JManrow Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 As far as making a DIY ground probe, it is simple as attaching a titanium bicycle spoke to a length of wire, with the other end attached to a ground prong of an electrical plug. The titanium is the only part that is in the tank. The other end of the length of wire can also be attached to the electric outlet cover screw. You should be able to purchase a titanium bicycle spoke at most bicycle shops. This should be way easier to find than locating titanium welding rods I used to make probes with years go! I bent the section of rod in a "U" shape and set it on the edge of the tank with one end in the water, and the other attached to regular coated copper wire. I covered the wire end/titanium connection with a short piece of aquarium air tubing, then filled the tubing with epoxy glue to prevent any exposure to saltwater. I do like the commercially made grounds with the two plastic flat prongs and a metal ground prong though, just for simplicity of installation. Aside from this, always use a GFCI. Faulty equipment, such as a heater, can kill every coral, invert, and fish in your tank. I know this from personal experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 You know that I am a big fan of DIY but for something that sells for around $10 it is not worth my time and money to try to make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I hear you Dave. They are much easier to buy. I have my old DIY probe sitting in storage box(there were none available to buy when I made it), and a store-bought one on my tank now. Was just a FYI post in case anyone was interested... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yes! Electrician to the rescue! One clarification about the grounding probe Dave for those of us that live in old houses. This only works if, in fact, you have legitimate three prong grounded outlets as you are taking advantage of the ground wire in a 3-wire electical system correct? I ask because I have lived in houses where there are 3 prong outlets that are not actually grounded! Always a good idea to check... Of course, if you live in a house with modern electircal service and functional GFI you should be good to go. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks for posting this! I got as far as the copper wire hooked up to an outlet plug, but got stumped for finding a non-copper part to expose to my tank. A bicycle spoke is a good idea. As far as making a DIY ground probe, it is simple as attaching a titanium bicycle spoke to a length of wire, with the other end attached to a ground prong of an electrical plug. The titanium is the only part that is in the tank. The other end of the length of wire can also be attached to the electric outlet cover screw. You should be able to purchase a titanium bicycle spoke at most bicycle shops. This should be way easier to find than locating titanium welding rods I used to make probes with years go! I bent the section of rod in a "U" shape and set it on the edge of the tank with one end in the water, and the other attached to regular coated copper wire. I covered the wire end/titanium connection with a short piece of aquarium air tubing, then filled the tubing with epoxy glue to prevent any exposure to saltwater. I do like the commercially made grounds with the two plastic flat prongs and a metal ground prong though, just for simplicity of installation. Aside from this, always use a GFCI. Faulty equipment, such as a heater, can kill every coral, invert, and fish in your tank. I know this from personal experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 AWESOME!!! I am so glad to hear this. I really wasn't sure what to think. Just needed some clearification. I will add a grounding probe soon. One thing to remember with the DIY vs. store bought: the copper is in close contact with the tank, where the store bought is coated and probably a little better built. As far as my powerheads, bigalsonline.com is going to replace both of them for free, I just pay shipping. I am so glad. One powerhead is giving major problems about 20 volts, and the other is giving 2 volts. They agreed to replace both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Cool glad to hear you figured it out! Nothing scarier than getting a little jolt every time you stick your hand in your tank eek! Thats even better they are replacing them for you, thats god customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 AWESOME!!! I am so glad to hear this. I really wasn't sure what to think. Just needed some clearification. I will add a grounding probe soon. One thing to remember with the DIY vs. store bought: the copper is in close contact with the tank, where the store bought is coated and probably a little better built. As far as my powerheads, bigalsonline.com is going to replace both of them for free, I just pay shipping. I am so glad. One powerhead is giving major problems about 20 volts, and the other is giving 2 volts. They agreed to replace both. Whether one is better quality depends on the workmanship of the hobbyist or of the manufacturer. The ground probes offered now seem to be well made, and well worth the $15 to $20. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~miscellaneous_titanium_grounding_probe.html I would avoid cheaply made ones that may use stainless steel, as some manufactured goods are real garbage.(whistle) Here is an article from the Reefs.org library. I am including the link as the article mentions stray voltage affecting the lateral line of fish, and suppressing the immune system. http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/996/996_5.html I know that Big Al's has been around for awhile. It sounds like they have been good with their customer service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks guys. Yes, I am finding out that their customer service is top notch. It is refreshing to find such a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Wow. I am glad you finally got this worked out. I was giving this alot of thought at home on my off days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 Ended up buying a grounding probe as well. Got it from Aquaserene. Had my VOM meter hooked up, and as soon as I plugged the probe in, the meter dropped to 0. I am so glad this is over with, everything will be much happier now. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny503 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 This topic have great information... i never have a thought about this, but now I am going to buy at ground probe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks for the update Curtis. I am glad the stray voltage went away with the addition of the grounding probe. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks for your insight, it was most helpful. You are exactly the person we needed, just had to wait a couple days to find you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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