To GFI, Or Not To GFI.....

Tis' The question......

I'm going to redo some outlet wiring, and while doing so, the thought occurred to me to possibly add some GFI outlets for added protection. But, then I memory of all the times I've gone to customers houses and their garage was completely shut down due to a tripped GFI. If I'm gone at work, or worse, on vacation, with a family member watching my tank, and that GFI trips inadvertently, I'm in serious trouble. Does anybody have some personal insight on the subject??? Thanks in advance......

 

I just installed GFCI receptacles for both of my tanks. They really should be anywhere there is a possibility of getting wet. I personally have never seen a GFCI inadvertently trip, always a reason for it. But I suppose it is possible!

 

Indeed....Building code requires them just as you say....If there's plumbing with-in so many feet, there needs to be a GFCI, not to mention the safety matter.....But, if one of my outlets seriously gets water dumped on it, my main panel breaker will trip, and avoid any incident.....Right?

 

why not just add something like this for the tank, so it trips, and not your main breakers?

Shop Shock Buster 6' 4-Outlet 12-Gauge Extension Cord with GFCI Circuit at Lowes.com

 

ABSOLUTELY go GFCI!
It could save your life.
If tripping is a concern do as I did and install two different GFCI protected circuits close to the tank and split the pumps between them so even if one had a nuisance trip chances are the other would still be working.
I had a 15A GFCI circuit already and added a dedicated 20A GFCI circuit strictly for the tanks as added precaution.

 

I have this and have been using it for over a year.

 

I have a love/hate relationship with GFCIs. I see the importance, but can't get past the down points. Our 15 year old eel had his trip when we weren't around. Died.

The extension cord type ones tend to trip all the time.

 

Yeah i've heard the extension cord models are more finicky. I've also heard the more stable models are based at your breaker box.

 

I've had a shock buster for over 3 years and it's never inadvertently tripped.

This is the one I have:

 

+1

I have a similar model. It was relatively cheap as well. I would definitely get one. What is worse paying a small amount or potentially killing yourself.