3 ft by 3ft by 2 ft of wires!!!

madison

madison

Member
Calling all Electricians
Calling all Carpenters
Calling all Smart people
Is there a better way to “wire” equipments?
Canopy
3 MH’s
3 Ballasts
3 Moonlights
2 ~ 4”fans
~ 90 feet of wires
Sump / Ref
2 PC’s
1 ballast
3 Pumps
1 protein skimmer
1 chiller
2 ~ 2”fans
1 ~ 8” fan
~ 30 feet of wires
Since the tank is a free standing room divider all the wires are directed to the right side…I have about 50 lbs of wires, 2 mike crates, 5 surge protectors and 4 timers…it looks like Radio Shack had exploded!!!
Anybody had any luck building some sort of cabinet or an entire circuit panel of any sorts?
PIC's will help. Thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:help: :help: :help: :help:
 
sw65galma

sw65galma

Active Member

Originally posted by Madison
:) LOL
What about a Constant Power Source w/ a battery backup (Office Depot) anybody using that?

I have one, that I run a powerhead and the heater off of, In case we were to loose power, there would be water circulation and heat, since it's cold around here.
You need a large one though, I'd say alteast 1000va.
I have an 8000VA on my 300 gal. and a 4000VA on my 180, 1100va on my 65, 500va on my 46, 500va on my 15.
 
sw65galma

sw65galma

Active Member
Oh almost forgot one thing.
.

WITH OUT A DOUBT AND ANY QUESTION. MAKE 10000% SURE YOU ARE USING A GCFI PROTECTED OUTLET.
That's like the outlets in bathrooms that have the breaker on them.
They will trip before you get shocked....And you WILL get shocked..
Just make this Mandatory...They are cheap and will save your life.
To think you'll be able to have water and electricity and NEVER get shocked it taking a huge risk.
 
madison

madison

Member
sw65galma ~ Thank you
Is there a limit how many plugs I can put on it? I currently have 17 different units on 5 surge protectors and 4 timers..will I over load the unit?
 
sw65galma

sw65galma

Active Member

Originally posted by Madison
sw65galma ~ Thank you
Is there a limit how many plugs I can put on it? I currently have 17 different units on 5 surge protectors and 4 timers..will I over load the unit?

The only limit is your wiring. It is the whole outlet...So whatever you could normally plug into 1 outlet...If you are using Mutliple Wall outlets, you'll need to change allthe ones you are using..
or
For your case.
The best thing to do is change your Circuit Breaker in the panel.
This will Protect every plug it provides service to.
If it's fairly new..All you need to do is take the front Panel off and the breakers Just SNAP in and out. Buy a new one rated at the same Size. I can post a pic if you want.
 
madison

madison

Member
sw65galma

I would love to see a pic...only if it's convienient for you :)
Thank God it's a city code for me that ALL plugs in the house must be GFI'd.
Speaking of shocked...my partner's cat was licking the wires and BOOM flew across the room and didn't see her for days...and who said girls can't have any much fun as boys

:cheer:
I think I am gonna have a electrian come in and build a breaker and a dedicated panel next to the tank...maybe hide it with a cabinet with some built in fans?....
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
So many questions???? Basically you are looking for a way plug your 17 devices into something so that it looks better, is easy to reach and is safe to use?
Questions.
1. Where is your tank now in relation to any walls.
2. Where are the nearest outlets to your tank.
3. Do you have any switches that you need to get to.
4. Are you concerned about asthetics or functioanility more
5. More questions to come.
P.S. Do not call in an electrician with what you stated in your last statement. An honset guy will give you what you want, a dishonest guy will soak you big time.
Scott
 
madison

madison

Member
I will post a pic as soon as I get home tonite...the tank is a room divider for my living room and family room. It has a 3ft retaining wall only. The stand is built to 3 ft tall and the tank is "above" the wall on both sides. The tank is view-able on all 3 sides.
Questions.
1. Where is your tank now in relation to any walls.
~ on the retaining wall, 2 ft away from the far wall
2. Where are the nearest outlets to your tank.
~ 2 GFI's behind the stand
3. Do you have any switches that you need to get to.
~ No switches...that is why I have so many timers
4. Are you concerned about asthetics or functioanility more
~ Both...since it's a room divider view-able (100%) on 3 sides and 50% on the last side (where the wires all are)
5. More questions to come.
~ I am sorry...I am still new to this hobby...after all this the only reliable forum where I can get all the expert advises
:)
 
chris s

chris s

Member
I think this is a fire hazard waiting to blow up. I had a friend who is an electrician and it was pretty cheap and quick. One thing i didnt want to do is burn my house down. i would trade my whole setup to keep a roof over my head! Call an Electrician!
:mad:
 
madison

madison

Member
Scotts...I am so sorry...I am currently out of state for business...I will be home tonite and the pics will be posted...Thanks you for your patience and I am sorry...
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
okay dumb question but here it goes....
I don't think I have the special outlet(GFI'd) that I am plugging all of my stuff into. Is there any kind of electrical device that does the same thing that plugs into the regular outlet? For example, something simlilar to a surge protector but the other way?
Adam
 
madison

madison

Member
what doesn't show in the pic are three 4x5x4 ballasts and on the middle tier of the mike crates is another 6x5x3 ballast
Since it's a room divider there are 3 visible side and all the wires are directed to this side
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
Adam, I persaonally do not know of any type of device taht would work like a GFI.
Madison :eek: :scared: :eek: :scared: In case I forgot to say it. :eek: First of all you want to get rid of those tie wraps on the cords. You can use electrical tape to wrap the cords together, but I would recommend making 2 groups of 3 cords each. Idiot disclaimer: I ran the maint. dept. for 5 years and then was the safety guy for 4 years, so some of my advice will be one the safer OSHA side of things. Also I am more used to industrial applications than residential.
There are some options that you have to make it look better, and also to be better. What I was thinking off the top of my head was an electrical box, not necessarily a panel, with many outlets in it. The box could be placed on a little wood kind of like step stool. The wood could match your stand and the electrical box could be painted white. All of this could be below that dividing wall at your place. I can give you more details if you would like tomorrow, but right now the wife is string at me like "get off the damn computer......"
Scott
 
madison

madison

Member
You have a great wife!!! she cares about you:) you should never trade in a good woman for the computer :)
My little womon...now's that's a subject for the "Aquarium"

An electrical box? would Home Depot know what I am talking about? or should I got to a specialty store...you know how it is when a girl walks into a hardware store...I pratically have to be in a bikini to get some help :-(
Yes Scotts I would much appreciate more help
 
madison

madison

Member
jarice1978
You can get a yellow adapter at Home Depot...aproximately the size of a hair dryer plug called "GFI" adapter...$8.99. I just saw that today
 
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