Grounding Probe in your tank - Is it important?

[KMS.Kyle]

Hello,
read some websites about people saying that grounding probes were really important and well, I don't have one and was wondering how important it is and how much of an immediate risk I would be in if I didn't get one right away?

I have a 55 gallon tank, 1 internal skimmer - 3 internal powerheads and I always worry a little... . (New to the hobby)

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I don't have one either as I am pretty sure most others don't as well. What do they say the purpose is? Every electrical device you use in your tank is grounded through your house wiring. That is what the little round post is for on three prong plugs.

 

[ScienceRulez]

Personally I would be more concerned that the tank be GFCI protected.

 

[heathlindner25]

it's almost like a bird sitting on an electrical wire, he never feels it unless he puts one foot on the ground.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Personally I would be more concerned that the tank be GFCI protected.

If GFCI isn't available for the tank a regular power strip/surge protector does basically the same thing. You should be using one on any and all electronic devices in your home of value. Computers, printers, TV and entertainment, stereo's and yes our tanks.

 

[gone fishin]

I am by no means an electrician. Grounding probe/rod is one of those things that folks either have and swear by or do not. I do not have one and never have had one. I have been shocked once by what turned out to be a faulty skimmer pump. I have since had some electrical work done. Dedicated circuits put in for the fish room and GFI outlets installed.

If your concerned have an electrician come over and inspect what you have. If nothing else it will give you some peace of mind, which is priceless.

 

[KMS.Kyle]

Http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-344189.html

This was the post I saw

Thanks guys

 

[gone fishin]

2004 as you can see it has been debated for awhile.

 

[AZRippster]

Don't use them, they are the Devil's work!

 

[Fish Keeper82]

Ground probe would help with faulty equipment that is two prong and feed from gfci source.

Example : a powerhead is usually 2 prong without a ground connection. If this pump insulation fails and leaks current thru your water it will never trip a gfci if there is no ground reference. This will cycle current thru your tank and its habbitants until a ground reference is found( which will most likely be you when you stick your hand in the water and are grounded yourself and hopefully trip a gfci which is why gfci are so important )

That said its usually a problem you dont "see" which is why you dont hear too many people having these ground probes in their tanks. If we had them at the first sighn of bad insulation it would trip the gfci when about 5 milliamps of leakege current was detected by the gfci circuit. And that could get anoying in the form of gfci trips with an intermittent equipment problem thats hard to trace down. No one likes to come home to tank thats not running due to a tripped gfci for " no apperant reason".

 

[Fish Keeper82]

If GFCI isn't available for the tank a regular power strip/surge protector does basically the same thing. You should be using one on any and all electronic devices in your home of value. Computers, printers, TV and entertainment, stereo's and yes our tanks.

Dangerous bad advice

A "regular" power strip/ surge protector is in no way the same as a GFCI. These "regular " power strips have a circuit breaker for equipment overload protection and do not have a GFCI circuit for human shock protection.
Tanks should have GFCI protection either from the breaker or the receptacle. There are some power strips with GFCI protection but these are not the "regular" ones. These GFCI strips will be clearly labeled and much more expensive.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I've always been under the impression that they were one in the same. Thank you for clearing that up.