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Yikes! Total tank shut down

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by rockinsmall, Jun 10, 2010.

  1. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    I was just about to leave my house a second ago and suddenly i hear my whole tank stop and lights go out. The rest of the room is still lit up and its on the same breaker. So, im sittin here staring at my tank, not knowing why it shut off or how to get it back on. Help!
     
  2. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    Ok, so i unplugged the main power stips and pressed the reset button. the tank came on.... i kinda smelled a burning small, though i dont have much of a sense of smell, and then it JUST turned off again.... what is going on?
     
  3. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    either the house wiring or the surge strip isn't handleing the power draw too well. My guess would be surge protectors if they are tripping. Can you seperate some of the stuff and move it to a different circuit?
     
  4. Dave Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines Area
    Ratings:
    +450 / 1 / -0
    Do you have it on a GFI (Ground Fault interupt) outlet or plug in strip? If so,it should have a reset button to push. Do you have a power strip with a fuse? If so you may have blown it... Not sure what else to suggest...

    Dave
     
  5. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    So, after 6 months it decides theres too much power? but wouldnt that trip the circuit in the garage, then all my lights would be out.....

    Should i go get a better power strip??
     
  6. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    yea, i have the gfi and thats the reset button i pushed, tank came on, and then went right back off. i dont know about fuses in power strips/??
     
  7. Gordo

    212
    Dallas Center
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    Did any water get on the powerstip?  That would cause the smell and trip it
     
  8. williamh

    williamh

    84
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    maybe, unplug everything and start plugging stuff in to see if something is leaking?
     
  9. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    power strips r hanging on the inside side of the stand, they are 2 feet from the sump and totally dry...
    what could be leaking... not even sure what to look for
     
  10. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    im gettin kinda worried now...
     
  11. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    you may have been running close to the load limit of the surge protector. Over time this can "weaken" the breaker so to speak and it can trip easier.
     
  12. williamh

    williamh

    84
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    I meant leak in electricity.sorry, it would cause your gfi to trip.
     
  13. mcclandy

    mcclandy

    254
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    i would get a new, beefy, powerstrip. This would be a good time to take a look at how much power (watts or amps) you have plugged into your current powerstrip. a lot of power strips are not rated for a lot of power; to say the least. Either way, get a new power strip.
     
  14. williamh

    williamh

    84
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    Is it your gfi or the powerstrip that is tripping?
     
  15. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    the gfi was tripping... i unplugged everything and then reglugged each item in one at a time. the tank is back up and running.

    Maybe i dont have a hefty enough power strip.... how do i know the difference between a good one and a not as good one?

    Everything on my 75gallon is plugged into one power strip.
     
  16. williamh

    williamh

    84
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    What do you have plugged into your powerstrip? I would deff. try to split it between 2 strips if you could. Just what I think /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif
     
  17. phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Riverside
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The lights/ballast are gonna be a big power sucker, as well as any return pumps or skimmer pumps. I'd put the lights on their own strip. I think price is the main factor in getting a better power strip. I always look for one that's waterproof and look for it saying it can handle a lot of electronics plugged into it. I use a DC8 partly now as well with my controller.
     
  18. Big Country

    Big Country Inactive User

    149
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    Keep an eye on the GFI - one in my fishroom went bad...tripped for no reason and very often. I replaced it and have had no problems (nothing else in the fishroom changed - same stuff plugged into the new one)...
     
  19. rockinsmall

    rockinsmall Inactive User

    646
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    i have my big return pump, skimmer pump, dual sun sun wavemaker, 2 dual fans, and the 2x250watt halides on it!
    i will seperate them asap!
     
  20. offroadodge

    offroadodge Inactive User

    29
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    wow that alot for one plug.. the whole room is probly wired on a 15 amp breaker and ur using probly 12amp on ONE plug...not to mention whatever is plugged in in the room. So soon it will get to the point where it burns up the GFCI and then breaker.if it were me and u knew an electrician id have him come and look at the wire size at the breaker, if its big enuff wire to handle a bigger breaker then id put a bigger breaker in.JMO
     

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