Viv electrical issues and eggcrate cutting

[zirk33]

Hello everyone.
I was wondering what you may be doing or have done about electrical issues with the amount of plugs/electricity needed for your viv. There are pumps, lights, foggers and misting systems as well as fans.

Also what are most people using to cut the eggcrate so that it doesn't break into pieces.

Thanks.

[viva la viv]

I got lucky and have 2 plugs close by on seperate breakers...You have to spread out the load if it is heavy. The owners of the house, or parents or whatever should be able to assist in finding out which plug-ins are on what breakers....Your right to ask though your wall socket could end up looking like the grizwalds at christmas. Although with a good power bar you can run a fair amount of small appliance off one breaker.
I gotta be honest the best thing i found for cutting eggcrete are "plier toe-nail clippers"
You know those pliers your grand pappa uses to cut his ingrowns LOL them things.

[Shrike]

dyke side cutters

[MartinM]

Unless there is something very unusual about your set-up, you will be using may devices with low current-draw, so the issue is not so likely to be overloading the circuit (thus blowing a fuse or tripping a breaker) but just having enough receptacles to plug into. Even so, a couple of six-outlet power-strips will probably cover you needs.

Most devices will somewhere list their wattage and or amperage, and you can add up the total load to know if you're within a safe range (most household lighting circuits are rated at 15 amps). Heaters are likely to be the heaviest load, followed by lighting, but if you use modern fixtures, even lighting doesn't add up to much.

Submersible pumps, which move all that heavy water around to run a filter or waterfall, are surprisingly efficient. A pump that can move 380 gallons per hour (depending on height of lift, but plenty for a decent-sized paludarium) draws only about 19 watts according to the manufacturer.

Hope this helps.

Martin

[jimmy62alan]

hi Martin,
could tell me something, I'm new to the reptiles and just planning my Vivarium setup. Could you tell me if it would be worth going into the 12vlt way of doing things and so using less power and less surge to the newby sockets, As you can tell I'm not a sparky and want advice before buying the units.
I'll be setting up 2 Vivariums 1 for the Grandsons Bearded dragon and a larger one for a young Iguana. All advice would be very welcome, cheers in advance.
ALAN

[Mink]

I'd use regular outlet power, it doesn't sound like either tank is permeant enough to mess with 12v