Transformer plugs - how safe?

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Aderynglas

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Feb 4, 2003
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OK - Its Official, I can worry for Britain :o

We bought my youngest a Fish-R-Fun Tank (21 Litres) so he could keep a few fish of his own in his bedroom and learn about fish keeping. Its a great little kit devised to be safe for kids. 21 litre Glass Hex tank, integral trickle bio filter and lighting working off a single plug. The only drawback is that the instructions are pretty basic (How to put together and of the add fish + water variety)

So whats to worry about?? - The transformer in the plug!!!! Are they safe to be in constant use?? :confused: I'm afraid if I leave it on at night it could catch fire and we wouldn't get out in time :eek: So I'm not sleeping very well and usually end up turning it off for a few hours so i can get some sleep :( So far this hasn't affected the filter (tested the water ;) ) but its not ideal. Does anyone out there have the knowledge I'm after??

Thanks in advance
Polly
 
You mean that the lights and that are run on DC current? Weird....Anyways, I usually have things in my room plugged in all the time(with transformers), and my house hasn't burnt down, at least that I know of.......
 
Every fish tank filter is meant to be running 24/7. You do want to have a drip loop on the cord, so that if water should run down the line it goes on the floor not into the plug, but it is supposed to be on all the time.
 
Jason, Not wierd really :) our electricity supply delivers 240-250volts AC, but the transformer is ramping that down to only 12volts, the equivalent of a car battery :D which even delivered as DC is vastly safer than 240volts AC :D

anonapersona, thanks for that, drip loops are standard on all 3 tanks in the house ;) I know how long the filter is supposed to be on for but am not too confident about the transformer, usually we don't have visible transformers on fishtanks over here.

Folks, I guess I'm most worried about the transformer overheating and causing a fire :confused:
 
I would be suprised if the transformer doesnt have some sort of integrated thermal shut off. Even if it doesnt electronics are more likely to fail "open" and not short and catch fire. If you are really that concerned perhaps you should contact the manufacturer.

Get some sleep....fish keeping is supposed to be relaxing.....
 
Check it after its been running all day. If it feels excessivly hot, then you have cause to worry. I personally would find it hard to believe that they made an aquarium kit that cant run 24/7.

BTW- that the entire setup runs on 12 volts is a pretty awesome feature. Assuming of course, that the transformer wont overheat.
 
Ahhhh! there's the rub isn't it? :)

It is the neatest system I've ever seen, the company are in hong kong and actually make very big tanks on the same system, really effiicient filtration, more accessible to maintain than a canister or internal filter. I'm going to write to the company that market them here in the UK, as I'm getting really tired staying up till 3 am so that the tank isn't switched off for too long :rolleyes: Slipknottin that's exactly what I'm worried about - transformer overheating :( - it shouldn't, it seems to be totally legit and tested to british/ european standards but................

there's a piccy of it here (apologies to admin if this isn't allowed)
http://www.aa-aquarium.com/NewProduct2.php?id=8&line_id=&level=3

I'm really proud of my 7 year old, he's really taking an interest and doing things right, loves Sparkie the Betta and the 4 other littlies :D :D only feeding them every other day, can't wait to do a water change - ahh bless :) :) I'll post a piccy as soon as I get a good one :)
 
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