Outlet for reef aquarium

T

TexRex

Premium Member
I've been working on getting a reef aquarium and it is being delivered in 3-4 weeks.  Today I learned I might need a 20 amp plug just for the aquarium.  I realize right now our TV/entertainment center and some lamps would be on the same circuit, and sometimes the vacuum cleaner is plugged into that room.I'm wondering if I need an electrician to wire for the aquarium.  If so, any ideas on costs? 
 
I would definitely add a dedicated circuit, especially if you were considering using the same one as your electronics. The cost will be minimal compared to what a tank cost or your electronics. Any electrician should be able to do it, and it won't be too much. 
 
Thanks Drew.  I realize the cost would be less than losing the aquarium, but any ideas of cost ranges?
 
I would think a couple hundred dollars in labor plus materials, but it's definitely not my specialty. I'd also recommend a quad plug, just to give you more outlets and you're already running the circuit. 
 
There are quite a few variables.  Is your house one story or two?  How far away from the breaker panel do you plan on installing the tank?  Do you have adequate attic/crawl space?  The only accurate way to know what you're dealing with is to get a few estimates.  The main expense would be the labor.  Breakers, outlets and romex aren't that expensive.  Maybe a licensed electrician will chime in on this topic.
 
Our house is a 2 story; aquarium is going on 1st floor.  There is adequate crawl space in the attic; not enough between floors.  It's possible there is some type of pipe with a line in it for stuff like this in the future.  Now that you mention that, I think such a thing was done.  We built the house in 2001. Thanks for the input!  I'm already in contact with an electric company and I'll provide them additional info. 
 
I would go with a dedicated GFCI outlet. That is what I did, I think it was like $125. I only have a one story and was pretty close to the panel.
 
I would be cautious about putting everything on GFCI. Definitely put anything that could potentially fall in the water on GFCI so you don't die, but I would keep the return pump and wave pumps on a normal outlet. You don't want phantom GFCI trips stopping all your water flow. 
 
I had the main breaker box replaced last year. I was quoted $400.00 to run the wire through the attic and a new outlet installed.  If I ran the wire and they terminated at each end (connect to main breaker box and install the outlet) then the price was $100.00 if they came back out or free if I did it while they were working on the breaker box install.Now here is the kicker, if your ceilings are higher than the standard room you have a fire block. Basically studs at 8ft running horizontally and you have to drill a hole through the studs to drop the wire. To get to the fire block you have to cut a hole in the sheetrock. Electricians are not sheet rock kinda guys and they would not do the finish work. You have to hire someone or do the tape and bed yourself.  
 
Thanks Michelle -- good info.  Our first floor ceilings are 9 ft.; 2nd floor are 8 ft.  Not sure what normal is.  I don't know what I'll do if this part is a lot.
 
Good Luck!  The fire block will be at the 9ft height. They will need to drill through either upstairs or in the room itself. And if on an exterior wall you have the insulation to deal with. I hope you have a channel already in place for future wiring, etc. that is close by. Sheetrock is not a hard fix. Patch, tape and bed are easy, it's the texturing that always causes me to cry. I have cross-hatch texture and I can never get the technique down.
 
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