20 amp breaker?

[shaggyblz]

Do you guys run all of your equipment off of a single breaker? I have had some problems with my breaker tripping and am getting ready to install a 20 amp breaker for aquarium use only. Right now I have my heater and power head running on a separate breaker than the lights, filters, etc. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[markeo99]

I have to run my 3x250 seperately from the rest of my tank or not watch tv

 

[don trinko]

A 15 amp breaker is good for 1750 watts, 20amp abought 2400 watts. I'm guessing you have other things attatched to the breaker that is tripping or something is shorting. Don T.

 

[shaggyblz]

Originally Posted by Don Trinko
http:///forum/post/2845284
A 15 amp breaker is good for 1750 watts, 20amp abought 2400 watts. I'm guessing you have other things attatched to the breaker that is tripping or something is shorting. Don T.
Nothing except my tank. Lights, filter, skimmer, heater, and power head. Thinking it could be my heater. It got a little cool in the house the other day. Heater had to put in overtime.

 

[shaggyblz]

Would you guys mind suggesting a new heater to heat a 110g? I would like to get one that doesn't have to work as hard to heat the tank.

 

[markeo99]

I have 2 200 watt stealths in my 150 love them

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by markeo99
http:///forum/post/2845396
I have 2 200 watt stealths in my 150 love them
Whatever brand you buy I would suggest multiple heaters. Set one for 1-2 degrees below the other so if you lose one you have a back up. I know they are considered 'average' heaters by many but I use Marineland.

 

[ibew41]

Originally Posted by Don Trinko
http:///forum/post/2845284
A 15 amp breaker is good for 1750 watts, 20amp abought 2400 watts. I'm guessing you have other things attatched to the breaker that is tripping or something is shorting. Don T.
for a 20a breaker do not go over 16a and 15a breaker about 12a.You only can use up to 80% of the breaker rating so 20a about 1920w and a 15a breaker 1440w

 

[snakeblitz33]

Originally Posted by IBEW41
http:///forum/post/2846149
for a 20a breaker do not go over 16a and 15a breaker about 12a.You only can use up to 80% of the breaker rating so 20a about 1920w and a 15a breaker 1440w
I've never heard of this. Intriguing.
Everything has an amp reading on there. a powerhead uses like.25 amps and a 250 watt metal halide uses like 2.5 amps as long as you know how many amps your equipment is using, then you shouldn't have a problem if you are under.
A microwave uses like 14 amps and a toaster oven like 7 amps. You have 21 amps on that circuit, it's going to cut off.
For example, I had a 1hp jacuzzi pump running a 1500 gallon system. I had it on a 100 amp breaker. It took 80 amps to even start the dern thing and 18 amps to run it constantly. That's worse then running a microwave 24/7.

 

[ibew41]

it is the national electric code if you run a load over 16a for awhile it will trip the breaker current x voltage= watts but not for calculating breaker and wire size

 

[ibew41]

For example, I had a 1hp jacuzzi pump running a 1500 gallon system. I had it on a 100 amp breaker. It took 80 amps to even start the dern thing and 18 amps to run it constantly. That's worse then running a microwave 24/7.the 80a is inrush current and the 18a would be full load current.A basic example of why you dont fig a breaker by just adding up full load current the breaker would trip on the inrush thats why you deduct 20% but this is a very basic example

 

[m0nk]

I'm in the process of working out a new circuit in my breaker box just for the fish tank too. I don't have it all worked out just yet, but hopefully within the next couple months I'll have it done.

 

[shaggyblz]

I found out what was tripping the breaker. As I reached in the tank, I rubbed my arm across the metal base of the light fixture and felt a shock. After a bit of trouble shooting and testing with a meter, I found that my heater was shorting through the water. I actually had electrical current traveling through the water. I removed the heater immediately. Have you guys ever had this problem? By the way, it is a Stealth heater. Won't be buying another.

 

[chilwil84]

Originally Posted by IBEW41
http:///forum/post/2846149
for a 20a breaker do not go over 16a and 15a breaker about 12a.You only can use up to 80% of the breaker rating so 20a about 1920w and a 15a breaker 1440w
we run 2 circular saws and a compressor that many times run simoptainiously and dont trip a 15 amp breaker. most things dont run at the rating written on them unless you totally stop them from performing(like stopping the blade on a circular saw or putting your finger into your powerhead and stop the flow). so in theory what your saying is correct but in real world product numbersyou can run equal to or over the breakers amp rating.

 

[ibew41]

Originally Posted by chilwil84
http:///forum/post/2850687
we run 2 circular saws and a compressor that many times run simoptainiously and dont trip a 15 amp breaker. most things dont run at the rating written on them unless you totally stop them from performing(like stopping the blade on a circular saw or putting your finger into your powerhead and stop the flow). so in theory what your saying is correct but in real world product numbersyou can run equal to or over the breakers amp rating.
so do you have a fridge a microwave and a tv on the same circuit at home?the numbers I gave are for constant loads like lights, ph,and pumps that are on for long periods of time.I deal with real world installations like this all the time IBEW is international brotherhood of electrical workers.

 

[ibew41]

Originally Posted by Shaggyblz
http:///forum/post/2850581
I found out what was tripping the breaker. As I reached in the tank, I rubbed my arm across the metal base of the light fixture and felt a shock. After a bit of trouble shooting and testing with a meter, I found that my heater was shorting through the water. I actually had electrical current traveling through the water. I removed the heater immediately. Have you guys ever had this problem? By the way, it is a Stealth heater. Won't be buying another.
do you have a ground probe in your tank?

 

[shaggyblz]

No, I don't. A ground probe may cause electricity to flow to other parts of your tank instead of being isolated to the malfunctioning heater, pump, etc.

 

[legion]

I had a dedicated 20 amp breaker put in when I bought my house.

 

[shaggyblz]

Just finished adding a 20a breaker that will be dedicated to the tank.

 

[chilwil84]

Originally Posted by IBEW41
http:///forum/post/2852702
so do you have a fridge a microwave and a tv on the same circuit at home?the numbers I gave are for constant loads like lights, ph,and pumps that are on for long periods of time.I deal with real world installations like this all the time IBEW is international brotherhood of electrical workers.

so then u know that nothing runs the amount written on the label. The amount on the label is a max draw under stress.