I have built a stand with four tanks on it. I put all the pumps, lights and Heaters in two power strips. Now the power strips will not reach the outlet. So can I put an extension on a power strip.
Thanks!
Bonnie
Thanks!
Bonnie
Electrical Wires for Fish Tanks
- Thread starter Bonniegiff
- Start date
Yes... as long as the extension cord can handle the load. The general rule of thumb is "make sure the extension cord is is thicker than the wires plugged into it."
GoldLenny
Senior Member? Do I get a 5% disc.?
Also make sure the circut can handle the load. While it's probably best to run a dedicated circuit for something that will have 5-10 things plugged in and running at one time, I know most of us at least partially overload the double-plug outlet nearest our tanks and instead of two things plugged in, it's like 5-10 things plugged in with dual power strips (sounds like your case). A typical household circuit might only be set up to handle 15W to 20W of load for all of the outlets on that circuit. Now, if you have nothing else in the house plugged into that same circuit (circuit, not outlet... there can be many outlets on the same circuit), you might get away with 10 things plugged into that one outlet but if you start plugging other things in, one of them can be the straw that breaks the camels back and causes the circuit breaker to trigger. As long as you're home when this happens, you can simply unplug the offending item and learn not to use that outlet again... and make sure all your fish stuff is back up and running... but if you're not home or if some else trips the circuit, then they may not even realize what they've done and just move their item to another outlet. Well.. I think you see where I'm going.
Thanks for your help. I am almost positive that the circut will handle it at one time I had a business growing Vilolets and had each outlet strong enough to hold 4 shop lights. I am going to have two power strips which will take six plugs (two Tanks) each. So far I have run 5 plugs on one with no problem.
Thanks again!
Bonnie
Thanks again!
Bonnie
GoldLenny
Senior Member? Do I get a 5% disc.?
Oops.. I just looked at my earlier post and realize I said "15W to 20W" when I meant 15A (Amps) to 20A. Big difference!! LOL
Just keep an eye on things. I'm not sure them Violets would keel over after a few hours of no lighting... the fish might not fare so well without heat and filtration depending on internal and external factors. Each heater can draw a couple of amps depending on their sizes whereas lighting does not use much amperage.
All it would take is for everything to get it close to the 10 Amp - 12 Amp range and then plug a vacuum cleaner (or other higher Amp appliance) into another wall outlet that happens to be on the same circuit and it trips the circuit breaker... or worse, blows a fuse. At least with a circuit breaker, someone can just click it back on... but lots of people don't have spare fuses when they need them. Of course, they're mostly antiques by now but there's still lots of them fuse box panels in use on old house.
I know almost all of us do it but since you asked, I thought I give the warning to others who might read the thread. BTW.. I'm looking at the power strip under my 65G tank with two light fixtures, two filters, a heater and then I have other things I plug into the extra outlets when needed.
Just keep an eye on things. I'm not sure them Violets would keel over after a few hours of no lighting... the fish might not fare so well without heat and filtration depending on internal and external factors. Each heater can draw a couple of amps depending on their sizes whereas lighting does not use much amperage.
All it would take is for everything to get it close to the 10 Amp - 12 Amp range and then plug a vacuum cleaner (or other higher Amp appliance) into another wall outlet that happens to be on the same circuit and it trips the circuit breaker... or worse, blows a fuse. At least with a circuit breaker, someone can just click it back on... but lots of people don't have spare fuses when they need them. Of course, they're mostly antiques by now but there's still lots of them fuse box panels in use on old house.
I know almost all of us do it but since you asked, I thought I give the warning to others who might read the thread. BTW.. I'm looking at the power strip under my 65G tank with two light fixtures, two filters, a heater and then I have other things I plug into the extra outlets when needed.