Water+ Electricity+ Aquarium= No one died?

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C

charles-n-charge

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Aug 28, 2010
1,644
3
68
Livingston Tx
I walked into my room and slipped (damn pacus splash water all over the floor all the time... Really need to get rid of them) and I hit my 35g tropical community tank on the way down. When I hit it, the lid and light fell into the water and the tank almost fell over. The light was in the water for about 15 seconds, and I got a huge electric shock from touching the water when I pulled it out.
None of the fish are dead or harmed at all, and my hand is still numb and sore 20 minutes later from the shock..
How did the fish survive???
 
Electricity flows through the path of least resistance to get to a ground. It was around the fish, but had no reason to flow through them, so they weren't affected. Also, in the future, if a light or anything else plugged in hits the water, UNPLUG IT, THEN get it out.
 
Hello; I installed a GFI outlet where my new tank setups are going this past week. When I move a currently setup tank another GFI will go into the wall. I have been "bit" a few times over the years. Much more often in the past when tanks had metal frames and hoods were stainless steel. The fish never seemed to notice. Do unplug equipment before sticking your hand in the water.
On a non GFI outlet I have been putting a power strip into that and the tank equipment into the power strip. I try to mount the power strip higher than a tank. It is easy to turn the power strip off before i fool with any tank equipment. I think there are power strips with GFI built in available. Take precautions while the memory is still fresh.
 
I've had lights fall partway into the tank a few times. I just grab the plastic part and don't touch the water, then leave it on to dry. Of course, if a light fell all the way in, you'd be unplugging it before touching the water.
 
I do't know about the slime coat thing. But the fact that you were the ground is why you felt it.
 
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