the calcium reactor. Three 6105 tunze powerheads. 210 gal tank

My point is if you are going to trip a 15 amp circuit then a 20 amp isn't going to do you much good either. Plus you might just consider having the electric company install a substation in your backyard.

But yes, After checking I have two dedicated 20 amp circuits running to my tank.