I’m not sure if everyone is aware the danger in using common power strips with surge protectors in aquarium applications. I had a near disaster while on vacation, almost burning down my apt, fortunately my father was in my apt when the minor electrical fire ignited. Apparently the surge protector’s ability prevents a ground therefore inhibiting the tripping a CFGI outlet. I’ll admit i was a little lax in my salt creep cleaning which led to this potential disaster. Basically current was escaping from the power strip I had been using causing significant heating leading to smoke/fire. A few corals are stressed from this situation, but other than that my tank has seemed to fare OK. I’m moving from my present location in a month and am redesigning my system and probably downgrading my tank volume due to the potential fire risk. I don’t foresee my ability to rewire a rental Apt anytime soon. I’m curious what precautions other DRC members are taking in terms of fire prevention especially those living in rental arrangements.
Glad your situation was only a close call. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) are a must have in my opinion.
I use the plug-in shockbusters on my tanks.
Will comment more later, but the biggest thing I would say that needs to change is where your electrical strips are located. It shouldn’t be the case that you need to wipe the salt creep off them frequently, it should be that salt creep never touches them. My surge strips are typically very visible to the side of the tank.
If you have an issue with seeing all the wires and the surge strip outside of your stand you should look into a small cabinet or end table you can hide it in. Perhaps a TV stand. Most of my electrical for my main system sits in the stand for one of the tanks that has no sump.
Glad to hear it wasn’t a major disaster.
I removed regular out let and replaced it with GFCI in my tank, $13 from home depot and 10min to install. I had a problem with plug it type, it whould trip when power goes out, so I had to manualy reset it every time.
One point I also wanted to make is that surge protectors will prevent a CFGI from tripping potentially causing a major problem. The escaping current should have tripped my CFGI outlet preventing the minor fire.I thought I was being prepared by protecting from power surges typically done with most electronics.Jon that’s a good idea something my father actually did for me while i was away. I had the power strips hidden on the back side of my tank near the sump, where enviably some moisture or salt would accumulate. Now they are raised on the side of the tank with electrical tape covering the power strips.
[quote=“Jocephus, post:2, topic:3155”]
Glad your situation was only a close call. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) are a must have in my opinion.
I use the plug-in shockbusters on my tanks.[/quote]
Never herd of shockbusters before? I guess they are just a plug-in version of a CFGI outlet?
Yep, I have one of them as well.
