Grounding probe

[FishyMel]

I've read mixed reviews on grounding probes on whether or not to get them. I've read that every tank has votage in it but voltage does not harm fish or sharks it is current that harms them. Once you add a probe you will be getting current not voltage. But I've also heard ground probes are a must.

What do you guys think as far as ground probes are they necessary? I do have GFI.

 

[StayPuft]

I don't know where you read that but stray voltage, high enough can kill your fish and even at lower levels it can stress them out. Grounding probes are a must in my opinion.

 

[reefergeorge]

How could voltage kill your fish? They won't feel any voltage, but when you add the Gp they can feel the current going through your tank.
A GP is more of a safety thing for you. This is my favorite article about them.
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquarium/GroundingProbes.html

I will never have one in my tank. GFCIs are enough IMO.

 

[StayPuft]

Fish have a sensory organ called the lateral line complex. With this organ the fish can detect pressure changes in the immediate vicinity, from the movement of currents or from other fish. It is also used for navigation, finding food and avoiding predators. In most fish this lateral line complex can also detect or sense electrical charges in the water. If you have any stray voltage in the water it can overwhelm this organ, much like living in a deafening noise environment. This will cause stress, and among other things, suppress the immune system making your fish more venerable to natural bacteria and parasites which occur in every tank.

More here: http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/996/996_5.html

 

[reefergeorge]

I don't want to start another gp or not.
Stray Voltage and Ground Probes:

Of all the theories regarding MHLLE, this is the one that I have the most trouble believing, and, after subsequent readings by David Kessner, it would appear my gut impression turns out to be correct. The phenomenon that we aquarists refer to as stray voltage is actually capacitive coupling; the so-called cure of using a grounding probe actually causes the effect to occur. The abbreviated description of this occurrence is that any electrical device in an aquarium, be that of a heater, pump, etc., acts as a resistor. These are sealed in plastic, glass, or some other nonconductive material, in electrical terms - an insulator. Once the aquarist places a ground probe in the water, another resistor is created by completing the circuit and turning the water into a second resistor. Two resistors separated by an insulator is capacitive coupling and this allows electrons to flow out of the tank through the ground probe. The point being, without the ground probe, the circuit is not completed and no charges flow. Hence, the "cure" for stray voltage and its impact on MHLLE by the use of a ground probe is what causes the stray voltage in the first place. Without the ground probe, there is no stray voltage.

 

[reefergeorge]

And another good read.
http://article.dphnet.com/cat-02/strayvoltages.shtml

 

[StayPuft]

This is from WetWebMedia:

This does make some good points. The part that I don’t agree with is the amount of current they seem to think will be flowing through the ground and the fish. While the induced voltage can build up to a pretty high level in the tank, this is over time, and once grounded the amount of current flowing to keep it grounded constantly will be negligible, unless there is an actual problem with electrical components not being properly insulated. The argument for the probe is that the infinitesimal amount of current that would flow to the ground is not harmful, while to sensitive species, the high potential voltage that builds up in an ungrounded tank can be. I think of it as background noise, which does not bother some people, and drives others batty.

Anyway, not trying to argue with you. Because if anyone does a search for stray voltage, there are tons of articles both way. So I guess best advise I can give someone thinking of a ground probe... do some research on the subject and then decide.

 

[reefergeorge]

I agree. You could go on forever back and forth. I'm sure we both agree to use GFCIs, and to remove any malfunctioning equipment that may be giving off excessive voltage. Other than that do the research, and choose what works for you.

 

[LisaD]

What is the best way to wire in a GFCI? I thought they'd be simple, like a version of a computer surge protector/battery back-up, just plug and play. Is there anything like that, or do they all have to look like this?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=123887-296-QOE250GFINM&lpage=none

 

[reefergeorge]

I use the gfci receptacles.
I have 2 in my setup with two more normal receptacles down stream from each of them. If you daisy chain them, then all the receptacle coming off the first gfci are also protected.
If you are not comfortable replacing an outlet it would be better to have a diy friend or an electrician do it for you.
Here is what they look like.
http://www.ingramshoppingcart.com/GFCI_15_Amp_Safety_Outlet_w_LED_Indicator_p/eh-04.htm

 

[StayPuft]

How about the ones you just plug into your regular outlet? Like these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18026 Are these good?

 

[reefergeorge]

It apears to have all the same specifications as a wall gfci. With the bonus of an auto reset, wich if you have a nuissance trip could save a tank.
I would like to hear what others think. Maybe you could post it in the equiptment forum to see if there are any downfalls.

 

[StayPuft]

The reason I ask is because I've been using those for the past year or so and they did work one time. A few months ago I came home and all pumps, powerheads, lights, heaters were off on the tank. So I looked around and saw the GFCI outlet was tripped. I was using the big white one in that link. Turns out when I cleaned my tank, I didn't tighten one of my connections on the PVC return pipe and it dripped on the GFCI and tripped it. There was a little black burn mark on it, where the water got in. But luckily it tripped and shut off everything.

I heard they aren't as good as a true GFCI outlet though.

 

[TickleMyElmo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13127041#post13127041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by StayPuft
How about the ones you just plug into your regular outlet? Like these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18026 Are these good?

That was the one I had when my tank leaked 125 gallons of water directly onto a spider outlet stemming from it. It worked amazingly well and surely prevented my house from burning down.

Details are in my thread just a few topics down....