Voltage In My Tank

[Hockeydad]

Have a voltage leak in my tank. Unfortnately the outlets are not gounded (bad me) There is a cold water copper pipe nearby. Can I strip the leads on a voltage probe and ground it against the pipe. I can feel the electrical potential when I reached into the fuge so I can imaging what the corals are doing...
Thanks

 

[Michael Mota]

May want to hire an electrician to look at that setup. I think that would be the best bet.
Take care

 

[PelagicMagic]

you are only shocking the corals and fish when you stick your hand in the tank while not wearing shoes. You are completing the circuit thus shocking all the livestock. The corals and fish are not grounded so they are ok as long as you are not grounded when sticking hands and fingers in the water. You should get a shock while barefoot and not when on a chair or with shoes on. If you are getting shocked with shoes on than that is serious. I am going through the same problem and I need to replace the pump. You should do the same.

 

[kpk]

I have read that a little electricity entices growth, but is really bad for the fish. FWIW. Hope you figure it out. Sounds like the copper pipe would work or if you can drive a steel stake in the ground with and do the same like you where talking with a grounding probe. That is if you live in a house w/o a concrete foundation...

Kyle

 

[Pyrrhus]

DO NOT GROUND THE TANK!

Without a GFCI in place, grounding the tank will just complete the circuit and electrify your aquarium.

You need to identify and replace the faulty equipment and install grounded GFCI outlets for use near the tank if you would like to install a ground probe.

 

[atvdave]

also check for salt creep. salt creep on power cords can track electricity back to your sump/fudge. wipe them down every month.

also if both your hot and neutral are leaking then you can still get a current through your tank.

You need to look into it.

 

[Serioussnaps]

PYRRHUS IS RIGHT....THAT WHOLE RIG JOB SOUNDS FLAT OUT STUPID...

NOT BASHING YOU JUST LISTEN

You do not want to rig something up when dealing with electricity and the way you explain it sounds lackadasical...dont PLAY around

I shocked myself really really i mean really badly...almost killed myself....you need to turn of all power and put in GFCI with drip loops...a must....have the outlets elevated so the cords can run down and then back up so the water drips down to the floor if you get any on it and cant flow back up to the outlet.

it sounds like you have a bad pump bringing this in....or a light that is touching the water....those are usually the two...oh or a heater going bad..most likely a pump

DO YOU HAVE ANY RIO PRODUCTS...if you do trash em.....i run a Seio and didnt realize it was TAAM...oh nevermind another story

you need to find out what is leaking voltage and remove it ASAP...not only for your livestock but screw the livestock ....FOR YOURSELF....

YOU SHOULD NEVER FEEL STRAY VOLTAGE...DONT KILL YOURSELF ....IN OTHER WORDS DONT JUST GO RIGGING STUFF UP AND PLAYING AROUND...THATS THE WAY YOU MADE IT SOUND

 

[toothman]

My guess is: 1. heater 2. light, 3. powerhead. It really is a no brainer, unplug one at a time and do what I did see if it shocks you. I guess I must be a no brainer to do it this way, my shock felt like a 9 volt battery and ended being a powerhead. I had a light do it one time and wow what a bolt. May want to consider other options if you have a pace maker.

 

[Hockeydad]

Thank you

Thank you

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have some cleaning and testing to do this weekend and that includes what you all recommended except for grounding the system.
My idea came from the grounding recepticles you see on sale which do the same thing.
I do have salt creep, no powerheads, light tests ok, heater is fine.
thanks again

 

[PelagicMagic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8280465#post8280465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by toothman
My guess is: 1. heater 2. light, 3. powerhead. It really is a no brainer, unplug one at a time and do what I did see if it shocks you. I guess I must be a no brainer to do it this way, my shock felt like a 9 volt battery and ended being a powerhead. I had a light do it one time and wow what a bolt. May want to consider other options if you have a pace maker.

have the wife test it.

 

[slojmn]

Really good advice on how not to kill yourself. I personally would not wait till this weekend. Electrical stuff has the potential to take down your whole house.

have the wife test it.

That is cold!!!!!!!

...but humorous