Rjohn Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 This morning when I got up the tank electricity was completely off. I tried resetting the GFI outlet but the reset button keeps popping out. I hooked the tank to another plug using an extension cord so it is back up and running. Question: can GFI outlets go bad? I am thinking of calling an electrician cause I know practically nothing about this and I am afraid I could not spot a problem if there was one. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nano Reefer Ky Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 (edited) I would replace the GFCI immediately with a regular outlet for the fish tank. Pumps or other equipment turning on, especially if they pull a lot of electricity, will trip the GFCI and leave your tank without power. Replace with a regular outlet and use the drip loop to prevent a short. To answer the question though, yes they can go bad over time. Edit: We know you do not have a short in a piece of equipment because you plugged everything into another outlet. This proves the GFCI is faulty. Edited September 11, 2014 by Nano Reefer Ky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 Thanks Nano. Your comments make me feel better about this process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nano Reefer Ky Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Great. I'm glad I could help. If you lived in town I would switch the outlet out for you, but hutto is quite the drive from my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 GFCI is replaced. All is well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltynick Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 As a electrician and glad you replaced it, also ad a outdoor cover of you can and make drip loop to reduce getting it wet. hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Yep, they go bad. I had the GFCI outlet running my return pumps go out when I was on vacation in Alaska Fortunately, I had good house-sitter and my tank was alive when I got home. (Extension cables to the rescue!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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