Stray voltage from return pump

[soeminpaing]

I tested the water and it has 46V. When I turn off the return pump it jumps down to 25v. My tank is 20 gallon AIO tank. ( innovative marine fusion 20) and the return pump comes with the tank. Should I be worry? Do I need to replace the return pump?

 

[Fish Keeper82]

You sure its Volts and not Millivolts?

 

[Subsea]

At 25V on the tank water, you should be concerned. With that much stray voltage in the water column, you would have been shocked the first time that you went barefoot. I can feel less than 1V when I am barefooted.

From what you said, you have more than one problem. You may have 25V of stray electricity on your house neutral or ground leads. Get an electrician to check for leaks to ground. Your return pump may leak to ground. I would strongly consider replacing it.

For your safety, I recommend a ground fault circuit interrupter on all of your tank electrical supplies. Also for your safety, I recommend a titanium grounding probe from your tank to a ground.

 

[soeminpaing]

At 25V on the tank water, you should be concerned. With that much stray voltage in the water column, you would have been shocked the first time that you went barefoot. I can feel less than 1V when I am barefooted.

From what you said, you have more than one problem. You may have 25V of stray electricity on your house neutral or ground leads. Get an electrician to check for leaks to ground. Your return pump may leak to ground. I would strongly consider replacing it.

For your safety, I recommend a ground fault circuit interrupter on all of your tank electrical supplies. Also for your safety, I recommend a titanium grounding probe from your tank to a ground.

Thanks for the reply. I heard stray voltage under 50V is not a concern but since mine is at the borderline I am a little worry. Most exeperienced people recommended GFI oultet and not to used titanium probe since it create current across the animals in tank. I dont feel a shock when I put my hands in tank with barefoot which maybe due to the carpet. Even though my tank is a 20 gallon all in one tank I have two heaters, a reactor, a skimmer and return pump which may contribute to high stray voltage.

 

[Windy2]

Ground probes are not a safety device.

 

[alton]

Anytime you add a 120v pump into your tank it will create stray voltage, with out current it is useless for the most part. Your lamps on your tank will also add stray voltage and no current. Grounding probes will reduce or eliminate stray voltage (but that's another argument) When people are getting shocked, it is because of the current in the tank, not the voltage. The worst shock I received was on a friends tank with 2 volts. Since his service was missing a grounding means, it was using his tank as a grounding means. The worst part was since his security company grounded there panel to a water pipe along with the circuit, and when he took a shower he also received a mild continuous shock. Please use GFCI for your protection

 

[billsreef]

All electrical equipment will contribute induced voltage. However, IME, a jump of around 20 volts for a single item likely means the pump needs replacing. Before it gets worse.

 

[splix]

I just tested my water. I'm at .02v haha

 

[AZRippster]

Do NOT use grounding probes!! They are a scam and implemented by those that know little to zero about electricity. You have a pump, heater, or some piece of water exposed equipment that has an area leaking current. Try to find the faulty piece of equipment by removing things one at a time. When found, replace that piece of equipment. Seriously, birds can land on a high tension wire and not be immediately electrocuted due to not being grounded.