hmmm I've never been shocked by any of my tanks, my pumps are all submersable and I always check the insulation fo the motor before puting it in the tank, I have 2 varieties of hob and submersable and haven't bee shocked by either. granting that the heater for my 55 is in the 10 gal sump and not in the tank.
GZZZZT Anyone else get electricuted by your tank?
- Thread starter John Rambo
- Start date
i've been shocked way too many times. it's my aquarium-based fear, http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235912 
second hand equipment plus saltwater plus monsters =
second hand equipment plus saltwater plus monsters =
Saltwater especially is prone to this. The salt eats through things. Plus you have all those inductive devices which impart a charge to the water. Both fresh and salt will end up with a voltage compared to ground.
Easy fix - Coralife Ground Probe PLUS GFCI breaker/outlet. The breaker should trip, but in the event that it doesn't, the ground probe SHOULD provide a better current path for any stray voltage compared to the one you might otherwise be providing with your hands and feet. ( hopefully )
I've been able to see the difference in my fish's behavior when I ground the tank compared to when I don't. Literally watch them change as I plug/unplug the ground probe a few years back. So I always ground the tanks now, it just seems prudent insurance.
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S
Easy fix - Coralife Ground Probe PLUS GFCI breaker/outlet. The breaker should trip, but in the event that it doesn't, the ground probe SHOULD provide a better current path for any stray voltage compared to the one you might otherwise be providing with your hands and feet. ( hopefully )
I've been able to see the difference in my fish's behavior when I ground the tank compared to when I don't. Literally watch them change as I plug/unplug the ground probe a few years back. So I always ground the tanks now, it just seems prudent insurance.
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S
Just a minor correction,
Saltwater is prone to shocking because salt water readily conducts electric current. Freshwater insulates against electric current.
Typically electric current in the tank is due to a bad ground or no ground on a device. If you have any three prong plugs that you've engineered to fit a two prong outlet, that's your culprit, otherwise, it's most likely the heater.
Saltwater is prone to shocking because salt water readily conducts electric current. Freshwater insulates against electric current.
Typically electric current in the tank is due to a bad ground or no ground on a device. If you have any three prong plugs that you've engineered to fit a two prong outlet, that's your culprit, otherwise, it's most likely the heater.
never from my tank, i have zapped myself a few times at school though. i am going to be an electrician.
Yep. Kneeled down on the floor to get a better look. I had apparently grounded myself because as soon as I reached in. ZAP! It'll wake you up in the morning.
Its never happened to me personally,but I have heard a story about a guy here in Holland who was an experienced keeper and then one day he put his hand in and ZAP.
He got done so bad that he actually died... don't know if its a true story or a myth, but since I heard it I turn off the power to the tank before I ever put my hand in!
He got done so bad that he actually died... don't know if its a true story or a myth, but since I heard it I turn off the power to the tank before I ever put my hand in!
