How much stray voltage is to much

[xxxduke62xxx]

Noticing slow growth and a few die offs and noticed I had small amounts of voltage in the tank. It was 1.2 to .08 without ground probe in and with the ground probe attached to my boiler i was getting a reverse effect of 40.0 mv. I since moved the ground probe to a better ground to which it reads 0. Now with a .08 to 1.2 can that kill off corals. The tips were dying off

 

[xxxduke62xxx]

No one?

 

[xxxduke62xxx]

Almost 24hrs and no one has a idea. I know 0 is optimal but at what mv is it dangerous for SPS

 

[Sparkpaul]

I have some stray voltage too and my sps grows quite well.

 

[barnett8]

That seems a bit awkward to measure because the levels will change based on how far from the source you measure. I don't know about in aquaria, but in the ocean a small amount of stray voltage is beneficial to coral accretion. I have had stray voltage on and off in my aquariums over the years (of levels anywhere from a little tingle, to painful to put your hand in) and have never noticed ill effects on corals.

One thing to keep in mind is that voltage can only flow when it is grounded, so it is better not to ground your tank than to ground it.

 

[Throttle]

Stray voltage I thought meant an electrical component us malfunctioning. I would try to isolate what it might be and replace it so that it doesn't do serious damage one day

 

[KritikaL]

How did you measure for stray voltage?

 

[fishguy597]

Take a volt meter and put one end of the probe in the water and the other end to ground. see what it reads. if there is some voltage it can get worse. isolate components until voltage is gone.

put in a gfi. do not use the plug in extension cord. I've been bitten before and its not fun.

 

[small_polyp]

i always use a ground probe that plus into a regular outlet...never had any issues

 

[dvanacker]

This is a complicated issue, cause electricity can be complicated.

Birds sit on wires with voltages into the hundreds of thousands and do not get hurt, think about that.

Some voltage is to be expected. Voltage can surely be introduced through induction from all the pumps and gear we put in the water. How ever you should be more concerned with current though the tank than voltage, being that current is the actual flow of electricity.

Anyway I wouldnt worry to much, some stray voltage is to be expected and I dont think your levels are high and you should be fine. If you do read voltages near 12v dc or 120v AC than you have shorting equipment, which is a serious problem.

 

[fishguy597]

This is a complicated issue, cause electricity can be complicated.

Birds sit on wires with voltages into the hundreds of thousands and do not get hurt, think about that.

Some voltage is to be expected. Voltage can surely be introduced through induction from all the pumps and gear we put in the water. How ever you should be more concerned with current though the tank than voltage, being that current is the actual flow of electricity.

Anyway I wouldnt worry to much, some stray voltage is to be expected and I dont think your levels are high and you should be fine. If you do read voltages near 12v dc or 120v AC than you have shorting equipment, which is a serious problem.

Yes I agree with you about the current is what gets you. And as long as you don't become the ground you are fine. but I have had as little as 24v get my attention and have had as much as 60v. These voltages started out small and got eworse as time went on. I just had it happen recently with a few powerheads . I thought after I replaced them I had 0v. now you want me check it again lol. but you are right that 1v it shouldn't be an issue. just something to keep in mind is all.

 

[dvanacker]

Yes I agree with you about the current is what gets you. And as long as you don't become the ground you are fine. but I have had as little as 24v get my attention and have had as much as 60v. These voltages started out small and got eworse as time went on. I just had it happen recently with a few powerheads . I thought after I replaced them I had 0v. now you want me check it again lol. but you are right that 1v it shouldn't be an issue. just something to keep in mind is all.

Ya 24v can get your attention, its a good indicator that a peice of equipment is shorting. A lot of powerheads are 24vdc and run current/wattage that can certainly cause problems/ be dangerous.

 

[xxxduke62xxx]

Thanks guys. My quest for my problem continues.