stray current!

[jbird69]

It appears my aqualifter is leaking current into my tank. Whenever it kicks on for my ato I get a little shock especially if I have a cut. Has anyone had an aqualifter do this? Could it be a problem with how I wired it to my ato float switch? Do you think I should try rewiring it or is the aqualifter toast? Its only about 8mo. old.

 

[downhillbiker]

I dont know how to answer this, but will give you my experience.

I get shocked every time I put my hand in the tank without shoes on, when I am in the basement. If I am upstairs, no problem. If I have shoes on, no problem. I have a grounding probe, but I think with no shoes, and being on concrete in the basement, I make a better ground than the grounding probe.

I seem to have stray voltage from everything in my tank. Powerheads, pumps, ect...It just seems to add up one piece at a time. I dont know if it is leaking or if it is just transferring through plastic? I have mostly new stuff in my new build and it doesn't make a darn bit of difference, it just is there, and under the right circumstances I get shocked...but corals are fine, fish are fine, inverts are fine. Everything shows full polyp extension and grows great for me.

 

[rendogg]

^ I hear ya, after the initial jolt, stay immersed in the water, it's all good. lol

 

[jbird69]

hmmm. So a little stray voltage wont harm the livestock? I havent observed any unusual behaviour. The aqua lifter only runs for about 30 seconds at a time to do its job, so the problem is not continuous.

 

[downhillbiker]

By all means I am no expert on this, but it seems no matter what I do there is always some in there. I can unplug everything, and just have my "EXTERNAL" pump running, which doesn't even touch water, and still get stray voltage registering. I just leave it be, and everything has been fine.

 

[Katmanblue]

Kind of off topic from the original question, but I found this fascinating.

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GroundingProbes.html

 

[rroselavy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357576#post15357576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Katmanblue
Kind of off topic from the original question, but I found this fascinating.

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GroundingProbes.html

The last paragraph of that article is all you need to know. Whether or not you use a grounding probe, make sure to use a GFCI outlet or GFCI power strip on your tank.

---

Your lights will create nominal voltage via electromagnetic radiation. Not enough to shock you though...Seriously, find and fix the problem.

Your Aqualifter may not be the source... perhaps your ATO float switch is leaking voltage? If you have a float switch, try unplugging the Aqualifter and then activate the float switch manually to see how much if any voltage is in your tank (preferably using a voltmeter instead of your hand).

 

[Mike31154]

With regard to the float switch, how is that wired? I presume to a 115VAC source? It would be safer to use a float switch on a low voltage power source, but that will involve a few extra components, one of them being a relay to isolate the 115VAC from the low voltage power, commonly 12-24VDC.

 

[rroselavy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357895#post15357895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike31154
With regard to the float switch, how is that wired? I presume to a 115VAC source? It would be safer to use a float switch on a low voltage power source, but that will involve a few extra components, one of them being a relay to isolate the 115VAC from the low voltage power, commonly 12-24VDC.

+1

 

[lmsmith]

Hmmm. I'm having a similar issue with my tank; but I don't know if the tiny shocks I am getting are from small cuts in my skin or from voltage. My partner says it doesn't shock him, but he has a lot tougher skin than my girly hands. Once my hands are IN the water, it's fine...

 

[downhillbiker]

lmsmith, sounds like you too are getting shocked. cuts are an indicator of that, as well as being fine once you get in the water, it is just that initial touch that gets me.

 

[jbird69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357895#post15357895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike31154
With regard to the float switch, how is that wired? I presume to a 115VAC source? It would be safer to use a float switch on a low voltage power source, but that will involve a few extra components, one of them being a relay to isolate the 115VAC from the low voltage power, commonly 12-24VDC.

This is exactly how mine is set up...
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

 

[jbird69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357664#post15357664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rroselavy
Your Aqualifter may not be the source... perhaps your ATO float switch is leaking voltage? If you have a float switch, try unplugging the Aqualifter and then activate the float switch manually to see how much if any voltage is in your tank (preferably using a voltmeter instead of your hand).

The float switch is wired directly to the aqualifter. If I pull power to the aqualifter, the whole ato system is disabled.

It probably is the float switch that is leaking the voltage actually. Its the component thats actually in the water, not the aqualifter.

 

[rroselavy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359538#post15359538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbird69
This is exactly how mine is set up...
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

This is DANGEROUS because you have 120volts going through the float switch when activated. There is no need for that. For $50 you can get an ATO controller that has a 12v relay do the job for you. 12v is not fun, but 120v will kill you.

I have also read that a power surge can cause that 120v to fuse the contacts of the float switch together, causing the switch to remain on. Probably a very uncommon situation, but why take the risk?

 

[Mike31154]

Yes, this setup from melev would make me very nervous. Splicing into a 115 VAC extension cord like that... Did your float switch come with or does it have any electrical specifications on it, voltage, current etc?

 

[Gdevine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15357664#post15357664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rroselavy
The last paragraph of that article is all you need to know. Whether or not you use a grounding probe, make sure to use a GFCI outlet or GFCI power strip on your tank.

---

Let me reiterate this statement above: If you use a grounding probe and do not use a GFCI you stand a great risk of being electrocuted. THIS IS NO JOKE. Get a GFCI right away. In fact, no tank should run without a GFCI anyway for so many reasons...

 

[demonboy369]

any voltage is bad. I've read mixed reviews and am not going to argue with anyone who may disagree.

the thing is if it zaps you it is zapping your fish as well. people say since they are fully submerged they don't feel it. well tell that to someone in a bathtub with a tv.

you should not register voltage in your tank. I have 2 old maxijet 1200's a hob aquaclear 500 a seaclone 150 skimmer which runs off another maxijet 1200 a 200w heater and a 250w mh on a 29g and register no voltage with a voltmeter or an open wound.

if you wouldn't splice a hot wire with wet hands then why put your hands in a submerged hot wire.

find the problem and fix it before it potentionally gets worse.

if something was releasing voltage in my tank it would be removed immediately.

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361610#post15361610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonboy369
any voltage is bad. I've read mixed reviews and am not going to argue with anyone who may disagree.

the thing is if it zaps you it is zapping your fish as well. people say since they are fully submerged they don't feel it. well tell that to someone in a bathtub with a tv.

you should not register voltage in your tank. I have 2 old maxijet 1200's a hob aquaclear 500 a seaclone 150 skimmer which runs off another maxijet 1200 a 200w heater and a 250w mh on a 29g and register no voltage with a voltmeter or an open wound.

if you wouldn't splice a hot wire with wet hands then why put your hands in a submerged hot wire.

find the problem and fix it before it potentionally gets worse.

if something was releasing voltage in my tank it would be removed immediately.

i know you say you aren't going to argue, so there is really no point in me posting this, but i think you are wrong. i have voltage in my tank, no matter what. all my stuff is brand new in my build, and it still gives me stray voltage. each piece adds up, not leaking, just diffusing through water, and eventually it builds up enough to make a difference. none of my corals or fish show any signs of stress though.

 

[kwpgrooming]

I've been having this problem also. I keep thinking maybe it is little cuts on my finger because after a second if I leave my hand in the water it stops. A GFCI will only keep you from being electrocuted it does not fix the problem?