Bad Shock, O0ouch!

[bugs713]

The pump on my Reef Octopus NWB110 skimmer stopped yesterday;
I removed the skimmer from the sump tonight, no easy task as it just barely fits - in one way, out one way. Anyway, cleaned up the pump, looked to be in great shape, no swelling etc. Plugged it in, worked as it should out of the water. Got the skimmer back into the sump, plugged it in and was adjusting the vibration pad and got the electrical SHOCK of my life!!

It took me a good 3 seconds to get my hand/arm out of the water due to the angle and bend of my arm. I have red streaks going up my arm and still feel the tingle...

This could have been bad!! This pump was also on a GFCI strip with my LED drivers, but did not trip. I tested the GFCI after and it works the way it should when you push the test button. Not sure if a grounding rod would have helped or made this worse.

Regardless, valuable lesson learned, make sure you can remove yourself from the water fast and don't be in a physical position that can prevent you from doing this! Next time I need to service this sump in this manor, I will have all power shut down to the entire tank!

I have not had a shock like this since I was a 12 yrs old at the drive in movies (Glendale 7) and was holding the speaker cord with my feet on wet ground when lightning hit in the field next door.

Just another good reminder of the dangers of electricity and water!!

I cut off the cord of this pump (OTP-1000) and threw it away. Ordered a new replacement from Aquarium Specialty.

Dammit!
:uzi:

 

[lostmyz]

i got shocked by my tank a lot when i first set it up and my culprit was my RO NWB 110 too!!!! damn pump swelled!

 

[Dangerwill]

Thats so scary, curious if that hurts the fish too? Probably not since they arent grounded. Either way im buying that grounding plug i keep saying im going to get

 

[Bigred]

Been there, I got shocked from a Mag 5 that blew a breaker. I was in my fish room on concrete barefoot(SMART). Flipped the breaker back on and that was the only thing not working so reached in the take it out and you know the rest. LOL

 

[tcamos]

This could have been bad!!

Dude, it could have been worse but it WAS bad! I'm glad you're okay.

 

[dotcommer]

not sure if the titanium grounding probes would of helped. I purchased some a few months ago and installed them in my tanks.

 

[bugs713]

Dude, it could have been worse but it WAS bad! I'm glad you're okay.

Thanks!
* * *

I've read using groundings rods with GFCI can kill you??

For me, even after this, I will only use GFCI on skimmers and heaters, so if they trip and I don't notice for several hours, no loss will occur. Everything I have read on grounding rods/probes, I decided long ago no to use them. There are huge discussions on this form regarding this if anyone wants to research and come to their own conclusion.

Red, don't feel too bad, back in the FW days, I dropped a light fixture in a tank and immediately reached in to get it BEFORE unplugging it.... :facepalm:

 

[Stolireef]

I know your pain. I'm not sure which hurts more. An electrical shock or burning my arm on a hot halide bulb. I actually did both at the same time once. My kids learned a some new words that day.