How much amperage is your tank drawing?

[e46er]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

im guessing the trend is less power consumption with the masses using LEDs and with the influx of energy efficient powerheads and DCpumps...

is it still recommended to have 2 dedicated circuits for a system? I want to prepare for my upcoming 300g display.

i would run min 2 just to be safe. have a heater and a powerhead plugged into each circuit so if something trips one you still have a backup plan.
for a system that big 2x20amp or 3x15 amp isnt a bad idea
you dont want to run circuits near full load anyways and at worst case senario a tank that big will need over 15 amps you will probably need 1200 watts of heaters which is 10 amps for alone if the power goes out and it drops when it comes back on all your heaters will run.
the 2nd and 3rd circuits would give you the ability to run 3 MH or 10-16 T5 bulbs if you decide LED isnt for you, and still have powerheads and return pumps and skimmers on all 1/2 load circuits.
breakers and wire are cheep, no point to skimp

return pump 150-200 watts
heaters 1200 watts
powerheads 100-200 watts
LED lights 500 watts MH 750-1200 T5 400-800
skimmer 75 watts
with those rough numbers with LED not even running full your MAX with a single 20Amp circuit its not smart putting all your eggs in 1 basket.
spend the $$ and run atleast 2.
I ran 2-15 amp for my 250 but its in my shop so ill ALWAYS be able to add another circuit if i needed it

[Tom R]

I use a Blue Planet Energy Meter purchased from Canadian Tire for about $20.00 to monitor the electrical load placed on a circuit and estimate the monthly cost incurred by an electrical item.

I originally bought it to monitor the electrical draw of my MH lights on a circuit as I was always concerned about over loading the circuit. We have all seen the the back of peoples tanks with 8 or 10 items plugged into a single wall circuit.

These thinks are really handy for the price.

Tom R