Aaaaaaah! Disaster!

**BrianPlankis** · 01-29-2008, 09:58 PM

Well the good thing is that most everything has recovered and you have prevented the problem from occurring again. My GFCI has saved me from being electrocuted at least twice during water changes

Best investment for a reef tank that I can think of.

I hope everything else recovers! Good luck!

Brian

**CarmieJo** · 02-01-2008, 08:39 PM

My brother-in-law is an electrician. He recommended rather than installing a GFCI outlet that I go with one of these Philips Phillips #S10058800104/17 8 Out Power Center/GFCI: Compare Prices, View Price History and Read Reviews at NexTag.

**Phurst** · 02-01-2008, 08:50 PM

Hmm, interesting. Would be easier to reset than the outlet, which is mostly behind the stand. It took me an hour to get the standard outlet out and the GFCI in.

**CarmieJo** · 02-01-2008, 08:52 PM

Yeah, it pays to have an electrician and a plumber for brothers-in-law. Too bad they both live in OH.

**Phurst** · 02-01-2008, 08:54 PM

Oh, the tank. The two RBTAs looked pretty good today for the first time. The final death toll is:

1 Green clown goby
1 Carpenter's flasher wrasse
1 Orange spot goby
All snails
All shrimp
A couple of heads of candycane
1 pink birdsnest
2 blue torts

Everything else is more or less back to normal. A couple of things still look a little stressed, but they should eventual y be fine.

**dfisch1** · 02-02-2008, 02:17 AM

The last time I built a stand for someone I wired in several duplex plugs all lead off of a GFCI. The entire stand is then plugged into a single wall outlet. This makes moving tank and stand much easier. It also reduces the risk of electrical problems because the outlets are under the tank itself. I know this sounds weird but by being under the tank drip loops are almost always created when something is plugged in, the tank also acts like , for lack of a better term, an umbrella. As long as the tank does not leak there is no problems. I have several friends that I did this for, none of them have had any problems with the system, including a friend that had a tank explode when his son hit it with a baseball.

**Phurst** · 02-02-2008, 11:28 PM

Wrasse reappeared today

**CarmieJo** · 02-03-2008, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Phurst

Wrasse reappeared today

Yippee!

**Astrivian** · 02-03-2008, 10:30 PM

OMG Pearson, i am so sorry to hear about this.

I really need to get GFCIs for my tank. I keep putting it off.

Hey man, if you want some bangaii cardinals i will have some for you in a month or two. I would offer corals but i don't really have any yet (just some small zoanthids).

**Phurst** · 02-04-2008, 12:07 AM

Hey, thanks Samuel. I've been following your cardinal thread, very cool. I've had a heck of a time finding any locally. If you get them far enough along to ship, let me know, and how much you want for a couple.

**Phurst** · 02-05-2008, 09:47 PM

Hey, look who decided to make an appearance tonight!

The undead wrasse wanted to pose too

***lReef lKeeper*** · 02-05-2008, 10:09 PM

must have just scared them all. glad to hear that the losses are minimal buddy.

**Phurst** · 02-05-2008, 10:36 PM

I guess so. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed on the clown goby.

**Astrivian** · 02-05-2008, 11:27 PM

I have too much time on my hands.

**Phurst** · 02-05-2008, 11:33 PM

Mmmm, since he's clearly a reanimated zombie wrasse, I he should be saying "Brains..."

**rroselavy** · 02-06-2008, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by Astrivian

I really need to get GFCIs for my tank. I keep putting it off.

ORDER ONE NOW. We want you to be with us Astrivian.

I've been through about 4 GFCI devices so far. Two small plugin types, one GFCI outlet and one (3 plug) extension type. I had false trips on two GFCI devices (1 outlet and 1 plugin), and one GFCI (small plug-in type) trips when there is a blackout, so it does not restore power when the power comes on. Needless to say, not all GFCI are created equal. Make sure to routinely test each one before you rely on it.

This is the one I like best right now: Tower Shock Buster

Heavy duty, does not trip during a blackout, no false tripping yet (another device false tripped with same equipment), easy to install (can't procrastinate), and has already saved me recently during a routine WC. $25 is cheap insurance for your welfare.

I like Carmie's GFCI also since it allows you to install the strip (high up) in your stand, preventing exposed cords outside your tank and creating an automatic drip loop.

---

Sorry to hear about your losses Pearson. I am very glad that you're all right.

V · 02-06-2008, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Astrivian

I really need to get GFCIs for my tank. I keep putting it off.

Im only laxed at work, ive even got the cables in a 3 set of draws to protect & hide. lol Its a bit like insurance, crock of $&%^ money pit until the day comes when you needed it! At least i know better & have it at home