HELP! PFO Ballast shocking tank

[onehundred20]

I have a thread going here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=9333063#post9333063

but basically if my mogul sockets are pluged into the ballast it is putting a charge into the tank which gave me a nice suprise this morning, nothing in the tank is affected though, I can feel it coming through the screws on the ballast also.

Earlier this week I noticed it coming throuigh the wood on the canopy, but only when the lights were off, now its doing it all the time if they are plugged into the ballast

 

[Fuzzy]

Wow - that's pretty weird -

Do you have a volt meter? That would help verify the ground and where the current is coming from?

If not I'd start with the obvious - look for any frayed wires/strands that could be coming in contact with anything. Then follow it back to the ballast check the same things there. Look around the ballast for any moisture that it be in contact with.
Then check that you have a good ground off the ballast.

If you don't see anything obvious - start probing for any points the current could be leaking into the tank - like a heater or pump or powerheads.

Also - is anything on a power strip? Those things are notorious for leaking juice...

Sorry I can't be more specific - this is one of those gotta see it to diagnose it problems....
Maybe post some pics??

Good Luck!

 

[onehundred20]

yes Im using 3 different strips, I soppose that could be the case, Im actually feeling a little current with the lights unplugged now

 

[tricky]

Fuzzy is right, get or borrow a voltmeter and find out where it is coming from! Don't use your body as a voltage detector around saltwater. If you can feel it, you can measure it much more accurately. Get a reading, start unplugging things until it goes away.
It is very possible to pick up stray induced voltages on metallic items that are just very near lighting equipment. I once had a metal reflector behind a couple pcs that was completely insulated, and I occasionally felt a small tingle when touching it with the wrist. I grounded it, problem solved.

 

[onehundred20]

thats exatcly what I what I was getting earlier this week, im beginning to think im crazy cause its not doing anything anymore and no livestock has been affected, but ill still test the voltage and get a gfi etc.

 

[onehundred20]

turns out I am crazy, I had some scratches on my hands from playing with our cat and apparently you can stick you hand in your tank with no rubber soles and a scratch on your hand you get a nice little shock...

the thread on reef discussion says there is a small current always in your tank from magnetics or something.