my tank is shocking me

boomer135 · 05/18/2009, 04:35 PM

What should I do? I unplugged everything and found it's the protein skimmer that is doing this...

When I went to feed the tank today I noticed a tingling sensation when my fingers hit the water....

I tried everything individually and looks like the protein skimmer is doing this...

I will order a new pump to see if this is the problem, but how long can I run the tank without a skimmer?

birdz · 05/18/2009, 04:46 PM

get a grounding probe and make sure all of your equipment is plugged in through a GFCI

I would replace the skimmer as well. I'm not much of an aquarium expert but I do understand electrical and water.

drparker · 05/18/2009, 04:48 PM

If it went away when that pump was off and came back with it on then it sure looks like you got some stray current from it. Feed less while you wait for a pump. A few days should not be a problem. If really worried about it do an extra water change.

drparker · 05/18/2009, 04:55 PM

There are arguments for and against grounding probes having to do with current flow vs nowhere for current to flow. Do the research make up your own mind. Always have GFCI. A skimmer is basically acrylic with a pump attached all you'll need to replace is the pump.

SaltyTX · 05/18/2009, 05:06 PM

A few days wont destroy the tank most likely, but as said, feed less just to make sure.

Get a pump and you're done.

I would NOT be a fan of a grounding probe, rather removing faulty equipment as it sounds like you're doing

boomer135 · 05/18/2009, 06:43 PM

well the pump must have been on its way out, as for the past couple months when i would shut it off to do water changes I would have to blow in the tube to get the skimmer working... I called a few places and looked for a different pump for a replacement, but was unhappy with the choices, and didnt have time for one to ship to me, I wont be home for a week, but I have a buddy staying at my house watching the pets and fish...

So I bit the bullet and founf a store with the sedra 3500, yeah it cost me 140.00 but oh well I could have had a store order me one for 105.00 but needed it today or tomorrow at the latest...

replaced the pump and all is back to narmal with no shock...

PRDubois · 05/18/2009, 06:48 PM

shut the pump off and keep it off.

boomer135 · 05/18/2009, 06:54 PM

i replaced the pump with a new one as posted above.. all is good again!

Bugs825 · 05/18/2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by birdz
get a grounding probe and make sure all of your equipment is plugged in through a GFCI

That will trip your GFI and you will not be able to rest it untill the defective pump is unpluged.

A little tingle or a tripped GFI???
Choices, choices.

Nathan

05/18/2009, 04:35 PM	#1
boomer135 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: st pete fl Posts: 193	my tank is shocking me What should I do? I unplugged everything and found it's the protein skimmer that is doing this... When I went to feed the tank today I noticed a tingling sensation when my fingers hit the water.... I tried everything individually and looks like the protein skimmer is doing this... I will order a new pump to see if this is the problem, but how long can I run the tank without a skimmer?

05/18/2009, 06:48 PM	#7
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	shut the pump off and keep it off. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

05/18/2009, 04:46 PM	#2
birdz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenton, MI Posts: 107	get a grounding probe and make sure all of your equipment is plugged in through a GFCI I would replace the skimmer as well. I'm not much of an aquarium expert but I do understand electrical and water.

05/18/2009, 04:48 PM	#3
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	If it went away when that pump was off and came back with it on then it sure looks like you got some stray current from it. Feed less while you wait for a pump. A few days should not be a problem. If really worried about it do an extra water change.

05/18/2009, 04:55 PM	#4
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	There are arguments for and against grounding probes having to do with current flow vs nowhere for current to flow. Do the research make up your own mind. Always have GFCI. A skimmer is basically acrylic with a pump attached all you'll need to replace is the pump.

05/18/2009, 05:06 PM	#5
SaltyTX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SC for now.. Posts: 155	A few days wont destroy the tank most likely, but as said, feed less just to make sure. Get a pump and you're done. I would NOT be a fan of a grounding probe, rather removing faulty equipment as it sounds like you're doing

05/18/2009, 06:43 PM	#6
boomer135 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: st pete fl Posts: 193	well the pump must have been on its way out, as for the past couple months when i would shut it off to do water changes I would have to blow in the tube to get the skimmer working... I called a few places and looked for a different pump for a replacement, but was unhappy with the choices, and didnt have time for one to ship to me, I wont be home for a week, but I have a buddy staying at my house watching the pets and fish... So I bit the bullet and founf a store with the sedra 3500, yeah it cost me 140.00 but oh well I could have had a store order me one for 105.00 but needed it today or tomorrow at the latest... replaced the pump and all is back to narmal with no shock...

05/18/2009, 06:54 PM	#8
boomer135 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: st pete fl Posts: 193	i replaced the pump with a new one as posted above.. all is good again!