Am I Just Paranoid?

[madmom]

Hey fishwatcher;
You said the tanks were on different walls? When I did mine I checked which sockets were on which fuses/circuits so I wouldn't overload. Usually all that happens is you pop a fuse/circuit. I wouldn't worry unless you have all the tanks in one socket. I have mine hooked up to a computer surge protector and have had no problems so far. But if you worry have an electrician check your wiring to be sure.

 

[smmetz]

I would not worry. The filters are usually 5-10 watts each. The lights are usually only 15 watt floresent bulbs. The heaters for such tanks are no more than 100 watts - and they are only on part of the time. All together, that should not be using up more than 400 watts - and that is if all heaters are on at once. They probably typically use around 200 watts on average, with lights on.

If you are nervous about it, just dont plug in high wattage appliances in the same circuit - like a vacume cleaner or hair dryer. (both of which are usually 12 amps, or 1600+ watts)

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Your tanks are fine, the vibration in those floors is likely because of the hardwood panneling coming loose. If you can imagine it the hardwood pannelling is nailed down to the floor joists (with a thin piece of wood between them) and is sort of a covering to the joists. Basically, over time the hardwood flooring comes loose and wears thin but it also gets much more rustic looking and (in my oppinion) beautiful. When you walk along the floor it probably squeaks a bit too doesn't it? You don't need to worry until you get up to the 75 gallon range or so. And make sure you have drip loops on your electrical connections and you'll be fine there too.

SLC

 

[fishwatcher]

Thanks for all the help guys! I have each tank plugged into a surge protector. And they all are on a different wall. Only the 20-gal stuff shares the socket with our microwave, and it's never blown a fuse or anything. And there are major drip loops!
My floors do creak, you can tell where someone is in the house just by listening for the tell-tell noises the floors make.
Thank you for the advice! And for hopefully not thinking I'm completely out of my mind!

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

Don't worry- I think EXACTLY the same things always in the middle of the night. And we're on the bottom level of our apartment building! Hahaha, I'm not qualified to say if you ARE paranoid, but I know I'm paranoid! It's ok tho, being crazy makes the world more interesting.

 

[Torrean]

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article28.html

this might help.

I wouldn't worry too much. Oh and your house being old is actually a good thing. Well when it comes to the weight it is...the electricity is hard to say. I wouldn't worry about it too much really.

 

[SamUK]

i really woundnt worry about electrics either.


i dont reccomend this but i have 4 plugs in my room and from that im running...


*looks around*

6 filters, 5 heaters, 5 lights, dvd player, PC, TV, Sky, Amp, various lamps and a fan.

and thats all i can think of lol. theres phone chargers and stuff too.


hasnt gone bang yet. *touch wood*

 

[Miss Wiggle]

we got to the point we had 18 plugs running on extensions from 2 sockets Ian's putting us some new sockets in though so it won't be so bad.

 

[fishwatcher]

Well this certainly makes me feel better! I only at most 4 things plugged into 1 socket (except where my computer is... there's a monitor, comp, printer, speakers, camera dock and phone plugged into 2 surge protectors in 1 outlet!), so I feel fairly safe now. It's funny, during the day it doesn't concern me at all, only at night while my family is asleep. Go figure! But thanks for all the help!

 

[Mako Man111]

Well this certainly makes me feel better! I only at most 4 things plugged into 1 socket (except where my computer is... there's a monitor, comp, printer, speakers, camera dock and phone plugged into 2 surge protectors in 1 outlet!), so I feel fairly safe now. It's funny, during the day it doesn't concern me at all, only at night while my family is asleep. Go figure! But thanks for all the help!

Well, if this makes you feel any better, I've got a 105 gallon tank in my room. Its spans 3 joists and is against an exterior supporting wall. I just don't trust it because I have an oceanic tank and the damn thing is like 300 ibs empty, now fill with water probably over 1,000ibs. This is on a 48"x18" base. I also had a 20 gallon in my room that I justed moved to my cement floor basement. I probably will be moving my 105 gallon to the basement any day now. I'm just to paraniod to leave it here, so your not alone! lol. I just worry about it crashing through the floor while i'm gone. Or it just shearing off the joist without any warning. But 20 gals and 10 gals can't possible weigh any more than your refrigerator or furniture so I wounld't worry. But do what you feel is best.

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

Fishwatcher,

Everyone is on the right track here and advising you well. I am very familiar with both building and remodeling homes and so I can verify things for you.

First, let me say that OLDER houses are much more well built than new houses. Chances are that your house, being around 60 years old is made of 2 by 4s that are actually and literally two inches by four inches. Now days, to save trees, 2 X 4s are really only an inch and a half by three and a half inches. However, what is supporting your tanks are big old planks (you probrably can see them as the ceiling of your basement) and these are most likely the literal dimensions of the board. (meaning a 2 X 8s are really two inches by eight inches.) Keeping your tank against a wall is also the stronger points in your home, especially if you can identify a wall or joist support in your basement (those big metal pole type deals). More than likely, the floor is supported well near your kitchen because home builders realize you are going to put a fridge and heavy counter tops in this area. Speaking of a fridge, they could very well out weight any of your tanks.

I was not going to post to this section until I saw that you live in the US as I do not know much about homes in England or europe, although I spent three years in Germany. (Nice place by the way. Loved england too!) Your electrical system should be up to date in order to meet the building codes and regulations in your city, county and state. Your microwave is going to pull more energy in a short amount of time than your fish tanks could, even a saltwater lighting system would most likely be ok. In my house, which was built in the early 70's, I can plug my salt water tank's equipment as well as a 55 gallon freshwater tank's equipment into the same outlet (using both the plug in's, one for each) with no problem.

I wouldnt worry and everyone has said so, but just wanted to add to your confidence. I was for a long time a home builder and do alot of remodeling.