downhill_biker Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Can anyone explain whether stray voltage is bad or not. I know I am getting small amounts of it because i get a small shock when i touch the water right. I have heard that it doesn't hurt anything to have some as long as it isn't grounded, but I have also heard that some people have grounding probes. Can someone help me out here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I would think it would be worse if it is not grounded being it would use you to ground itself. Not really shure, I have a grounding probe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCityAquarium Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I believe all heaters give off a small amount of stray voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I would second that from RoseCity. I was getting a shock from my freshwater tank before and come to find out there was a hair line crack in my heater. Who would have guessed that that would be leaking electricity into my tank. Wierd thing is the shock would make me jump but my fish weren't reacting at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 i am not so much worried about where the electricity is coming from as much as whether i need a grounding probe or not. stray voltage is common in many if not most tanks. mine is putting off a grand total of 11 volts. this is caused by a little from many things most likely. does anyone know weather it is better or worse to use a ground probe? who has one, and who doesn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I would second that from RoseCity. I was getting a shock from my freshwater tank before and come to find out there was a hair line crack in my heater. Who would have guessed that that would be leaking electricity into my tank. Wierd thing is the shock would make me jump but my fish weren't reacting at all. Thats because your fish arent grounded.As you stick your hand in the tank you are effectively grounding that circut(electricity passes through you hence the shock).Grounding probes eliminate this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 oh...well that makes sense. You could start a poll and see what others say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Everything electrical in a tank puts off an electric field - heaters, powerheads, etc. Add to this electric lights and salt spray for those tanks with attached canopies. I have used ground probes for over 15 years now. I also recommend the use of a GFIC - Ground Fault interrupter Circuit. I have found the GFCI to still serve it's purpose, and operate efficiently while using a ground probe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I did run across a good forum debate on this tonight... http://www.reefland.com/forum/equipment-archives/5785-argument-against-ground-probes.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Nice to know about the GFCI's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefaquarist Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 funny you should post this curtis i was just reading a good article a few days ago. http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/aquarist-found-dead/ soon i will add a ground probe a gfci also i pulled out my 12 year old sketchy glass heater good reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Of course, there are opposite opinions: http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GroundingProbes.html http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GFI&TechnicalDetails.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Odd...why aren't they consistant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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