electrical help please

[niloc16]

i have a 265gallon setup running now without lighting. i have a barracuda and dart pump, 2 250w heaters 2 vortech pumps, skimmer and i'm going to install 3 400w mh and approx 8 54w t5's. my question is will a 15amp circuit maintain this system without tripping. the only other thing connected to this will be a tv once everything is going. i currently have a 55 gallon setup and a 10gallon setup running on the same circuit as the 265 and have plugged a vaccuum into the same circuit without tripping the breaker, my concern is once the lighting is on that all hell is going to break loose. and once i have the lighting on, the 55 gallon and 10 gallon will be shut down. input from someone with experience or electrical background would be awesome. i know that ideally a dedicated circuit is better but it will be a large job to run a new circuit.

[Tarolisol]

I have two 15amp circuits and am worried i need more i have a similier setup to you as well it seems.

[jws444]

Your halides alone will require about 11 amps.

[support@proline]

Colin ,you do need more than 15 Amps
You will have
Halide 3x 400w=1200w
T5 8x 54w =432 w
heaters 2x250w=500w
dart 100w (depends to headpressure ,...
Barracude 300w(depends to,.......

That adds up to 2532 w ,which is almost 23 amps ,also keep in mind breakers are designed to shut of @ 80% of the maximum to protect your circuit ,so if you put all that on a breaker & didn't trip there is something wrong with the breaker

You definately need to put the whole Load on 3 15 amp breakers ,to be safe
keep in mind I didn't even add up the skimmer 7 extra nick ,nacks:mrgreen:
they do add up.
when it comes to electricity always better safe & sorry
There is many different ways to remedy your situation ,where is the Tank located ,do you have plugs on different breakers around.
Ultimately you can always hire an electrition to wire a small subpannel with multiple sockets enough for your needs ,given the fact you are investing tens of thousands of dollars on that tank ,that would be a cheap insurance &
piece of mind for you
Just JMHO
Regards
Jason

[support@proline]

Oh I forgot ,You probably going to need a chiller too & the other thing that we all forget about is the initial start up surge of many items like MH & Chillers

[niloc16]

thanks guys. those are good points jason. i'm going to have to figure something out then. i knew i needed to but i had a glimmer of hope that i could get away with it. great, more work. thanks again though guys

[mark]

Keep in mind also you never run a cct at full rating but guideline is 80%.

[niloc16]

whats a cct?

[mark]

whats a cct?
sorry, circuit.

[niloc16]

i was doing some searching and in the unfinished area of the basement which is below my tank i found a 14/3 wire spooled up in the ceiling that i believe is wired to 2/15a breakers ganged together at the breaker panel. the breakers are not labeled. i think it was placed there in case i wanted to finish the basement there was some power installed. i'm double checking on how to install the outlet, can i hook up a 14/3 wire to a standard 15a outlet? do i need to break the tab off that connects the 2 outlets to make 2 circuits? does the eletrical box that houses the outlet have to be nailed to a stud or can it be attached to just drywall?

[mark]

Good find, you're more than 1/2 way there.

Consider installing a double gang box (cover shown)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/Ncp106-2.jpg

and splitting cable between recepticles. Use GFIs.

Boxes need to be secured.

If just placing one outlet, yes need to break the tab off the hot if using both legs.

[niloc16]

great, thanks again mark. you've been a ton of help. i never thought of going with a double gang box