How to add a switch to a power head?

[WhistlingBadger]

My Paludarium has so much current that I frequently have to unplug the pumps to feed (especially bacter AE and live/frozen foods, which get swept into the filter sponges before they can do any good), clean, and do maintenance and modifications. I tend to plug/unplug these pumps at least a couple times a week, and since my power strip is in the stand on the floor, it's annoying and inconvenient, and probably causing a lot of wear on my power strip.

I was thinking about hard-wiring switches into the power cables so I can simply shut the things off, but then I came across these switches that directly plug in. Something like this or this. I know they say not to daisy-chain power strips, because the added resistance can overload wiring, and of course the temptation is strong to plug in way too much stuff. Adding an in-line switch wouldn't cause that problem, would it? The wiring in our house is rather old, and I don't want to cause a fire hazard or be constantly running up the garage to reset the breaker. Would something like this be OK to use with a power strip?

Any ideas?
T

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Grounded-Switch-Efficient-25511/dp/B0113VTPSW?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&gQT=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Inline-Extension-3-Prong-Household-Switchable/dp/B09M85QY98/ref=asc_df_B09M85QY98?mcid=ca5bd932afb43d5a8eba96516e82bc72&hvocijid=5884382013728406213-B09M85QY98-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5884382013728406213&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029312&hvtargid=pla-2281435181018&psc=1

 

[MattW]

I have my air pump, light and internal filter on smart plugs. A push of a button and they turn off. I also have the air pump set to turn on and off at specific times of the day. They may cost more than what you linked but I think they are a worthwhile investment.

As for the inline switch, I have no idea about the do's and dont's of electrics

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I have my air pump, light and internal filter on smart plugs. A push of a button and they turn off. I also have the air pump set to turn on and off at specific times of the day. They may cost more than what you linked but I think they are a worthwhile investment.

As for the inline switch, I have no idea about the do's and dont's of electrics

Mrs. Badger just pointed out that we have a couple of smart plugs that work with Alexa. "Alexa, turn off the waterfall" would be fun...

 

[MaloK]

The easiest is to split things on multiple switched power bars.

I put heaters and power filter on one. Air pumps and light on the other.

This way I can stop water pumps and heater to do maintenance.

In a larger installation you may want to separate air pumps from lights too.

 

[Magnum Man]

I use these switch extension cords, for several small pumps, that I use on low to the floor tanks

Amazon.com

 

[FranciscoB]

I use the second type of switches shown by OP, with all my power filters. I use them to toggle off filters for feeding (about 10 minutes) them toggle them back on. In this manner, none or very little food is sucked by filters, maintaining them cleaner.

 

[TNG]

Getting Alexa to turn it on and off would be cool!

Either of your suggested switches will work. I wouldn't consider adding a switch as daisy chaining, there's a slight increase in resistance but it's miniscule anyway.

I use a power board with switches. The only thing I need to remember is not to plug a 2400W heater to the board as the total power consumption would then exceed the board's capacity (the rating is at bottom right corner of the picture).

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yep. I talked to my dad, who used to be an electrician. He said as long as the switch is rated for at least as many amps as the breaker, it's fine. Our Alexa plugs are only 15 amps, and our breakers are 20, so they'd burn out before the breaker would trip, which is what I believe is called "A bad thing." I'll just order the ones with the chords. Thanks for the input, everybody.