electric current?

MAthU · 08/02/2006, 06:14 PM

i get a shock every time i put my hand in my systems... is this bad for my fish corals?

jdieck · 08/02/2006, 06:20 PM

....and bad for you. You must finding which equipemnt is the defective one and replace it. Turn all off and then turn on one at a time. Use a multitester to check the voltage between the water and the ground contact (the round one) of a three prung outlet as you connect one piece at a time.
Never use yourself as a test subject.
Also look into the installation of GFCI protected outlets, that could save your life.

atvdave · 08/02/2006, 07:15 PM

If you keep your outlets under your tank with your sump then the most Common cause for a small electrical shock is salt creep. ( they should put a sticky about this)

If you dont find any bad equipment with the way jdieck said, then keep all your power off and wipe down your electrical cords and outlets with a dry towel.

MAthU · 08/02/2006, 08:39 PM

all the corals/fish look fine good pe..humm i guess i have a big job tomorow.

affan · 08/02/2006, 09:07 PM

That's bad for you. You must find the piece of equipemnt which is defective and replace it. Turn all off and then turn on one at a time. Use a multitester to check the voltage between the water and the ground contact (the round one) of a three prong outlet as you connect one piece at a time.

Never use yourself as a test subject.

Also look into the installation of GFCI protected outlets, that could save your life.

JJohn · 08/02/2006, 10:32 PM

I had a similar issue, pretty solid shock if you put your hands in the water and then bumped the grounded MH lamp reflector. Finally eliminated every source except my return pump, a Rio 2500. Of course, that was the last thing I checked.

Tank voltage was 67 VAC to ground with the pump powered and zero when unplugged. It could have been much worse... It could have been lethal...

Replaced pump, upgraded to a better one while I was at it, problem solved. GFI's are probably the way to go.

John

PS: Only my yellow tang "jumped" when I got a shock. No coral, invert, or other fish indicated any problem

wetWolger · 08/02/2006, 10:45 PM

you may also want to check and make sure your ground is clean....compare your ground to your common line. If you have a dirty ground the multimeter may give false readings coming from the tank, it could also add electricity to the tank via a grounding probe. Electricity is nasty, ALWAYS use a GFI.

MAthU · 08/03/2006, 05:29 AM

im dumb whats a GFI? where do i get it, expensive?

thanks for all the info
matt

jdieck · 08/03/2006, 09:03 AM

GFI or GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupter) It is a device that installs either instead of your outlet or on extension cords to cut the power to the circuit almost instantaneously the moment it detects that current in the circuit is going the wrong path to ground, like when you touch something and get shocked, the current is going through you to ground rather than back into the other wire.
I am sure you have seen them in hotels or such usually in the bathroom. It is the thing that has two buttons on it one that say test and the other one that say reset.
http://www.codecheck.com/gfci_principal.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/gfci
http://home.howstuffworks.com/framed...llinggfci.asp?

MAthU · 08/03/2006, 09:09 AM

thanks. we have that for our pool lights, and in our washroom i just never noticed it. my dad the one that put all my outlets in does everything the cheepest way. thanks for that info and links!

matt

jdieck · 08/03/2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MAthU
thanks. we have that for our pool lights, and in our washroom i just never noticed it. my dad the one that put all my outlets in does everything the cheepest way. thanks for that info and links!

matt

Yes, in many states by electrical construction codes they must be installed any place where you and electricity or electrical devices may get in contact with water, this is kitchens, laundry, pools, spas, bathrooms and of course aquariums.

08/02/2006, 06:14 PM	#1
MAthU me Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: brantford ontario Posts: 469	electric current? i get a shock every time i put my hand in my systems... is this bad for my fish corals? __________________ tankless atm Current Tank Info: 27g custom~! sps

08/02/2006, 06:20 PM	#2
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	....and bad for you. You must finding which equipemnt is the defective one and replace it. Turn all off and then turn on one at a time. Use a multitester to check the voltage between the water and the ground contact (the round one) of a three prung outlet as you connect one piece at a time. Never use yourself as a test subject. Also look into the installation of GFCI protected outlets, that could save your life. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

08/02/2006, 08:39 PM	#4
MAthU me Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: brantford ontario Posts: 469	all the corals/fish look fine good pe..humm i guess i have a big job tomorow. __________________ tankless atm Current Tank Info: 27g custom~! sps

08/02/2006, 10:45 PM	#7
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	you may also want to check and make sure your ground is clean....compare your ground to your common line. If you have a dirty ground the multimeter may give false readings coming from the tank, it could also add electricity to the tank via a grounding probe. Electricity is nasty, ALWAYS use a GFI. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

08/03/2006, 05:29 AM	#8
MAthU me Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: brantford ontario Posts: 469	im dumb whats a GFI? where do i get it, expensive? thanks for all the info matt __________________ tankless atm Current Tank Info: 27g custom~! sps

08/02/2006, 07:15 PM	#3
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	If you keep your outlets under your tank with your sump then the most Common cause for a small electrical shock is salt creep. ( they should put a sticky about this) If you dont find any bad equipment with the way jdieck said, then keep all your power off and wipe down your electrical cords and outlets with a dry towel.

08/02/2006, 09:07 PM	#5
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	That's bad for you. You must find the piece of equipemnt which is defective and replace it. Turn all off and then turn on one at a time. Use a multitester to check the voltage between the water and the ground contact (the round one) of a three prong outlet as you connect one piece at a time. Never use yourself as a test subject. Also look into the installation of GFCI protected outlets, that could save your life.

08/02/2006, 10:32 PM	#6
JJohn Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 229	I had a similar issue, pretty solid shock if you put your hands in the water and then bumped the grounded MH lamp reflector. Finally eliminated every source except my return pump, a Rio 2500. Of course, that was the last thing I checked. Tank voltage was 67 VAC to ground with the pump powered and zero when unplugged. It could have been much worse... It could have been lethal... Replaced pump, upgraded to a better one while I was at it, problem solved. GFI's are probably the way to go. John PS: Only my yellow tang "jumped" when I got a shock. No coral, invert, or other fish indicated any problem

08/03/2006, 09:03 AM	#9
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	GFI or GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupter) It is a device that installs either instead of your outlet or on extension cords to cut the power to the circuit almost instantaneously the moment it detects that current in the circuit is going the wrong path to ground, like when you touch something and get shocked, the current is going through you to ground rather than back into the other wire. I am sure you have seen them in hotels or such usually in the bathroom. It is the thing that has two buttons on it one that say test and the other one that say reset. http://www.codecheck.com/gfci_principal.htm http://www.doityourself.com/stry/gfci http://home.howstuffworks.com/framed...llinggfci.asp? __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

08/03/2006, 09:09 AM	#10
MAthU me Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: brantford ontario Posts: 469	thanks. we have that for our pool lights, and in our washroom i just never noticed it. my dad the one that put all my outlets in does everything the cheepest way. thanks for that info and links! matt __________________ tankless atm Current Tank Info: 27g custom~! sps