I know it's been discussed before, but - GROUNDING PROBE, yes or no?

LobsterOfJustice · 07/16/2008, 08:23 PM

Hello,

I have heard that grounding probes are great and will protect your tank inhabitants from stray electricity by taking it out of the tank, but I have also heard that the grounding probe causes would-be stray electricity to have a path and turn into current - which is bad for inhabitants.

So what's the verdict? Oh, and FWIW, I know NOTHING about electricity, current, grounding, etc.

Gdevine · 07/16/2008, 10:11 PM

Ground probes are fine ONLY if you use a GFSI. You can die otherwise and I am not kidding.

LobsterOfJustice · 07/16/2008, 10:25 PM

I am using GFCI on all outlets used for the tank:

da1jewfish · 07/16/2008, 10:28 PM

I have been researching this subject for a bit now, and am still confused. I'm tagging along with ya.

How can you die if you don't have a GFCI?

SeanT · 07/16/2008, 10:59 PM

Here is my take.
You should have your tank set up so you do not need it.
Seriously.
I know this sounds smug but it is NOT meant to be.

LobsterOfJustice · 07/16/2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Here is my take.
You should have your tank set up so you do not need it.
Seriously.
I know this sounds smug but it is NOT meant to be.

Fair enough - how do you recommend going about doing this?

OAD · 07/16/2008, 11:08 PM

Routinely inspect your wires for cracks, frays and wear on all of them.
Ensure you have a drip loop.
Run GFCI.

That is what I think for a starting list.

SeanT · 07/16/2008, 11:51 PM

Also,
routinely use a multi-meter to cheak for voltage leaks.
If you have any, isolate the piece of equipment and replace it/them.

Afterall, we are dealing with electricity AND saltwater.

Bad combos lol.

LobsterOfJustice · 07/17/2008, 12:17 AM

Alright - will any "multi-meter" work? Can I get one at lowes (how much $)? How do I use the multi-meter to test the tank?

tkeracer619 · 07/17/2008, 01:04 AM

Use one..... testing for current is not a replacement for a probe/gfci combo. They don't have the same purpose. A zero reading on a meter won't tell you the heater is going to crack next week. If you have a problem, you use the meter to figure out what is causing it.

stagefright13 · 07/17/2008, 01:05 AM

Not sure but I use a gfi and my titanium heater is grounded. (works as a probe) I checked for that years ago but don't remember why. And I have everything in my tank running to a light switch on the wall to kill the entire thing in an emergency. (I taped over the switch to prevent accidents) Everything is on 1 circuit. And I have my cords run with drip lines and the only power strip mounted on the wall.

Hmm not alot of info but that is what I did for some reason. And I usually do things for a reason....

tkeracer619 · 07/17/2008, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by da1jewfish

How can you die if you don't have a GFCI?

You become the path of least resistance. Electrocution.

landlord · 07/17/2008, 04:42 AM

As a side note I have found that Grounding Probes can alter the readings on Pinpoint Ph meters. My probe was shooting the meter up .3 to .4. I could watch the screen on the RK2 fluctuate when I plugged and unplugged the meter.

Just a sidebar for you --landlord

abulgin · 07/17/2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OAD
Routinely inspect your wires for cracks, frays and wear on all of them.
Ensure you have a drip loop.
Run GFCI.

That is what I think for a starting list.

Although this is great advice, it won't get you to a place where you don't need GFI or a GP. We all have tanks filled with electrical devices, most of which are made in China. Things fail from time to time. After reading the article published by that Georgia Tech professor (http://www.avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM...ingProbes.html), I was convinced that GPs were evil. But I since discovered that something in my tank is leaking current and I installed a GP in my tank and in my sump, and all stray current is gone. I know I should unplug everything so I can determine which device is faulty, but . . .

The only true way of doing what you suggest is to plumb everything so that no electrical device is in the water. Doable, but pretty advanced. I have enough difficulty organizing the 350 cords !!

