Today is my second birthday! thanks to a GFCI receptacle...

[-madmax-]

ok, first let me tell you one thing:

I HATE RIO PUMPS !!!!

today, or better 20 minutes ago i looked at my nice tank to see that my submerged rio pump did not work. well i wasn't sure if it output was finally that small or it was dead. so i made the first mistake i did not unplug the pump. the second mistake was that i cleaned my hands took that "metal" step-ladder...got up there and reached into my tank...

so far so good...then i started to move that !%$ rio pump and BOOMM!!!

all light of (my tank lights) all pumps off!

i took the pump out and wondered what happened... when i finally looked @ my GFCI i knew... $10 bucks saved my live. i guess with my hole arm in that tank and no ground wire (old house) and no one around without the GFCI receptacle i would be dead by now!

so, please if you don't have one installed, just go and get one.
its dead simple to install (but first trip the breaker) and its just $10 bucks.

thinking of how much money you spent for this hobby this shouldn't be a problem!!!

last word goes to the "great people" @ RIO...thanks for this "fun"

and to LEVITON (manufacturer of the GFCI) for saving my life...

 

[Anonymous]

One would have to be a fool not to have GFCI protection. It is inevitable that something will eventually fail and pose a serious threat to the aquarist.

Glad your still around to share your story! :wink:

Louey

 

[reefland]

Glad to see you're still with us. GFCI is a must have for everyone. I would just recommend they use two or three GFCI so not everything goes dead at one time.

It's also real easy to make something like this portable GFCI instead of powerstrips.

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Whats the difference between GFCI and GFI? All the outlets in my house are GFI.

 

[Syris]

I second that motion "RIOs suck"

My Rio 1400 on my Remore Pro skimmer took me 2 hrs to get back started again. Why? Because I happen to be testing my GFCI (which all work) but my damn Rio wouldn't kick back on when I was done.
What worse is this Rio is my second one in 1.5 years.
Time to switch it to a MAG 3

Don't forget to test GFCIs regulary. Don't assume they work just because there installed.

 

[reefland]

I think they are different terms for the same thing.

 

[ArizonaPimp]

I just have to reiterate the importance of a GFCI. As a physician, i am acutely aware of just how little stray current it takes to cause a dysrhythmia (translate=heart stoppage). I am impressed that you didn't even feel the amount of current that tripped the GFCI, especially considering that you were arm deep in an electrolyte solution. These devices are now standard code in all new houses in areas within 3 feet of water, FOR A GOOD REASON! Please, I urge all reefers out there to get/install one of these devices near your tank, it will be the best $15 bucks you ever spend. Also , if you are able to rig a reef tank then installation should be no problem. Sorry to sound like your mom, but i see senseless deaths every damn day................


-Harley

 

[danmhippo]

I think:
GFI = Ground Fault Interrupt
GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt.

Same thing.

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

So I don't need one of those portable units if my entire house is GFI?

 

[Anonymous]

So I don't need one of those portable units if my entire house is GFI?

If your main circuit breaker (say 200amp or even larger) is a GFCI type breaker, then you would not need the portable device. I have never seen a GFI main on a residential service. (I am an electrician)

Did you make this change to your house's service?

Louey

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Louey the house was built by my father and my brother recently. We moved in this Easter. They are builders. There's a 400 AMP service in my house. The electrical room is quite a sight.