How many people use grounding probes?. I have a small cut on my finger and when I stuck my hand in my sump I feel a tingle of electricity. I wondering if this is what screwed up my ph probe and is giving difficult with my alk.Anybody know if there is anything to electricity and alkalininty?
Grounding probes?
- Thread starter Reefist
- Start date
MIKE NY
Two Decade club
Started using one a few years ago after a few corals bleached out and got shocked a few times from faulty pumps. There was a thread on stray voltage and bleaching in the SPS forum. Besides the normal things that caused bleaching we all had one thing in common...stray voltage..it seemed to mostly effect montis, but all the fish seemed fine....as far as the probe...maybe....stray electricity isn't good..
chemisfun11
New member
I use a grounding probe, but you'd feel the electricity without that small cut. If you have any zoanthids or palys that cut could be reacting to the toxins they release.
I'm pretty sure stray electricity will not impact your alkalinity. I'd get a grounding probe just to be safe. They only cost like $8 - $15
I'm pretty sure stray electricity will not impact your alkalinity. I'd get a grounding probe just to be safe. They only cost like $8 - $15
ive read that a grounding probe can be bad if you dont have stray voltage in the tank. if i was you, i would check all your equipment first and try and replace the faulty piece of equipment or get it fixed. IME, its usually heaters that cause stray voltage, check them first and replace if necessary.
IMO a grounding probe is not needed and can actually be dangerous.There is alot of controversy on this subject.
Stray voltage is not the problem which will be present due to induction from pumps and other equipment,its stray current that is definately a problem.
If all you have for safety is a ground probe and you have a DEFECTIVE piece of eqiupment leaking current,You may not even know about it.A GFCI senses any inbalance of current and trips taking you out of the circuit.
A GFCI alone is your safest bet.
Like I said an area of controversy.You can find alot of info in the DIY area of Reef Central.hth
Stray voltage is not the problem which will be present due to induction from pumps and other equipment,its stray current that is definately a problem.
If all you have for safety is a ground probe and you have a DEFECTIVE piece of eqiupment leaking current,You may not even know about it.A GFCI senses any inbalance of current and trips taking you out of the circuit.
A GFCI alone is your safest bet.
Like I said an area of controversy.You can find alot of info in the DIY area of Reef Central.hth
GROSSR
Active member
The salt is stinging your cut. I didn't know I had the cut and started taking everything out of the tank, until I realized, I cut my finger. Here is the test, try the other hand, if you still feel the sting you have something leaking.
Would a GFCI do the trick? I know a reefer in Jersey who broke his heater and put his hand in the tank and it threw him across the room, his words not mine. He put a GFCI on and tested it and the GFCI tripped, or is that an extreme case?
rich
Would a GFCI do the trick? I know a reefer in Jersey who broke his heater and put his hand in the tank and it threw him across the room, his words not mine. He put a GFCI on and tested it and the GFCI tripped, or is that an extreme case?
rich
Im not infavor of a GFI anyway but it is my SEIO pump. Peice of junk. I have 2 of them and they never start after a power interuption and they both leak electricty. Ill be replacing it with a remote pump and plumbing.As soon as I unplug it my ph changes so it probably ruined my probe.
Thanks
Thanks
dougwilliams
New member
I strongly support grounding. I have no idea what it does for the livestock in your tank, but it could easily save your life... so that pretty much sums up my position.
I'm also for GFCI's.
But - most importantly- you shouldnt have stray voltage in your tank to begin with. If you do you have some faulty equipment and you need to find it and toss it.
I'm also for GFCI's.
But - most importantly- you shouldnt have stray voltage in your tank to begin with. If you do you have some faulty equipment and you need to find it and toss it.
The reason the stray voltage had an effect on the ph probe is that the probes use the "electrical potential" of the water to get its reading. The different characteristics in the water will affect its electrical potential, giving different readings. Stray voltage could ruin a probe.
This is a very basic explanation of how it works, I'm sure some engineer could elaborate.
Bill
Anyone who has a tank and does not make use of a GFCI protected circuit is taking chances with their live and the lives of others.....
GFCI are designed to prevent live threatening shocks and they work !!! USE THEM....ALSo they just may save your livestock also in the event of a small leakage of current in the water....
IMHO grounding probes should only be used IF the circuit they are plugged into actually has a ground wire attached from the service box OR a separate grounding location as instructed by the National Electrical Code.
GFCI conversely are safe to use in ungrounded circuits.....
GFCI are designed to prevent live threatening shocks and they work !!! USE THEM....ALSo they just may save your livestock also in the event of a small leakage of current in the water....
IMHO grounding probes should only be used IF the circuit they are plugged into actually has a ground wire attached from the service box OR a separate grounding location as instructed by the National Electrical Code.
GFCI conversely are safe to use in ungrounded circuits.....
Similar threads
