DIY Ground Probe made from Aluminum Wire from Computers

Jyetman · 01/26/2014, 06:39 PM

Can I build a grounding probe made from aluminum wires removed from a dead computer power supply? Will this work for a short period of time until I can afford a real LFS probe?

scuzy · 01/26/2014, 06:40 PM

I don't are why not all you need is a write connected to the ground so all voltage gets sucked up by it.

disc1 · 01/26/2014, 08:13 PM

You really don't want bare aluminum in your tank. You really don't want any bare metal of any kind in your tank aside from titanium or pure 24K gold.

shifty51008 · 01/26/2014, 08:42 PM

why do you need a grounding probe so fast, are you getting shocked when you stick your hand in the tank? if you are getting shocked then I suggest finding the reason for that and fixing it.

thegrun · 01/26/2014, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

You really don't want bare aluminum in your tank. You really don't want any bare metal of any kind in your tank aside from titanium or pure 24K gold.

+1, you can buy a titanium grounding probe for around $10.00.

Jyetman · 01/26/2014, 09:09 PM

I don't get any kind of shock never had but read that zoas can close if voltage is present. My voltmeter shows .006 Volts AC present? I can't find other reasons why some zoas close and others don't. I'm testing to see what happens with the grounding.

Mike31154 · 01/26/2014, 09:55 PM

Grounding probe is a waste of money. GFCI is more important for your personal safety. The voltage in your tank (.006) is negligible, I have a higher reading than that in my tank & livestock is doing famously, I wouldn't worry about it.

Jyetman · 01/26/2014, 10:23 PM

That's what I thought .006 volts so I took it out thanks. For the zoas just have to keep looking.

01/26/2014, 06:39 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	DIY Ground Probe made from Aluminum Wire from Computers Can I build a grounding probe made from aluminum wires removed from a dead computer power supply? Will this work for a short period of time until I can afford a real LFS probe? Last edited by Jyetman; 01/26/2014 at 07:09 PM.

01/26/2014, 08:13 PM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	You really don't want bare aluminum in your tank. You really don't want any bare metal of any kind in your tank aside from titanium or pure 24K gold. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

01/26/2014, 08:42 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	why do you need a grounding probe so fast, are you getting shocked when you stick your hand in the tank? if you are getting shocked then I suggest finding the reason for that and fixing it. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

01/26/2014, 09:55 PM	#7
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	Grounding probe is a waste of money. GFCI is more important for your personal safety. The voltage in your tank (.006) is negligible, I have a higher reading than that in my tank & livestock is doing famously, I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

01/26/2014, 06:40 PM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	I don't are why not all you need is a write connected to the ground so all voltage gets sucked up by it.

01/26/2014, 09:09 PM	#6
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	I don't get any kind of shock never had but read that zoas can close if voltage is present. My voltmeter shows .006 Volts AC present? I can't find other reasons why some zoas close and others don't. I'm testing to see what happens with the grounding.

01/26/2014, 10:23 PM	#8
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	That's what I thought .006 volts so I took it out thanks. For the zoas just have to keep looking.