Saltz Creep · 07/17/2008, 07:01 AM

You can make a grounding probe from a titanium bicycle spoke. A bike shop will probably give you one for free.

LobsterOfJustice · 07/18/2008, 10:09 PM

Alright - So the consensus is that you shouldn't need one, and you shouldnt have any equipment leaking electricity. Use a multimeter to test.

However, will running a grounding probe hurt? I already have one. Hypothetically if there was stray electric in the tank, are you better off with the probe to "ground it", or without the probe so as to not turn it into current?

07/16/2008, 08:23 PM	#1
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I know it's been discussed before, but - GROUNDING PROBE, yes or no? Hello, I have heard that grounding probes are great and will protect your tank inhabitants from stray electricity by taking it out of the tank, but I have also heard that the grounding probe causes would-be stray electricity to have a path and turn into current - which is bad for inhabitants. So what's the verdict? Oh, and FWIW, I know NOTHING about electricity, current, grounding, etc. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

07/16/2008, 10:11 PM	#2
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	Ground probes are fine ONLY if you use a GFSI. You can die otherwise and I am not kidding. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method

07/16/2008, 10:25 PM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I am using GFCI on all outlets used for the tank: __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

07/16/2008, 10:59 PM	#5
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Here is my take. You should have your tank set up so you do not need it. Seriously. I know this sounds smug but it is NOT meant to be. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

07/16/2008, 11:51 PM	#8
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Also, routinely use a multi-meter to cheak for voltage leaks. If you have any, isolate the piece of equipment and replace it/them. Afterall, we are dealing with electricity AND saltwater. Bad combos lol. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

07/16/2008, 10:28 PM	#4
da1jewfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Palm, FL Posts: 990	I have been researching this subject for a bit now, and am still confused. I'm tagging along with ya. How can you die if you don't have a GFCI?

07/16/2008, 11:08 PM	#7
OAD Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 507	Routinely inspect your wires for cracks, frays and wear on all of them. Ensure you have a drip loop. Run GFCI. That is what I think for a starting list.

07/17/2008, 12:17 AM	#9
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Alright - will any "multi-meter" work? Can I get one at lowes (how much $)? How do I use the multi-meter to test the tank? __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

07/17/2008, 01:04 AM	#10
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Use one..... testing for current is not a replacement for a probe/gfci combo. They don't have the same purpose. A zero reading on a meter won't tell you the heater is going to crack next week. If you have a problem, you use the meter to figure out what is causing it. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. Last edited by tkeracer619; 07/17/2008 at 01:14 AM.

07/17/2008, 01:05 AM	#11
stagefright13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hatboro, PA USA Posts: 899	Not sure but I use a gfi and my titanium heater is grounded. (works as a probe) I checked for that years ago but don't remember why. And I have everything in my tank running to a light switch on the wall to kill the entire thing in an emergency. (I taped over the switch to prevent accidents) Everything is on 1 circuit. And I have my cords run with drip lines and the only power strip mounted on the wall. Hmm not alot of info but that is what I did for some reason. And I usually do things for a reason....

07/17/2008, 04:42 AM	#13
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	As a side note I have found that Grounding Probes can alter the readings on Pinpoint Ph meters. My probe was shooting the meter up .3 to .4. I could watch the screen on the RK2 fluctuate when I plugged and unplugged the meter. Just a sidebar for you --landlord __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

07/17/2008, 07:01 AM	#15
Saltz Creep Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hickville, FL Posts: 3,728	You can make a grounding probe from a titanium bicycle spoke. A bike shop will probably give you one for free.

07/18/2008, 10:09 PM	#16
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Alright - So the consensus is that you shouldn't need one, and you shouldnt have any equipment leaking electricity. Use a multimeter to test. However, will running a grounding probe hurt? I already have one. Hypothetically if there was stray electric in the tank, are you better off with the probe to "ground it", or without the probe so as to not turn it into current? __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles