Random shocks when I touch the water. Help!

[Fishmaster13]

Earlier today I purchased a couple new additions including an anenomie. I put it in the tank and when I went down to grab something (this was a few hours later) I felt a shock all throughout my hand and arm that was in the water. I figured I must've accidentally touched the anenome. I continued doing tank work for another 20 minutes when I reached in on the other side of the tank and was immediately shocked on my finger. It's a standard 75g tank so I know it wasn't the anemone, none of its tentacles or clear hunting tentacles or whatever they're called (this is my first anemone sorry) could have reached me. What's going on? It doesn't feel like an electrical shock because it doesn't go throughout my body, it half numbs the area in the water and then hurts for about 5 minutes and then my hand is back to normal. I don't understand how this is happening, I reached into the water many times in between without any shocking at all. I'm about to go to my lfs and buy a ground in case it is electricity. None of the fish, corals, or inverts appear to be affected by this. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[GroktheCube]

Do you not have your tank on a GFCI with a grounding probe? If not, do that now.

Do you have a multimeter? If so, I'd suggest unplugging everything and measuring current from tank to ground as you turn things back on to see what the problem is.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You know there is a better place on RC to post this than in the anemone board.

Do all of your electrical accessories have 3 prong plugs on them? If so they are grounded and they all should be. You probably got stung by the nem. What kind of anemone did you buy?

You can check for stray voltage with a multi meter, but in most cases the heater is the culprit for stray voltage.

 

[blanden.adam]

Sounds like electricity. GFCI is a must. Grounding probe on a GFCI is asking for nuisance trips. But you likely have a small current leak. I had a heater that would do that -- it was promptly discarded.

 

[Sir JRAD]

For sure electrical, not your anemone.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Yup. Electrical.
You probably won't feel your anemone sting. The tenticles will just seem to stick to your hand. Some people are allergic though, so be careful until you know.
As for your electrical shocks, many of us have been there. It's not fun.

 

[davocean]

Agree, though I will add that hadonni have a stronger sting, and I myself have had a reaction to them, but more like an itchy rash you see and feel later.
Most likely your heater but could be other things.

 

[OrionN]

Heater. When it is on it leak electricity. When if is off, it does not. I would change it. I would change it, or at least put it on a GFI.

 

[nbsdsailor]

Yea my heater shocked the heck out of me. I GFIed my tank the next day.

 

[Reefstarter2]

one thing to note , if you GFCI it will shut down that circut if there is a problem , best bet is to isolate what is causing the problem eliminate it or replace it . chances are the powerhead or heater . that stray voltage can not only kill you under the right circumstances but hurt the fish and corals Use a multimeter and un plug each unit one at a time till you get no reading you may have multiple units causing issue as well . so it might take some time . be careful and work safe . good luck

 

[DasCamel]

Yeah, stop putting your hand into water until the leak is fixed.