Now what!?!? -- in trouble

reefready · 01-06-2008, 11:32 PM

Hey guys...

Here's what I found when I got home from a weekend away...the GFCI plug had blown and the whole system shut down. I'm not really sure how it happened. Any ideas? I have a Rio1100 300gph pump, a protein skimmer, a 300W heater, the lights that came with the tank, and a power head. It is a 58 oceanic w a 125 wd. I just started the tank on 1/1 and it has been running since then. I didn't add the protein skimmer until about 1/3 -- but it has been on for several days with no problem.

I found that the power head came loose (again) and sprayed a the sand out of one corner, but everything else looked fine. The only change that I made recently before leaving was adding a timer to run the lights, but the power cut off at 9 AM (according to the timer) and it wasn't set to bring the lights on until 5 PM, so I don't think that was the cause. I'm not sure how long the water sat stagnant. The temp had only dropped about 6 degrees so I dont think it was Friday when we left (probably Sat or Sun). I don't have anything living in the tank yet...just about 60# of sand.

Not sure what I've done now, can you tell me what to do next? Any ideas on what caused it to blow? This might be stupid, but is there any concern about the water being stagnant for that long or cooling that low?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Loverotties · 01-07-2008, 12:20 AM

Reset GFCI and plug one thing at a time and see what mite have a short in it.Boy be glad that happen,instead of coming home and their was a burned down home.

tims · 01-07-2008, 05:43 AM

is everything on one circut?

whatevva · 01-07-2008, 06:11 AM

GFCI's don't trip from short circuits or overloaded circuits, they trip from a fault to ground. It's more for shock protection. George is right, reset the GFCI and carefully plug things in one at a time and see which device is causing it.

Bender 2 · 01-07-2008, 08:07 AM

I have had a GFCI plug go gad on me in the past. As the others said plug one thing in at a time. If the plug will not reset it will have to be replaced.

crvz · 01-07-2008, 08:27 AM

Rio pumps have a pretty crummy reputation for shorting out. It could be that.

DarthOcellaris · 01-07-2008, 09:22 AM

I agree with Chris...Rio pumps are not that trusty IMO.

Even if you plug one thing in at a time though, chances are that you might not find the problem right away. What caused the GFCI to trip may have been a one-time thing or might be a fault that happens after so many minutes...

Good luck

reefready · 01-07-2008, 01:12 PM

Thanks Guys.

I've got it running again, but cannot find the problem yet. Power company has been doing some work behind the house, so I'm going to blame it on them at this point.

Is my water chemistry all screwed up because it was without flow and below temp, or am I ok since there isn't really anything in there yet?

Thanks,

crvz · 01-07-2008, 01:23 PM

chemistry should be ok, but it's wise to tank some steps to oxygenate the water when the power is killed (I've got a couple of battery powered air pumps that come on when the power shuts off). other than temp, lack of O2 in the water is probably the biggest concern for a reef tank, as the demand can be pretty high. even just over a few hours, I've read reports of larger fish dying due to no tank circulation.

DarthOcellaris · 01-07-2008, 01:33 PM

I was thinking about the water in any pipes that might have been sitting still for too long too. How long did you estimate the power was off?

reefready · 01-07-2008, 01:51 PM

I'm not really sure. Worst case from Fri 9AM to Sun 11 PM...but my guess is Sat or Sun 9AM....

DarthOcellaris · 01-07-2008, 02:23 PM

hmmmm...that's a long time for water to be without o2 and to have sat still. You don't smell anything funky, do you?

Is the tank running right now? You don't have an odd odor like sulfur coming from the water do you?

I'd be the overcautious one and run carbon for a while just in case.