One Outlet?

[Patriot76]

I was thinking of running a second power line to my fish tank room. it dawned on me today that i sure do have a lot of stuff plugged into this one box (2 outlets per box). Although there are no other outlets piggy-backed off this one, i still think its a lot of equipment. then i started thinking, well most people dont have a fish tank room and probably have all there stuff plugged into on box (2 outlets). so, i just wanted to see what you guys think!

 

[billyr98]

well it can't hurt to run a second circuit to the fish room, i have 3 downstairs and 2 circuit upstairs..
I also think a lot of people run a DC8 (from aquacontroller) so they are plugging in 8 things into a circuit. If you can add the wattage or amperage up, you can figure out if you really need another circuit. Also depends if you wire is 14 or 12 gauge and your breaker is 15 or 20 amp..

 

[magic]

What is the circuit rated for (15 amps) and what else is on it? If you install another box on the same circuit all you are gaining is a couple outlets, still working against the same 15 amp limit. As long as the power strip is rated for your total load there shouldn't be a issue.

Bob

 

[Patriot76]

there is nothing else on this circtuit besides the fishtank. the wires run directly from the the breaker panel to the outlet (no other outlets). it is a 15amp breaker. i would have to check each piece of equipment to tell you the watt/amp draw, and I do not have time today

 

[chaoscat]

This data came from an old Aquarist's Online article, where the author was studying power useage/operating costs of his 120 gallon reef tank w/ 30 gal sump. Here's a link if you want to read. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/3/short

EQUIPMENT AMPS
Halide 1 (400W) 3.4 amps
Halide 2 (400) 4 amps
2 VHO with fans (100W ea) 2.4 amps
Auxiliary equipment 4.7 amps
(1 300W heater, 4 power heads,
4 pumps, 1 wavemaster
TOTAL 14.5 amps

As you can see, a well equiped reef tank would push a 15 amp breaker to the limit. The author of the article had all this spread over 2 breakers.

 

[Patriot76]

yeah i am going to run another line, i mean how hard can it be, righ?

 

[chaoscat]

i mean how hard can it be, righ?

Famous last words ;D

 

[magic]

Do you have amperage in your circuit box for another circuit. You have to total up all the breaker values (amps)to see if you can add another. What is your total service to the house?

Bob