stray voltage question

[Doc's69]

Can someone please answer this??? If I have stray voltage in my tank wll it affect my corals? I am loosing flesh on my SPS from the base up and I know I have a bad powerhead or something, planning on running new electrical as I update to a new tank but really need to know what id eating my corals before I do. Thanks everyone for the help in advance. Steve

 

[Billybeau1]

Stray voltage (as you call it) does not affect tank inhabitants. In order for them to get zapped, they must complete a circuit. The reason you get zapped (or a little tingle ) is that you are grounded. There is no way a fish or coral can become grounded and complete a circuit.

I can put a hot wire in my hand and hold it all day long, as long as I'm not grounded.

Make sense ?

 

[fishdoc11]

Bad powerheads/ heaters(stray voltage) etc... can definately be really bad for your tank....and kill things..... lots of things.
I've seen it happen a bunch of times.
Chris

 

[Billybeau1]

Really ?

 

[fishdoc11]

Yes...unfortunately.

 

[Stoney Mahony]

I work with returns of aquarium/aquaculture equipment every day and I cand second that fish doc. #1 reason we see for stray voltage is faulty heaters. They usually don't even know anythings wrong until they come home and see floaters in their tank. Then when they go to fish them out...they get a shock. Everyone wants reimbursement for there$$$rare$$$ fish.... but its in the warranty baby... Notta

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7796770#post7796770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stoney Mahony
I work with returns of aquarium/aquaculture equipment every day and I cand second that fish doc. #1 reason we see for stray voltage is faulty heaters. They usually don't even know anythings wrong until they come home and see floaters in their tank. Then when they go to fish them out...they get a shock. Everyone wants reimbursement for there$$$rare$$$ fish.... but its in the warranty baby... Notta

Electricity can't shock a fish unless theres a ground.


With faulty heaters, its probably the fact that the coil is exposed to water, and leaching copper/etc, more than the electricity.

 

[Stoney Mahony]

Well, Ive seen sea turtles, farm fish, catfish, tropicals, finfish, even shrimp die from faulty heaters. A heater has even injured a worker in one of the farms. I suggest using a combo of smaller units or one with a trippable breaker. Ive seen fish get shocked... not a pretty sight

 

[fishdoc11]

It's the electricity Rich

 

[Stoney Mahony]

They use electified fish shocking wands to collect specimens for sampling. You wear rubber boots, stick anywhere close and let um have it. They float up stunned, you collect, then they wake up in a few minutes.

 

[RichConley]

Re: stray voltage question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7794159#post7794159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doc's69
Can someone please answer this??? If I have stray voltage in my tank wll it affect my corals? I am loosing flesh on my SPS from the base up and I know I have a bad powerhead or something, planning on running new electrical as I update to a new tank but really need to know what id eating my corals before I do. Thanks everyone for the help in advance. Steve

A GFCI outlet would prevent this stuff.

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7804168#post7804168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stoney Mahony
They use electified fish shocking wands to collect specimens for sampling. You wear rubber boots, stick anywhere close and let um have it. They float up stunned, you collect, then they wake up in a few minutes.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Re: Re: stray voltage question

Re: Re: stray voltage question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7804635#post7804635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
A GFCI outlet would prevent this stuff.

Only if the "stray" current goes to another ground other than the power plug the GFCI is plugged into.

Think about this, if you've ever stuck your finger/hand (cuts are useful here ) into a saltwater tank and you feel a zap or tingly sensation do you think it's because you are completing the circuit? Pray tell how!? Your rubber soled shoes standing on a dry carpet (or even wet) that's on a solid wood subfloor with wooden beams as support that's over a concrete foundation, now it's been a while since I've done circuits but I'd hazard a guess that the resistance of that path is one of those "might as well call that infinity" situations.

Sure there could be the rare scenario where your wetfeet stood in a puddle of water that dripped out over a nail in the floor which happens to be touching a cold water pipe under the floor but I really wouldn't see this as the norm.

Check the polarity of your plugs first, (super cheap homedepot style meter) neutral and hot are mixed, that's going to be your culprit, guaranteed.

 

[dvanacker]

electricity is a strange beast......it goes in directions you never thought it would and does things you never thought it could.

That being said....electicity needs a path to shock YES. With out a path you can't have current (the flow of electricity). sfsuphysics ...is the human body the perfect isolator.....NEVER. With enough potential electricity will pass through almost anything.

Is stray current bad for the aquarium.....of course. Will it definately shock and harm the livestock...well not always. Is a ground probe good for the tank inhabitants...I dont think so as it completes a path to ground and is more likely to pass current through the water column. But if you use a GFI (best if combined with a ground probe) and you have a high potential short in the water column the GFI will trip saving possibly your tank inhabitants and maybe even you.

I'm no expert but I know a little and this is kinda my take on it. Feel free to chime in if you know better.