Breaker, Breaker pig pen

scotchy · #1 07-01-2005, 11:07 PM

Hey everybody. I want top run a dedicated circuit for my tank and was wondering what size breaker I should go with. There will be 2 pumps (a mag 9.5 and equivalent) 2 powerheads (penguin 660) 2 heaters (total 350 watts) 250 watt MH (electronic ballast) vho actinics (probably wh7 ballast) and sea clown skimmer (will upgrade that soon probably super skimmer). Is a 15 amp breaker gonna do the trick? I have most of this stuff running right now on a 15 amp circuit in my living room except for the halides.

Scott

Nemo · #2 07-02-2005, 12:38 AM

Legally you can not run an outlet on anything but a 15 Amp breaker, if you read what is on the plug they are only rated for 15A

If I were you and this is what I did, I pulled in 2 15A circuits and had them on GFIC's. Use one set for the pumps and skimmer and the second set for the lights and power heads

JMO

Robert

Invigor · #3 07-02-2005, 12:55 AM

why would it be illegal to run anything BUT 15 amp breakers?

we have a few 20amper

Nemo · #4 07-02-2005, 01:15 AM

Like I said read the plug end it will have the specs right on the back, they are rated for 15A if you put a 20A breaker on the line you have 2 problems

1. you have the potential to pull 20A through a plug rated at 15A and over time this can pose a fire hazard.

2. the wire in houses is 14 gauge which is rated for 15A. Put 20 Amps through that and you are over heating the wire and once again a fire hazard.

Have you ever plugged in a vacume and had the breaker trip because something else was running. put a 20A breaker and you would probable stop that but will cause everything to overheat and eventualy something has to give over time

Robert

BMW Rider · #5 07-02-2005, 01:40 AM

Yes you can use a 20A breaker for a plug, you just have to use an outlet that is also rated for 20A. I have several 20A outlets in my garage workshop and I have a 20A circuit powering multiple outlets for my reef tank. You need to use 12 ga wire for a 20A plug not the 14 ga that is used for a 15A, so you will not be able to just upgrade an existing circuit by swapping the plug and breaker. If you are planning to run a new circuit, then 20A is the way to go.

Invigor · #6 07-02-2005, 01:58 AM

ah, so it's not illegal, it just needs to be done correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotchy

250 watt MH (electronic ballast) vho actinics (probably wh7 ballast)
Scott

boo! hope it's not an icecap electronic MH ballast and VHO's are old technology! talk to Jayson and get yourself some T5 actinics, you'll be glad you did!

Nemo · #7 07-02-2005, 07:10 AM

There is no plug that a standard house hol appliance will plug into that is rated for 20 A that I am aware of. I think you may want to take a look at the ratings.

scotchy · #8 07-02-2005, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invigor

hope it's not an icecap electronic MH ballast and VHO's are old technology!

No it's not icecap, I believe it's a coralvue, one of those setups he had on sale a while ago. As for the T5's what type of ballast does one need to run them? I only want the actinics for morning-evening, cause I have a 14k bulb, but with the tank being 24" tall I figured normal output wouldn't be bright enough.

Scott

SuperFudge · #9 07-02-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

boo! hope it's not an icecap electronic MH ballast and VHO's are old technology! talk to Jayson and get yourself some T5 actinics, you'll be glad you did!

Whats Wrong with Icecap E Ballasts ?

BMW Rider · #10 07-02-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo

There is no plug that a standard house hol appliance will plug into that is rated for 20 A that I am aware of. I think you may want to take a look at the ratings.

The 20A plugs come in several configurations including the standard duplex style. They are more expensive than the 15A rated plugs, probably because they are better built and less commonly used. You can even get a GFCI in 20A. All the ones I am using are normal looking plugs.

Here are just a few examples.