Need help tracking down a stray voltage

[ToXIc]

ok guys so i recently lost 15 fishes due to ich.. turns out i had around 20v of stay voltage in the tank which probably stressed the, out soo much they couldnt fight the ich... so i added a grounding probe which takes the voltage down to 0.0v but i want to find out whats causing it..

now here's my wiring

whats not in the pic is a 2nd switched power strip...

so i have a main strip with a built in gfi plug, then 2 coralife digital timer strips and 2 switched power strips all 4 going to the main.

so i unplugged all 4 stripes one by one but still got around 20v.. so then i totally disconnected all power and the voltage dropped to 3-4v...

what gives? am i not waiting till the voltage dissipates?

whats your experiences tracing down stray voltages..

 

[swannyson7]

That's odd that you're still measuring stray voltage with everything unplugged. It might be someting to do with your vortech... the backup battery would allow stray current with everything unplugged.

 

[ToXIc]

That's odd that you're still measuring stray voltage with everything unplugged. It might be someting to do with your vortech... the backup battery would allow stray current with everything unplugged.

Sorry I forgot to mention that I unplugged it also.


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[swannyson7]

How are you measuring the voltage?

 

[ToXIc]

I borrowed a fluke meter from work. And got it on AC.


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[swannyson7]

What are you using for a ground?

 

[ToXIc]

Using the ground probe and also the ground in an extension cord.


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[MitchReef]

If there is no source of power I can't see how there could be stray voltage. Anybody got a good explanation?

 

[swannyson7]

Is there anything in or around the tank that isn't plugged into the power strips? Fans over your sump, lights in the tank stand, anything? Even if it isn't noticably making contact with the water, I'd unplug it to be sure. Not sure what could be causing the problems, but it shouldn't need to dissapate if there is a grounding probe in place and nothing is plugged in. Maybe a faulty voltmeter?

 

[VegasRick]

Fluorescent bulbs might cause some induction, seen that before. If you have fluorescents make sure the light frame is grounded. Usually it gets traced back to power heads or heaters and occasionally pumps. If the vortechs are DC then you might check to see if there is DC voltage. A 3v measurement with all power sources removed may just be a difference in potential.

 

[Reefer831]

Where did you find the ground probe and how does it work?

 

[swannyson7]

Where did you find the ground probe and how does it work?

It's just a rod made out if titanium that provides a ground for the tank so that stray current has a means of escaping. I'm sure several of our sponsors carry them. I recommend them on any tank because they're cheap and provide some peace of mind.

 

[Reefer831]

It's just a rod made out if titanium that provides a ground for the tank so that stray current has a means of escaping. I'm sure several of our sponsors carry them. I recommend them on any tank because they're cheap and provide some peace of mind.

thanks can you point me to any of those sponsors...I know there is current in my tank cause once in a while I get shocked when I put my hands in the tank...mostly when I have a small cut on my fingers...so how does this affect the corals and fish..and how bad is it. thanks!!!!

 

[ToXIc]

Is there anything in or around the tank that isn't plugged into the power strips? Fans over your sump, lights in the tank stand, anything? Even if it isn't noticably making contact with the water, I'd unplug it to be sure. Not sure what could be causing the problems, but it shouldn't need to dissapate if there is a grounding probe in place and nothing is plugged in. Maybe a faulty voltmeter?

Nothing the tank is in the corner of the room.. The meter is a fluke multimeter that has been working fine.

When the probe is in I read 0.0v I'm only getting the stray voltage when it's out..

It's just a rod made out if titanium that provides a ground for the tank so that stray current has a means of escaping. I'm sure several of our sponsors carry them. I recommend them on any tank because they're cheap and provide some peace of mind.

Yes the probes help reducing current but shouldn't be used as a band aid. If there is voltage it should be traced out

 

[swannyson7]

Yes the probes help reducing current but shouldn't be used as a band aid. If there is voltage it should be traced out

Agreed, but unfortunately we don't usually realize that we have stray current until we see visual signs in our livestock. I check my tank for stray current during my monthly maintenance, but that leaves plenty of time for problems to arise without my knowledge.

 

[Kevinw]

Try checking the extention cord ground to a water pipe or to the ground at another outlet in your house. If you have a gfci in there it should trip.

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

OK - I have a stupid question... how high does the stray voltage have to be in a tank before you'd actually feel it when you stick your hand in the tank? I do have a titanium ground in my tank - but am thinking I should periodically borrow our club voltage meter, disconnect my ground, and test the display and sump just to make sure I don't have any stray voltage (and also test to make aure my ground is working).

 

[nixer]

Fluorescent bulbs might cause some induction, seen that before. If you have fluorescents make sure the light frame is grounded. Usually it gets traced back to power heads or heaters and occasionally pumps. If the vortechs are DC then you might check to see if there is DC voltage. A 3v measurement with all power sources removed may just be a difference in potential.

all electrical parts of a vortech is external of the tank!

Try checking the extention cord ground to a water pipe or to the ground at another outlet in your house. If you have a gfci in there it should trip.

water pipe? really dude thats a good way to rupture a thin water pipe.

OK - I have a stupid question... how high does the stray voltage have to be in a tank before you'd actually feel it when you stick your hand in the tank? I do have a titanium ground in my tank - but am thinking I should periodically borrow our club voltage meter, disconnect my ground, and test the display and sump just to make sure I don't have any stray voltage (and also test to make aure my ground is working).

well in saltwater it doesnt take much before you feel it. if you have a cut on your hand or thin skinned it will also compound it.

 

[ToXIc]

ok so i played around with this some more..

i have to correct myself.. i'm not sure why i was getting the 3v with everything unplugged but now its gone..

now for the new..
although my water is reading 0.00v due to the grounding probe my wire management is still showing the +/- 20v..
also when going over the system i found that the 20v is a total and not a single offender..
basically when i was removing/adding the power strips to the main strip the voltage went up and down in various amounts and totaled 20v with everything plugged in..

what i'm really wondering is if the voltage is bleeding trough the cords insulation and the wire management is acting like a capacitor????

 

[NeverlosT]

it wont be the vortechs, their electrical parts are all out of the water.

Im betting heater. Mine have done this plennnnnty. zap