Use 220, 220 needs one extra wire. Wire is relatively cheap. As stated before, 220 pulls half the current of 110. Which results in less line loss (loss of power in the wiring to the equipment). Buy four wires to run from your existing power box and run two hots, (it takes two for 220) one neutral and a ground. Or, buy three wires, two hots and a neutral, and buy a grounding rod and drive it into the ground for a local grounding spot which saves a wire. A five foot rod should be adequate so near water. The wet dirt provides good contact. The ground is just for safety and should never have current. It won't hurt your fish.

The bigger wire you run, the better, within reason. Bigger wire has less resistance, and can handle more current.

Then go buy a small breaker box. Buy the number of 220 and 110 volt breakers that you need and have somebody who knows electricity help you hook it up. Install a receptacle right beside it. You can never have enough receptacles. You may want to wire your pumps direct to the breaker box (no plug in). Saves the cost of a plug in. Or you may want to install a timer to turn it off at night.

In buying wire, use wire that is bigger than you need. In other words, if you calculate that your pump, lights, etc will pull a total of 30 amps, install wire good for at least 50 or so amps. It is better because it reduces line loss due to bigger wire having less resistance.

For buried cable:
6 gauge wire can handle 55 amps.
4 gauge wire can handle 70 amps.
3 gauge wire can handle 85 amps.

Also as temperature drops, wire can handle less amperage. So since you live in Canada... just use bigger wire. You will find the cost increase is about 30 to 50 dollars per size increase for a 500 foot spool, which is all you need.

Lots of options.


Nick Smith