Is Electricity Harmful

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BrynMichael

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2008
312
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Seattle, WA
fatfrogs.7.forumer.com
Ok so the other day I was barefoot and reached into one of my tanks and felt a tiny sting through a small cut on my finger. I figured out after removing everything and testing each appliance one at a time that my light somehow was putting a tiny electric current through my tank. I could only feel this current when barefoot and only through my cut. Now I have heard that this should have no effect on fish because they are not grounded. Hence why I only got a shock through a cut and when I was barefoot. Is this true that my fish will be fine. They haven't shown any signs of stress but it doesn't hurt to be cautious. If anyone has heard of something similar or knows anything about this please comment.
 
I have had fish act fine with stray current in the tank too, but you need to fix that ASAP for your sake and for the safety of anyone who may come in contact with your tank. It may not be bad now, but it will not fix itself.
 
Also, I read somewhere (can't remember where) that some are trying to associate stray current with HITH.
 
how can the lights put current into the tank? i thought lights where outside of the water. i just wounding for my information
 
A wire, condensation, or actually putting ur hand in the water and ur arm touching the live light. I had the problem with my old unit, used to shock myself all the time when i forgot and my wet forearm brushed against the light and current flows down my arm into the water. I got a new unit.
 
You don't want any electricity in the water. Too dangerous. An accident waiting to happen. The Doctor.
 
the human body produces a static electrical current. maybe fish do the same? or their was static in the air that got polarized into a small current flowing thru the tank and got released when you touched the water.
 
NO I am sorry, although these are all very good theories I have to say again that it is definitely from the lights. I am not sure how, but like I said I unplugged each appliance and plugged one in at a time and only when the lights were plugged in did it shock me. And only through my cut. I have dealt with something like this before just not in an aquarium. It is not a strong enough current to travel through skin alone. Since the human body is mainly water it is able to flow through a cut since it is the quickest way to a ground. Also it is not a very strong shock either it is more like if you were to put a few granules of salt on a cut (not bad). Now like I stated since it only happens if I am barefoot then it is not grounding until I touch the water. So this brings up my question again. Since the fish are not grounded and since it is such a weak current does it really pose a threat to them. I could care less what it does to me since I have been shocked/electrocuted/zapped plenty in my life time and it does not bother me. I am just worried about my fish. And as far as I can tell it does no visible harm. Sorry for ranting I just need to know if anyone has ever experienced something like this and if it will indeed effect the long-term health of my fish. Thanks.
 
Your fish will be fine, they are not touching the light or the floor are they?
 
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