A must-have for any reefer

[Eel Freak]

A non-contact voltage sensor such as this is a must-have for any reefer... There are cheaper models out there that serve the same function. I personally have an older model that runs for about $6 I saw on a site...

Mine came in handy when I went to work with my sump the other day and to my horror and surprise, I got shocked. After unplugging everything in the sump-area, I was still shocked. Turns out, even if the drain pipes are DAMP, electricity carries. I had a K3 and K4 in the DT for circulation to keep things going until I got home the following day. When I got home earlier today, I decided to figure out what was causing the stray electrical. So, by plugging in everything and holding the sensor to the glass/sump (it beeped signaling electricity), and unplugging items one by one until it stopped, I determined it was my K3. Sure enough, after isolating the pump in a 5g bucket to double-check, it was the culprit. Not only did it leak electrical, it spewed it. The sensor registered from a foot away and on the cables from my halide it didn't register until the sensor touched... At any rate, no more shocking! =)

Moral of the story, have one on hand, just in case! $20 is not bad when compared to the cost of a life.

However the one thing that puzzles me is that my nano registers voltage, yet I don't get shocked at all. I never would have known had I not have checked... any thoughts on this?

[29reef]

I don't think you can die from minor Ac voltage; most tanks are 120 vac on a 15 or 20 amp breaker I don't feel my life is at stake. I agree it's a good tool to have.

As for the nano I would guess it's most likely less than 20 volts Ac and that's why you can't feel it. I think it's safe.

I work around electrical and have been shocked more times than average people. I suggest safety; reading a little about electricity and electric circuits goes a long way.

[Eel Freak]

Originally Posted by 29reef

I don't think you can die from minor Ac voltage; most tanks are 120 vac on a 15 or 20 amp breaker I don't feel my life is at stake. I agree it's a good tool to have. I agree. As it's the amps that kill you easiest, not the volts (to a point...). +1 on the helpful tool though.

As for the nano I would guess it's most likely less than 20 volts Ac and that's why you can't feel it. I think it's safe. So the human body can only feel electricity at a certain voltage? The sensor is supposed to be rated 50-600VAC...

I work around electrical and have been shocked more times than average people. I suggest safety; reading a little about electricity and electric circuits goes a long way.+1

Answers in red...

[daytonben]

Thanks for this.

[aqualab]

I went to feed my tank this morning and felt tingling in my fingers - mostly around the fingernails, not painfull but it was uncomfortable. Going to check equipment today with a ticker to find out what is putting a charge into the tank. Do those ground probes work?

[maroun.c]

I would do it the other way. unplug everything and then plug each item to see which one is the cuprit (still doesn't make a difference if using that sensor)

[wdt2000]

I thought your GFCI would trip when there is stray voltage.

[LobsterOfJustice]

FWIW, pipes/cords dont even have to be damp... I've found with my tank a light dusting of salt can eventually build up and carry electricity. I've found it good practice every few months to just unplug and remove all electrical, and then wipe/wash it down and put it back. Annoying, but only takes a few hours and helps stop salt from building dangerous connections.

[aqualab]

I got my ticker tester and traced the current to the pH probe (Elos). Unplugged it at the controller to verify, actually got shocked while touching its cable. With it unplugged the current is gone from the tank. I just sent an email to the manufacturer (Jesse) informing him of issue, the probe is new (month old). The current was probably messing up my conductivity probe as well, and my fish. Pulled the pH probe.

[aqualab]

Well, not so fast, looks like several pieces are putting current into the tank. Conductivity probe and skimmer pump. Is this typical that these items will put some voltage into the tank? I touch the tester to the glass tank and it glows when these items are plugged in. The heater, doesn't put anything in, now I'm really wondering what's going on. Going to email Jesse again with updated info and see what he says. The conductivity probe uses magnetic field so i would imagine that is adding, but should it be releasing current? Will a grounding probe just take care of this issue?

[Frick-n-Frags]

a grounding probe will turn voltage field issues into current flowing issues IF the fields arent loaclly generated by motors etc or maybe the probe w/e.
if you genuinely have a mains electricity leak, you had better have good GFI's if you use a ground probe. no gfi's is asking to cook your tank during a fault. at least you will only have certain things kick off with GFI's

[d-man]

i once touched my water and had a shock that gave me a numb finger and a string of explicits that lasted 30 seconds long. It tripped my gfci in the process. after i unplugged everything at that circuit i found it to be my 800 watt titanium heater leaking the stray voltage into the tank. That was my most painful shock, needless to say, i am careful now.

[mdntrdr]

If you have a cut on your hand when you put it into the water you will be able to feel much lower voltage shocks IME.

[aqualab]

My right hand's thumb and three fingers were chemically burned while I was in the Navy - I feel the current around the finger nails. My other hand which isn't damaged doesn't feel it. I have had this tank running for a few months now, this is the first time I really noticed it. When I touch the pH probe's cable I really feel it. I'm going to plug the controller into a GFI and see what happens. Even if my hand is more sensative to the current, still a concern? Will the probe eliminate the problem?

[mdntrdr]

I would try to remove anything that is leaking voltage.

Could only get worse IMO.

[aqualab]

I would have to remove the pH probe, cond probe, and skimmer pump. I plugged the controller into a GFI - did not trip. The Elos controller does not have a grounded plug - only a two prong - the cond and pH plig directly into it. The skimmer pump is seperate. waiting for response from Elos rep.

[Peter Eichler]

Originally Posted by aqualab

Well, not so fast, looks like several pieces are putting current into the tank. Conductivity probe and skimmer pump. Is this typical that these items will put some voltage into the tank? I touch the tester to the glass tank and it glows when these items are plugged in. The heater, doesn't put anything in, now I'm really wondering what's going on. Going to email Jesse again with updated info and see what he says. The conductivity probe uses magnetic field so i would imagine that is adding, but should it be releasing current? Will a grounding probe just take care of this issue?

Just about every electrical device in a sump or aquarium will add a small amount of voltage...

[Snow Leopard]

I had this happen to me. If I was barefoot, I'd get shocked, if I was wearing socks, I didn't feel it. I'm going to get one of those, because I don't think socks will save me the next time.

[aqualab]

I remember reading in a forum on reefcentral a couple of years back about people getting shocked when barefoot or while wearing only socks when their tank or sump is on concrete floor. My tank is in my finished basement with ceramic tile on concrete. I put a pair of shoes on and I dont get shocked anymore. I guess I need to wear sneakers whenever I am messing with the tank. Weird effect. I am going to get a grounding probe for the sump anyway for safety sake. I must have always had my shoes on when feeding and performing maintenance.

[Elysia]

Wait, what does this do to the critters in the tank (as they haven't really been mentioned yet.) What are they feeling? Or are they not grounded, so it doesn't go through them? Sorry, I don't completely follow.

[lordofthereef]

This may be a stupid question, but if there was enough current in the water to do damage to you, wouldn't you see ill effects on the livestock? Granted it sounds like the OP is setting up a new tank, but just wondering for those of us who can have stray voltage in our already running tanks.