koralia 4

kiran it was on here--2 k4's for 35 each.

can anyone recommend a specific grounding probe? can they only be used with a gfci? (we can't change the outlets since i'm at work...i dont know what my alternative would be...)
 
This one is easier to use in my opinion:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209659/product.web

I don't like the kind that connects the probe to the grounding circuit with a ring tongue terminal. I like the one with a plug that has two flat plastic blades and a metal grounding pin like the one in the link above.

No need to plug in the grounding probe to GFI. It does not conduct electricity from the outlet. It allows the stray current in your tank to run to ground through your wall outlet via the ring tongue terminal or the plug with a grounding pin.

Tomoko
 
The idea is the ground probe makes a better ground then you. You know how you always here electricty follows the path of less resistance. Your just making sure thats not you lol.

A GFCI on the other hand just trips if it detects current on the ground. Thats why they call them Ground Fault Circuit interrupters. With out a GFCI its very easy for a power strip or any other peice of equipment to catch fire. A breaker won't trip just cause you have a short.. Infact you can have a powerstrip on fire and shooting sparks.. As long as its not pulling more then what the breaker is rated for it wont trip.. on the other hand a GFCI will trip instantly. They also are suppose to trip before a fatal shock is given, IE if you drop your radio in the tub. You will get shocked, but you should live.. With out the GFCI your pretty much sitting on old sparky..

keep in mind some GFCI/ballasts dont get along.. I think its a good idea to have two circuits or in this case two differen't GFCI external plugs.. Have your lights and maybe your heater on one and your pump on another.. If you have more then one pump split them up on the Two GFCI's. That way if one trips you still have water circulation.. Most people that don't use GFCI's cause they are scared they will trip for no reason and kill the tank.. BTW dont plug the second GFCI into the first :rolleye1: would kind of defeat the purpose.

Will
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10558172#post10558172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H@rry
Would a grounding probe work just as well in the sump as in the tank?
Click to expand...

Yes/No. If the bad powerhead is in the tank and not the sump then you still could have problems. The current "might" follow the water down the drain to the probe, but I wouldn't count on it. IMO I'd place it in the tank or in the overflow. 95% of the time you will have your hand in the tank not the sump, so to me that would be where the risk of shock is. If you wanted to be super safe you would have one in each and also have GFCI. I'm sure thats how we all have our tanks :lolspin:

BTW I almost forgot to mention this.. For those of you that have titanium heaters. Most of them also act as ground probes. If you have a metal heater with a 3 prong plug then it will serve as a ground probe..

Will
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10558317#post10558317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8BALL_99
If you have a metal heater with a 3 prong plug then it will serve as a ground probe..

Will
Click to expand...

Is your heater in your tank or sump?
 
Mine is in the sump along with all my Equipment.. I dont have any power heads in the main displays. But I don't think my heaters really help on my system.. They are plugged into my controller that turns the outlet off when the temp is say 78+. I'm not sure if the common is still connected or not. Even if they did my frag tanks on the other hand have 2 Power heads in each of them and no Ground probe ;) Never said I was super safe haha. But I do have GFCI's on everything.. My Equipment room has 3 circuits all of them have GFCI outlets protecting them. I think a Ground probe is good for picking up some stray current, But If its enough to hurt you it should Trip the GFCI. To be safe you really should have Ground probe in both and have them plugged into a GFCI outlet.. This would give you the best protection..

I've been shocked a few 100 times in my life "thats whats wrong with me" so I dont' worry with it as much as I should.. To tell you the truth last time John had a stray current I took my shoe off touched the wet floor and stuck my finger in the tank. Then went around pulling one plug at a time till it didnt' shock me anymore :eek: Don't do this BTW..

Say your working on your tank and your light falls in the water. With no GFCI and even with a ground probe you probably will die. With a GFCI you get a shock and should live.. When you put it in perspective its a easy choice. You want to be safe use both. If you only use one get a GFCI. They both do different things so one doesn't replace the need for the other..
 
That same stray current at John's (125) got me good and I was not in a water puddle nor did I have my hand in the tank. I asked John to turn off the power to the powerstrip (which was covered with a bad salt creep), but he said that he would ask you to fix it for him. So you got the job, haha.

Tomoko
 
Well if I'd known ahead of time I'd brought my Voltmeter haha
Salt water and even Salt creep are both Great conductors of Electricty.. It really is very easy to get shocked when you have salt on everthing! Everyone should keep this in mind when they mount their powerstrips above their sumps ;) At johns there is just water and salt EVERYwhere so its hard to keep them apart sometimes haha
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10546772#post10546772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nitroq2
Tim,
I am sure there are many that are not doing this but you might want to look it up this seems to be an issue with several people.
Click to expand...

There was a mfg. product recall many months ago on two of the sizes. I had a leaky one but Johnny replaced it for me.

Goose
 
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