Don't burn your house down!

m.miller1547

m.miller1547

Active member
Hang your powerstrips! I woke up this morning to a burning smell. Found my 12 plug powerstrip smoking its *** off. After some inspection it seemed to have gotten wet after I change media in my canister last night. I have everthing hanging but this. The most important part. $50 down drain and my place smells terrible.
 
I've had that issue before. It's pretty scary when you smell smoke and don't know where it's coming from. I made my wife and daughter get out of the house while I ran around with a fire extinguisher.
 
I was freaking out cause it was heavy in air. Alarm was going off. I unplugged computer, entertainment center, lamps, microwave then I inspected my tank. At fist glance I didn't notice. Then I got all the way down. I could hear it cooking. If this would have happen any later in afternoon or late night Idk what would be left here. For Nemos sake I have the replacement strip hung high.
 
dang, shouldn't that have tripped a breaker or blown a fuse either in the strip on at your main box? My sisters house burned to the ground in 2004 and that stuff freakes me out. They never fully figured out what started it, but the fire started in the basement right in the area they kept their cat fountain and they said those could burn when they run dry. (RIP kitties). I'm happy that wasn't worse for you Matt.
 
I was thinking the same. My tank was still running fine. I'm very upset I payed $50 for a nicer powerstrip and it didn't do its job. Protect from overload or spikes in load. I had such an adrenaline rush.
 
Yes they should replace. I had some from I forgot who and they got fried in a thunderstorm. Called them gave me an address of where to send them and thy asked if I wanted money or some new ones I asked for new ones and they sent me better higher model ones and I was happy :-)


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Just finished up with claims department. They are going to replace it. They no longer make the one I have so I'm getting a better one. Really quick and easy claims department.
 
The salt water in small amounts creates a very mild short that doesn't draw enough current to trip a breaker but hot enough to boil water and melt plastic.

Circuit breaker's only job is to protect the wiring in the house.

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You need to have your tanks plugged into a GFCI circuit!!! See how important it is. The GFCI would of popped protecting you!
 
poidog said:
You need to have your tanks plugged into a GFCI circuit!!! See how important it is. The GFCI would of popped protecting you!
Click to expand...

+1. U just need multiple ones. Sometimes pumps or lights turning on triggers them, so u want to split your equipments between different GFCI's so all the equipments don't turn off all at once (just in case you're not home). This device definitely will save your life and house
 
poidog said:
You need to have your tanks plugged into a GFCI circuit!!! See how important it is. The GFCI would of popped protecting you!
Click to expand...

Agreed! I'm moving soon. The new place will have a GFCI. I've installed a couple hot tubs and pools. I definitly understand its importance. For now, mounting it up high is best solution.
 
You know you can just take an outlet out and replace it with the GFCI, and then replace the outlet when you move and take the GFCI with you! No excuse! ;)
 
You can just buy the ones that plug right into the standard outlet and convert it into a gfci as well. They typically cost less that the actual receptacle and no electrical experience required.
 
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