Building codes for aquarium in mechanical room

[Magma]

Dont know if this will help you but electrically here you go

http://www.shopcsa.ca/onlinestore/Ge...22&Parent=1949

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances - Safety - Part 2-55: Particular Requirements for Electrical Appliances for use with Aquariums and Garden Ponds

CSA Preface

This is the second edition of CAN/CSA-E60335-2-55, Household and similar*electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-55: Particular requirements for*electrical appliances for use with aquariums and garden ponds, which is*an adoption without modification of the identically titled CEI/IEC*(Commission Électrotechnique Internationale/International*Electrotechnical Commission) Standard 60335-2-55 (third edition,*2002-11). It supersedes the previous edition published in 1994 as*CAN/CSA-E335-2-55 (adopted CEI/IEC 335-2-53:1989).

1 Scope

This clause of Part 1 is replaced by the following.

This International Standard deals with the safety of electric appliances*for use with aquariums and garden ponds for household and similar*purposes, their rated voltage being not more
than 250 V.

NOTE 101 Examples of appliances within the scope of this standard are
- aerators;
- aquarium heaters;
- automatic food dispensers;
- sludge-suction appliances.

Appliances not intended for normal household use but that nevertheless*may be a source of danger to the public, such as appliances intended to*be used by laymen in shops and in light industry and farms, are within*the scope of this standard.

As far as is practicable, this standard deals with the common hazards*presented by appliances that are encountered by all persons in and*around the home. However, in general, it does not take into account
- the use of appliances by young children or infirm persons without*supervision;
- playing with the appliance by young children.

NOTE 102 Attention is drawn to the fact that
- for appliances intended to be used in vehicles or on board ships or*aircraft, additional requirements may be necessary;
- in many countries additional requirements are specified by the*national health authorities, the national authorities responsible for*the protection of labour and similar authorities.

NOTE 103 This standard does not apply to
- pumps (IEC 60335-2-41);
- other portable immersion heaters (IEC 60335-2-74);
- luminaires for aquariums and garden ponds (IEC 60598-2-18);
- appliances intended for outdoor use having a rated power input*exceeding 100 W;
- appliances intended exclusively for professional use;
- appliances intended to be used in locations where special conditions*prevail, such as the presence of a corrosive or explosive atmosphere*(dust, vapour or gas).

Might want to look into that just to be safe?

Its from the Canadian Electrical Code Part II. Thats just the preface to give you an idea what that section covers.

[puffer]

Nice size tank!!!

We have a 300gal tank with an opening from the mechanical room when we built our house. Here's a couple of things I did when I planned it that you might want to consider.

1) Have separate circuits with breakers and GFI's for your lights vs your pumps. This way if you ever have a problem your entire system won't go down. With such a large system I would consider putting two circuits just for your pumps in case you have a problem with one you still have circulation with the other circuit.
2) Have a separate drain at the bottom of the tank with a cement border around the tank. My entire tank and stand sits on top of a pond liner for additional protection.
3) I had a hole drilled into my sump with a valve that drains directly into the drain that allows me to release water quickly when I do a water change.
4) Have a plastic garbage can to hold reverse osmosis water for automatic topping up. Used for the water change as well.
5) I have a waterbug (water sensor) as well as a temperature sensor in the furnace room that is attached to my alarm system in case anything goes wrong
6) Physically shield your wall outlets and power bars from water accidentally dropping on them. Try to place them on the sides of your tank instead of below your tank in case the tank breaks or leaks.

We never had any issues with any of the inspectors and they knew it was roughed in for a tank. I think you just have a make sure that the electrical meets basic code. If there are too many things plugged in that's what the breakers are for. i agree with the discussion regarding insurance and doing any electrical after the fact ie. do all the electrical at the building stage and have it approved properly by the inspector.

Good luck with the tank!

Puffer
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