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ChrisRD

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On my next setup, I was planning on grounding the system with a grounding probe (or two). I'm going to have a refugium/sump on this system also. Does it make any sense to ground the refugium AND the main tank? Is one probe anywhere in the system adequate? Should I just ground the main tank?
 
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Anonymous

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hi.
Saltwater is very efficient in transmitting the electricity. So if there is a connection between the main tank and the refugium (plumbing or pipe that always filled with saltwater), you will not need two grounding probes.

:idea: If someone tell you that you need both, put a hair dryer in the main tank, and ask him/her to put his/her hand in the refugium. Oh, make sure the dryer is plugged in. I am sure you will have a story to tell us. :twisted:
 

ChrisRD

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seven ephors":39neslpa said:
:idea: If someone tell you that you need both, put a hair dryer in the main tank, and ask him/her to put his/her hand in the refugium. Oh, make sure the dryer is plugged in. I am sure you will have a story to tell us. :twisted:

I think I'll just take your word for it :lol: ....

Wasn't sure if there would be a sufficient "connection" to the main tank via the water in the drain and return lines to transmit the low, stray voltages.

Thanks for the response.
 

dizzy

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Wolfman":1yrctqh1 said:
On my next setup, I was planning on grounding the system with a grounding probe (or two). I'm going to have a refugium/sump on this system also. Does it make any sense to ground the refugium AND the main tank? Is one probe anywhere in the system adequate? Should I just ground the main tank?

Wolf normally saltwater is a very effecient conductor of electricity that is true. A much larger grounding wire is required to handle short circuit current than to pull stray voltages out of the water. Heaters, submersible pumps, power heads, lighting etc. all are hazardous. Make sure you have everything plugged into a ground fault circuit or receptacle in addition to the grounding probe. IMO those grounds probes you buy at the lfs do not add much safety to the system.
 
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Anonymous

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sorry I don't have the link right now but there is a 4 page thread on reef central debating probes and gfi's. Please read it and let me know what it you learned! :wink:
 

Marcosreef

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Wolfman,

I would definetly recommend using more than 1 GFCI on your system.

Sometimes they can trip without cause. Have some powerheads, etc and the main system pump on seperate units just in case.

Even seperate circuits is even better in case the fuse or circuit breaker trips when no one is home or around to reset it.

JMHO, Marco
 

IcantTHINKofONE

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Marcosreef":3bpaz59k said:
Sometimes they can trip without cause. Have some powerheads, etc and the main system pump on seperate units just in case.

I agree. Especially your return pumps should be on separate GFI's (if more than one pump) That's why I went with 2 smaller pumps instead of one larger pump. You should consider this if you don't already have return pumps. My GFI breaker "popped" for no reason the other day too.
 

Nelliereefster

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Your standard computer "surge suppressors" are enough to handle any potential short circuit that may ground out a component. They employ the same trip gizmo as GFCI plug fixtures. As long as all of your components have three-pronged plugs, you are already "grounded."
 
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Anonymous

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Your standard computer "surge suppressors" are enough to handle any potential short circuit that may ground out a component. They employ the same trip gizmo as GFCI plug fixtures
hi.
Please be more careful and specific when stating things that can be lethal. Do you have the schematic/gizmo of a 'standard computer surge suppressor' and a GFCI? Or have you take apart a surge suppressor and a GFCI?
 

aggiefish

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I had a problem with my system tripping. For some reason when they built the house they put some of the indoor plugs in the same circuit as my outdoor plugs. So I had a pump for my pond in the front and the pump for my tank running on the same circuit as well as the other tank equipment. Whenever it would rain or the air would get humid the whole system would trip and flood, not good. So I had an electrician seperate the circuits and add grounded plugs. $$$ but worth it to have piece of mind.
 

Marcosreef

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It's best to use 2 separate circuits, with a GFI on each in case one breaker trips, or the fuse burns.

But if you only have one circuit to work with, using 2 GFI's is better in case one trips out.

Marco
 

Reefguide

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Anyone ever use UPS's? (uninterupted power supply)... You know normally used for computers when power goes out.
 
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Anonymous

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Anyone ever use UPS's? (uninterupted power supply)... You know normally used for computers when power goes out

Very Expensive UPS's for production servers (Thosusands of dollars) only allow enough time for the server to shut down gracefully instead of just going out. I don't think they would be useful.

As long as all of your components have three-pronged plugs, you are already "grounded

You need to know that the outlet actually has a ground wire that is completed to a valid ground. Just because there is a three prong plug is not good enough. You can get a ground tester from Home Depot/Hardware store to test your outlets, only a couple bucks. I have had three prong outlest and GFI's that actually had no ground.
 
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Anonymous

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reefguide, I don't know if this is what you're getting at, but...

what if your gfi trips and you have some sort of ups device, inverter or whatever? It will go on and complete your electrocution????
 

Bill2

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Depending you your wiring you can piggy back a 2nd socket that is not a GFI onto a GFI socket and it will be covered by the first GFi. Confused yet?

LINE---->GFI----->Non GFI Plug

Pro's are you don't have to buy another GFI and get the same coverage.

Con's are if that first GFI goes out it takes out the Non_GFI plug.

I have my 230 tank on 4 different circuits with 6 GFI's

Another thing to think about it. Any switch that trips on power surges get's flakier and flakier each time it trips. SO if that GGI trips a few times it's time to replace it.
 

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