Safety First: The Drip Loop
It's almost inevitable that at least a small amount of water will splash or be spilled when working on an aquarium, and generally it's no cause for alarm.
place. Salt can be used.
10) Books: These days, knowledge is power. Well alright, maybe you won't become Prime Minister because you know everything about the fish hobby, but buying a good fish book would be invaluable to you.
11) Drip loop: ...
Don't Forget The Drip Loop!
Safety tips for electrical equipment around aquariums.
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Before plugging them back in make sure to add a drip loop to all power cords. A drip loop is basically a loop in your power cords that allows any water that may leak down them to safely drip down and not directly to the outlet.
Tidy all cables and ensure you create drip loops on the wires (leave a length of cable running down below the mains socket so that should condensation run down the cable it does not come into contact with the socket, see fig 1.).
Drip loop
A drip loop is an easy thing to create, but vital for the well being of your electrical aquarium accessories. Electricity and water do not mix well. It is extremely important to ensure that water cannot get into the electrical socket.
Maintain drip loops on all cords used for your aquarium to prevent electrocution and fire danger. To make a drip loop, make sure that every cord hangs straight down below your outlet and forms a 'U' before running back up to the plug.
The power cord is too short to form a drip loop so an extension cord is needed. A temperature controller may be required with a higher wattage system.
Electrical wiring leading to the ballast should always incorporate a drip loop.
Consider a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) power bar as an inexpensive insurance to avoid unpleasant circumstancessurrounding any potential electrical mishaps.
Install your heater, hook up your filter, protein skimmer and any other equipment you have and be sure to use a drip loop on all of the power cords. For more safety tips, read the aquarium electrical safety article. Don't plug in anything yet! ...
Not mounting plugs/power strips above water level and/or use 'drip loops'. I still see experienced reefkeepers do this from time to time.
Place your hood and light on the aquarium and then check your power cords to be sure that they are free of water. I would also recommend using a drip loop on all of the power cords to be extra cautious.
One good tip is to create a drip loop on all electrical cords to avoid the hazardous mixture of electricity and water.
Water follows the path of least resistance.
 See also: Fish, Aquarium, Water, Heater, Plants
  
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