need suggestions!

[ryan_p]

Hello everyone,

I have been moving along at a comfortable pace to get my system up and going so I can avoid alot of common problems that tend to be made from rushing into this hobby. I think I might have hit a bit of a brick wall though. I'm hoping someone has a solution. For those unfamiliar with my equipment, I have a 46 G tank that I plan on making into a reef tank (still some things left to be purchased though). I am in a basement suite that I will only occupy for another 2 - 3 years because I am a student at BCIT. I want to do this right so I asked for an electrician to come give me a quote for installing 2 dedicated GFCI outlets. The tank is going to be set up in the same room as the circuit panel but on the opposite wall. The Electrician came a gave me a quote alright!!! $657!!! For 2 outlets. Being a student, I am not the richest guy, and I have budgeted for about $1500 not including livestock. This is an extra cost that was not budgeted for and not in my wildest dreams would I have thought 2 GFCI outlets would cost that much. I have put almost 2 months research into this hobby this summer and don't want to be stopped by this. Any suggestions? I guess I could place my tank right beside the panel and only ask for one to be installed and see if that cuts the cost down to around $100 - $150... I dunno. Will I be able to only use one dedicated GFCI outlet. I will have 2 PH's (maxijet 1200's), 1 200W heater, protein skimmer, and 2 light strips (192W) to plug in... I think thats it for what I have planned. I would like to have room on the circuit to plug a sump pump in when I have more money to incorporate a sump. I thought I could use a normal house circuit for the lighting strips as they won't be in direct contact with the water. Will that work? I wanted two because someone had said that they seperated their equipment in case of the GFI tripping so it wouldn't wipe out the tank. Sorry to make this so long, but I am frusterated and don't want to wait 3 years to have a reef tank when I've already invested time and money. Your comment, advice and suggestions are more than welcome.

Thanks