my tank water seems to shock me... what could it be? - Page 2

hammmerhead · 04/30/2008, 02:31 PM

You should never feel any current in the water. Like everyone has said. Unplug your equipment one piece at a time. The overflow could just be making you think thats what started it. You probably have a cracked power cord or a dying connection to a pump, heater etc.

billsreef · 04/30/2008, 06:28 PM

A couple of points need to be reiterated for safeties sake, as a couple of pieces of bad advice seem to keep showing up.

1.) A grounding probe is not an acceptable or safe solution to current leaking electrical equipment. A ground probe is only for use to solve problems from induced electrical current from the electromagnetic fields of pumps and heaters, this will not be sufficient to cause shock problems and therefore not the problem in this case.

2.) When you know you have electrical equipment that is faulty and leaking current into your tank, using your fingers as a tester is just plain foolish and dangerous. Use a meter.

Robgixxer · 04/30/2008, 06:38 PM

also inspect the power cords on the equipment that you have making sure that there is no nicks in the casing of the wire or anything. me, personally don't use those "groundng probes" GFCI receptacles are also a pain in the arse! I have 3 20A dedicated circuits running to my tank all of them on their own GFCI Breaker in the panel. works better, easier to get to, especially if you have a big tank blocking your receptacle and or equiptment.

Robgixxer · 04/30/2008, 06:42 PM

also less of a fire risk as the power to the receptacle is now completely dead when the GFCI breaker trips. besides messing with the buttons on them is a pain and they crap out all the time. believe me i know people call me all the time! my plug in my bathroom or my kitchen isn't working what could it be? uh gee let me guess? did you try to reset the button? yes! but it won't reset, and the breaker is on too!

billsreef · 04/30/2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by agoutihead
I am listening to the advice. But i am not able in incorporate it fully yet because of time and understanding exactly how these readers work.

I'll give you the basic tutorial, it's really simple

Here's a very basic digital meter for $19.99 at Home Depot.

There are also analog (a needle and dial) units that are slightly cheaper.

What you do is place the black (negative) lead on the ground screw of your outlet (the screw in the middle of the cover plate), and the red (positive) lead in your tank water. Set the dial to read low range DC voltage. You'll get a reading of the voltage in the tank that includes both the induced voltage and leaking voltage. Now start unplugging things one at a time. When the voltage reading drops considerably, that is the faulty item.

racksteris · 04/30/2008, 07:47 PM

I would use a ground probe and plug all your equipment in to GFCI including the ground probe.

pledosophy · 04/30/2008, 07:51 PM

I'd save teh $20 and just use my finger to see if I get shocked. I've done it ten times or so never any issues.

Although I do have this cowlick that won't go down, I developed a twitch in my left eye, and speak with a stutter.

04/30/2008, 02:31 PM	#26
hammmerhead Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ozarks Posts: 270	You should never feel any current in the water. Like everyone has said. Unplug your equipment one piece at a time. The overflow could just be making you think thats what started it. You probably have a cracked power cord or a dying connection to a pump, heater etc. __________________ 150 gal. 30 gal sump. 2X400 watt 10k XM's 4X160watt VHO's, SWC 250a skimmer, sps, lps, softies, clams, various fish including a 15 year old maroon clown

04/30/2008, 06:28 PM	#27
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	A couple of points need to be reiterated for safeties sake, as a couple of pieces of bad advice seem to keep showing up. 1.) A grounding probe is not an acceptable or safe solution to current leaking electrical equipment. A ground probe is only for use to solve problems from induced electrical current from the electromagnetic fields of pumps and heaters, this will not be sufficient to cause shock problems and therefore not the problem in this case. 2.) When you know you have electrical equipment that is faulty and leaking current into your tank, using your fingers as a tester is just plain foolish and dangerous. Use a meter. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

04/30/2008, 07:51 PM	#32
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I'd save teh $20 and just use my finger to see if I get shocked. I've done it ten times or so never any issues. Although I do have this cowlick that won't go down, I developed a twitch in my left eye, and speak with a stutter. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

04/30/2008, 06:38 PM	#28
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	also inspect the power cords on the equipment that you have making sure that there is no nicks in the casing of the wire or anything. me, personally don't use those "groundng probes" GFCI receptacles are also a pain in the arse! I have 3 20A dedicated circuits running to my tank all of them on their own GFCI Breaker in the panel. works better, easier to get to, especially if you have a big tank blocking your receptacle and or equiptment.

04/30/2008, 06:42 PM	#29
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	also less of a fire risk as the power to the receptacle is now completely dead when the GFCI breaker trips. besides messing with the buttons on them is a pain and they crap out all the time. believe me i know people call me all the time! my plug in my bathroom or my kitchen isn't working what could it be? uh gee let me guess? did you try to reset the button? yes! but it won't reset, and the breaker is on too!

04/30/2008, 07:47 PM	#31
racksteris Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 379	I would use a ground probe and plug all your equipment in to GFCI including the ground probe.