[rhouse24]

I am about to add in a new circuit dedicated to my 120g. Does anyone have an idea for how many outlets I would want?

 

[streetrodder007]

If your only pulling 1 new circuit, I would probably add at least 2 duplex receptacles. That gives you 4 openings to plug equipment in to. When we pull circuits in on the job, if we are unsure how many openings a customer needs, we might add another circuit or 1-2 extra receptacles. It's way cheaper and easier to do it up front, than later on down the road when walls are finished, and equipment is in the way, etc. Plus any outlets not being used are just for convenience and will not cost you anything as far as KW usage. The down side is you don't want to put too many extra receptacles in a open area where someone could use your dedicated circuit for something they want, such as electric heaters, refrigerators, etc etc, because you now have a high chance of overloading your circuit you are counting on for livestock. Also consider a GFCI breaker, depending on the type you need, you can buy 1 for roughly $35. Not a Arc-Fault, for your situation.

 

[Riddler]

So is it fair to assume a single 15 amp breaker for a 2 plugs would be enough to run a larger tank (90G). I'm planning my 90G build I have the same question, how many plugs where I plan on putting the tank?

I'm also planning to use an industrial strip plugged into one of the plugs.

How many amps does a larger tank normally require?

Riddler

 

[airplanes]

Too much is never enough

 

[reefone]

run 2 circuits if u can. ive got 2 and one runs just my lights and a few pumps. the other runs every thing else. once the circuit is run its real easy to add a couple plugs.

 

[cephalotus]

If your only pulling 1 new circuit, I would probably add at least 2 duplex receptacles. That gives you 4 openings to plug equipment in to. When we pull circuits in on the job, if we are unsure how many openings a customer needs, we might add another circuit or 1-2 extra receptacles. It's way cheaper and easier to do it up front, than later on down the road when walls are finished, and equipment is in the way, etc. Plus any outlets not being used are just for convenience and will not cost you anything as far as KW usage. The down side is you don't want to put too many extra receptacles in a open area where someone could use your dedicated circuit for something they want, such as electric heaters, refrigerators, etc etc, because you now have a high chance of overloading your circuit you are counting on for livestock. Also consider a GFCI breaker, depending on the type you need, you can buy 1 for roughly $35. Not a Arc-Fault, for your situation.

Absolutely make sure you use a GFCI. You can get one at Depot for $12 you only need one per circuit as long as it is first in line. It could save your life ask Airplanes.

 

[bigjohntheiufan]

I would highly recommend putting in 20 amp circuits on whatever you use. It is very easy to trip a 15 amp breaker if you turn on a few things at the same time. When stuff kicks on there is an initial surge of amperage that can easily trip a breaker. I have a 90 gallon display with a 75 gallon sump/fuge in the basement that I just wired up five months ago. I run my lights 2/250 mh and chiller on one 20 amp circuit and return pump. circulation pumps, skimmer, heater and refuge light on the other circuit. I started with one 20 amp circuit and I tripped it twice even though I was only drawing 11 amps with everything on. If I had everything on and the chiller kicked on the inital surge would trip the breaker every time. Heaters, especially if you have one large one, will have the same effect. Just think of how pissed you would be if you only put in one breaker to save a few bucks and had it trip and kill you system.

 

[rhouse24]

I don't believe 15 amps will be enough with 2x250mh.

 

[bigjohntheiufan]

15 amps would be more than enought to push 2x250 mh lights. My current 2x250 fixture only draws about 4 amps when fully wamred up and cooling fans running. I would just recommend the 20 amp breakers for the extra piece of mind.

 

[streetrodder007]

By NEC standards you shouldn't run more than 1920 watts(16 amps) on a 20 amp circuit, and 1440 watts(12 amps) on a 15 amp circuit. Like the one guy just posted, you will have small surges on start up of inductive items like motors etc. And if you are wiring from scratch, I would spend the $10 extra dollars and do 20 amp circuits on #12 wire.
Basic theory - if you run 2 lights that each draw 250 watts = 500 watts total with nothing else running, that would put you at 4.166 amps. That's not much. My 55 gal pulls roughly 6 amps with everything on at it's peak. The only reason I know this is because I am using one of my houses general living room circuits, and I "Amp Probed" the circuit in the panel, to make sure the circuit would not trip from overload and the tank would go down when I am not at home.:3195: