ELECTRICAL ADVICE???

[Reptoreef]

Shultz and I have found our new home... it's older and the electrical is not grounded(2 receptical instead of 3). So, here is the question: What options do I have as far as setting up my tank? It is a 120 gl(lit by 2- 250 watt metal halides and 4- 65 watt compacts), LED moonlighting, with a 55 gl fuge(55 watt RSD), a 55 gl sump(skimmer and auto top off), runs a calcium reactor and a kalk reactor as well as an ozone reactor. There are 2 return pumps(1- 700 gph and 1- 900 gph) and a 300 watt heater. I also have 2- 6" fans, a ORP controller and a ph controller, a wave maker w/4 power heads, and lastly... I intend to add a 20 or so gl gravity fed refugium above the aquarium. LOTS OF ELECTRICITY, I'm imagining! Can I get by with just a GCFI, or will I need to re-wire that 1 socket to a ground, or any other suggestions? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

[jojo22]

I would rewire it is much safer!!! If you go that route it may be a convience to have the electrician add another service box (where the breakers are) just for the tanks. It may or may not also be cheaper than trying to run grounded and ungrounded circuts from one box.

[Sparky]

You do not need a ground when using GFCI receptacles. A GFCI device works by in-ballances on the neutral (ie you and water). Infact your only option is to change your 2 prong receptacles with GFCI ones if you are needing that third ground prong. To keep the recptacles code complaint. If you change a receptacle with out a ground it needs to be a GFCI or the 2 prong type on a ungrounded system. Sounds like you have alot of equipment to hook up can you get a fresh circuit or two to that location?

[Sparky]

Also keep in mind even if you run new circuits with a new wire with a ground your electrical service is a ungrounded service. So the ground wire is serving no purpose I would try to keep you tank equiupment on a sep fuse if you can.

[carpenterwrasse]

my thought as well....is it a circuit breaker or fuse system if its a fused system it is a little more tricky but do able....

[jojo22]

They would ground the system when adding the new breaker box...wouldn't they???

[jerryc]

Jason just drive or have someone drive a ground rod at the entrance serves and bond to the neutral after that you can just put the ground to the neutral bar. thin run your new circuit with GFI to the tank.
A separate grand bar is good' but it has to bond to the neutral somewhere
to work right.

[carpenterwrasse]

thats correct new services require i beleive 2 grounding rods...When i had mine put in thats what he did... they are about 6 feet long copper rods that home depot sells

[jerryc]

The number of ground rods depends on the Resistance between the rod and connect point. But most homes will just need one.

[carpenterwrasse]

i went from a standard i think 10 fuse box to a 200 amp 20 slot circuit breaker box and thats what my electician friend said i needed so thats what i bought

[graphixx]

JAY!!! Congrats on the house again buddy. You have to let me know when you get all settled in and me and the wife will come up and visit. I was actually in fielding last weekend (dont yell at me for not coming to see you) I was a pretty quick trip to see family. but when you get moved in we will come up and see the house.

[Shultzybabe]

HE WON'T YELL AT YOU BUT I WILL!!
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

[Sparky]

The neutral has to bond at the first point of diconnect. I would do a service up grade and get rid of your old fuse box. It will add to the value of your home if you go from a 100 amp fuse box to a 200 amp breaker panel. In WI a service up grade runs any where from $1200-$2500. depending on what all needs to be done. I don't know how strong you housing market is but around here people are working some good deals. Have you had the house inspected? See if you can get the owner to pay for the up grade to bring the house up to code.

[jerryc]

The neutral has to bond at the first point of diconnect. I would do a service up grade and get rid of your old fuse box. It will add to the value of your home if you go from a 100 amp fuse box to a 200 amp breaker panel. In WI a service up grade runs any where from $1200-$2500. depending on what all needs to be done. I don't know how strong you housing market is but around here people are working some good deals. Have you had the house inspected? See if you can get the owner to pay for the up grade to bring the house up to code.

I need to move to your location we get from 800 to 1800 to do the
same hear.

[carpenterwrasse]

i paid a union buddy 600 to upgrade mine to 200 amps here in pa

[Sparky]

you got a good deal!!! and have a good budy!!!! In the madison WI area you can well over a 1200 for a 200 upgrade depending on if it's over head or underground

[Iconz]

If it were me, I'd either get the upgrade done, just as the others have said. It provides your whole house with MUCH better saftey. I also would spend the extra 70 bucks and run a seperate circuit to where your tank is going to be, and also put arc fault breakers in the panel. I just hope your house has either attic access or a crawl-space access...

Btw... I'm in the process of going through certification classes for home inspecting here in GA... It sounds like there are a couple of other qualified ppl here as well...

If you're spending 2000 + on a tank, spend less than that to get your entire house upgraded, IMO.

[Reptoreef]

I'm spending only $50 for the upgrade.... I've been getting in on good deals and now the time has come to get the tank... $50 from another reefer junkie.