Do you use GFCI?

[Scooterman]

Nope not being thick headed Steve, I agree with this article but I also know that you can have a GP & still not have problems with fish or corals, people use them, they sell these quiet often. From my electrical experience I think this article makes good sense but I also think you can argue it some, it leaves room for farther testing, I never went out and tested exactly the way they did but in theory the possibilities are huge, show me any engineer that knows everything about electricity & I'll show you a worldly genius. Personally the GP mask the affects of a problem, that there is enough for me not to use one, I rather prevent or remove the problem ASAP. I think in certain cases it can save you life, so I don't argue using a GP, it is a double edged sword if you ask me.

Now GFCI & AFCI yes I strongly agree on the use of these, even so your not guaranteed protection from being shocked or equipment causing a fire, these just increase your chances in your favor.

 

[steve-s]

Now GFCI & AFCI yes I strongly agree on the use of these, even so your not guaranteed protection from being shocked or equipment causing a fire, these just increase your chances in your favor.

Definately agree there. Personally I prefer not to use the GP though, not totally sold on it's benefit vs it's potential hazard.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Detri]

I would like to hear from those that voted No to the poll. Be intresting to hear there reasons.

 

[Pauls]

I use GFI on my powerhead and skimmer circuit only. My lights are not on GFI. The GFI circuit would trip every time when my timers came on. I guess they don't like heavy duty appliance timers! Anyway it was the timers because i use a different timer on my powerheads and they don't trip the GFI. GFI's IMO are great safety devices, especially anyware water is present.

 

[Detri]

Did you try useing a GFCI between your Lights and Ballast or between the Outlet and Ballast? I'm asking because I want to try everything before I decide not to use one for the MH lights. The lights shouldn't have as much surge in power from the Ballast as the Bllast has from the outlet/curciut

 

[Scooterman]

Pauls what name brand lights do you have?

 

[CarlaW]

I have 8 dedicated 20 amp circuits goin to my 300, all are GFCI, wouldn't live without them.

 

[My2heartboys]

When I first started my tank, I had been reading a book on natural reef aquariums (still not finished with that book-BTW) and had read about having to ground your tanks. When I walked into the LFS to buy some supplies, I asked about it and the owner looked at me like "wow." Reason for this look--not many people ask about it until they have done everything else about various problems. It is not usually a question that a beginner would ask. She did not mention that using power strips with a turn off switch would be necessary, but did recommend that a grounding probe be used.

With all of that said, I can say that we use both.

Anne

 

[Detri]

Well a power bar is alot diffrent than GFCI outlets. Reason being, a power bar is used to protect equipment. From electrical surges due to someone getting elecricuted in another part of the house or when bad storms hit the area, causing a surge of power throught out the dwelling. Best used for PC's, Home Theatre systems, etc. The brand and type you buy or use has diffrent applications. I have heard of bars that are breakers simular to GFCI but never seen them, well never looked for them. In my opinion, they are unreliable unless you buy the ones that are expensive, not the $10-$30 ones. On my home theatre I had a surge during a storm and thought I was protected with the cheap bar. I lost my whole system. $3000 worth of equipment fried. After I bought my new system from insurance claims. I bought a new power bar. it cost me $200 (these prices are all Canadian by the way, so half that would be US prices, hehe ) Now not sure if it is working properly or not, thank goodness, but if it does fails. The company that makes them will replace my system at there expence.

So in short, make sure its a power bar to protect you from shock Before the outlet. Not the ones that protect your equipment from outside surges, due to storms, power outages and accidents not related to the aquarium and gear.

 

[Scooterman]

Well a power bar is alot diffrent than GFCI outlets. Reason being, a power bar is used to protect equipment. From electrical surges due to someone getting elecricuted in another part of the house causing a surge of power throught out the dwelling. Best used for PC's, Home Theatre systems, etc. So in short, make sure its a power bar to protect you from shock Before the outlet. Not the ones that protect your equipment from outside surges, due to storms, power outages and accidents not related to the aquarium and gear.

Actually a power strip & a surge strip is two different things people can easily confuse. The power strip is unprotected, in most cases without a breaker. The surge strip will have a joule rating & a breaker built in, which is made for voltage spikes &/or surges. Use of these with a GFCI is an added bonus of protection.

 

[Detri]

Thats basically what I said, I thought. But I am very bad at expressing myself in text. LOL. But yea. They both have very diffrent jobs and can work against you if yur not properly informed. Not saying they are bad though

 

[Scooterman]

In that case consider it a shortened version!

 

[Detri]

In that case consider it a shortened version!

LOL Sweet! I have an interpreter.

 

[Pauls]

Pauls what name brand lights do you have?

Scooterman, I have a 30" current with 2 65 watt pc's switched independently and lunar lights. They work great for me. The gfi"s do not trip if i use the cheap 2 prong timers on the lights, only with the 3 prong appliance timers. Its probably the gfi. Its not a circuit from my breaker box, just the plug in type. Of course i bought them on closeout from the local Pets Mart, if that tells you anything lol. Any way with my lighting, im not to worried about having a shocking experience. However someday i will upgrade to a better gfi.

 

[Scooterman]

Pauls, in most cases like this it is a ground problem, usually the light fixture itself needs grounding & your GFCI should work fine, sometimes the manufacturer will have a ground internally but not to the chassis, not that it is necessary to have the lights on a GFCI anyways, mainly you want pumps & phs, heater anything in water to be protected.

 

[Pauls]

thanks scooty