Grounding Probe Question - sump only?

[artieg1]

Several questions.

(1) Can someone please send a link to a simple but accurate device for measuring stray voltage? I've looked and they get complicated quickly.
(2) HLLE is slowing creeping in, so I want to hit all possibilities. I have a 100 gallon sump in basement, with heaters and skimmer and other submersible reactor pumps. 200 gallon DT is upstairs, with a only a gyre running into the water (other pump is a Vortech MP40, so no stray electricity). If I use a ground probe, where should it go, sump or DT? Should I get two? Can electricity leaking in the sump conduct through the 20+ foot return line and appear in the DT?

Thanks.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Check out this thread by @Brew12
He's our resident electrician. He would be the best person to ask

Using ground probes in aquariums

Why is it that some people refuse to put a grounding probe in their aquarium? I've seen many arguments against using them, some of which are based on what I believe to be bad information. I want to make the case for why every aquarium should have a grounding probe installed. We have these...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[W1ngz]

Any multimeter can measure stray voltage, you just need a probe that can fit into the socket slit. When I last checked, I just used a power bar to make it easier to reach, dropped one lead of the multimeter into the water, and used the free probe on each side of the socket in turn.

And yes, any uninterrupted flow of water can carry voltage between the display and the other tanks. The connection is broken if the return pump gets turned off and the line fills with air.

 

[Brew12]

Check out this thread by @Brew12
He's our resident electrician. He would be the best person to ask

Thanks for the call out!

(1) Can someone please send a link to a simple but accurate device for measuring stray voltage? I've looked and they get complicated quickly.

This isn't the cheapest option, but right now it's on sale and a great value imo.

(2) HLLE is slowing creeping in, so I want to hit all possibilities. I have a 100 gallon sump in basement, with heaters and skimmer and other submersible reactor pumps. 200 gallon DT is upstairs, with a only a gyre running into the water (other pump is a Vortech MP40, so no stray electricity). If I use a ground probe, where should it go, sump or DT? Should I get two? Can electricity leaking in the sump conduct through the 20+ foot return line and appear in the DT?

One ground probe in the sump will be enough.
Do you run your equipment on a GFCI? If not, I would recommend picking up something like this to use for testing.


There are two basic types of voltage we can get in our tanks. The first is induced which is caused by the interaction of magnetic fields and the water in our tanks. Not much we can do about this other than use a ground probe.

The 2nd type of voltage we worry about is a fault voltage. This means there is an exposed energized conductor in our water. Not only is this a voltage issue but it is also likely leaking contaminants into our tank water. The best way to find this, imo, is to use a combination of a GFCI and a ground probe.