Tank room electrical DIY: subpanel or no subpanel?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

My Dad was an electrician and he loved to do everything in 220. as I understand it you can end up using less power with 220 than 110 in some situations.

I would also vote big time for the sub panel. This would allow you to use GFCI breakers in place rather than outlets. This way you could pretty easily minimize what else gets shut down when one circut ground faults.

the power used will be the same but the amprage will be lower on the main run.

Tony here is my sugestion.. figure out how many outlets/circuts you want to have. say if you have 4 lights you want each one on a different circut as well as 4 pumps and 4 heaters for example.. that way if you have a problem with one you will never loose anything. after you get this figured out (remember no more than 12 amps to a circut preferably 10 ) add 3 or 4 more to it as future add ons.

Once you have this number, lets pretend it is 6, go to home depot and buy a 50 amp 220 pannel package with breakers (or go with a 100 amp if it is cheaper) then you can get a 50 amp GFI breaker for your main pannel and run one proper wire from the main to the sub. this also GFI protects your entire fish room.

Steve