Please help with stray voltage in tank..

[Paul B]

That is India, they don't have the National Electrical code and I am sure many splices there are in open air. I have done plenty of traveling throughout the world and it is amazing the world doesn't burn up with some of the electrical work out there.
And I am an electrician

 

[Ontheway]

Is it possible to monitor stray voltage in a tank via one of Apex gadgets?

 

[nanomania]

Is it possible to monitor stray voltage in a tank via one of Apex gadgets?

Iv heard many apex failures.. i guess if u know the famous sanjay joshi (he too is from mumbai, settled in usa), he had a system crash coz if apex.. i personally dont like such stuff.. i guess good timers, a good ato and autofeeder during a vacation. Is good enough.. i guess profilux is fail proof..

 

[nanomania]

That is India, they don't have the National Electrical code and I am sure many splices there are in open air. I have done plenty of traveling throughout the world and it is amazing the world doesn't burn up with some of the electrical work out there.
And I am an electrician

Wow.. thts kool.. next time u visit india, dont forget to explore lakshadweep.. one of the most underestimated reefs in the world.. if u enjoy scuba..[emoji4]

 

[Paul B]

I may do that some day. Thanks

 

[Pagerone]

Hey guys i am really frustrated of the stray voltage in my tank.. i recently changed all the pumps that were old and bought all new ones.. i just dont know why there still is the voltage.. its frustraging.. i hve read many reviews and watched many videos on grounding probe, but getting all mixed reviews. Im absolutely confused... need help from some one who had same problem and solved it..

There is no way to get ride of it the grounding probe dose not work it's just how much is in there you have to worry about every aquarium has it because there are wires in the water so plug one thing at a time in and check voltage the one that puts off the most make sure it's running right or if it's old change it then do a over all check with everything on at the same time , but this is something that will always be there it's just a matter on how much

 

[nanomania]

There is no way to get ride of it the grounding probe dose not work it's just how much is in there you have to worry about every aquarium has it because there are wires in the water so plug one thing at a time in and check voltage the one that puts off the most make sure it's running right or if it's old change it then do a over all check with everything on at the same time , but this is something that will always be there it's just a matter on how much

Its the diy float switch... i guess im buyin hydor smart level..

 

[1stNoel]

The use of a multimeter to test for stray voltage is a must. During all my years in the hobby most of the times I thought I had significant stray voltage in the tank, it was not stray voltage but just small cuts on my fingers from handling rocks! lol Those very small cuts sometimes make us feel the pinch from just to the contact with the salt or small normal stray voltage in the tank. If the voltage is significant try to find the culprit.

I recently received a shock from my aquarium. I did have a noticeable papercut on my finger (can someone give me the one second cliff notes version of why that makes a difference? would wearing gloves make a difference?).

So I purchased a digital multimeter, set it to read AC 200 Voltage (the only options it gave me were 200 & 600). I placed the black probe into my UPS and the other in various areas of the tank. Here are my readings:

• Sump 1 (0.2) = contains my skimmer, reactor and return pump;
• Sump 2 (0.0) = contains 2 heaters, 1 powerhead, and return pump,
• Main Display (0.7) = contains 2 Gyres and 2 Kessil AP700s mounted 7" over the waterline

I checked about 3 times. On the second time, I noticed a surge up to 46.8 in one area of the tank...but couldn't replicate it. It's only on this section of the tank that I get shocked, but I've been told it's all over the tank...that particular area is just where I keep making a ground connection. Here's what I was doing when I got shocked: 1) adjusting the overflow box, 2) retrieving a nori clip inside the tank, and 3) changing the filter sock in the sump which is directly below that area.

Without a consistent reading of stray voltage, how do I determine where it's leaking from?

 

[nanomania]

This hobby is sometimes stressful

 

[nanomania]

Im still using diy float switch without relay. Jus replaced the float switch. No current as of now. Have heard some bad reviews about hydor, so waiting to make using batteries.

 

[Pagerone]

I recently received a shock from my aquarium. I did have a noticeable papercut on my finger (can someone give me the one second cliff notes version of why that makes a difference? would wearing gloves make a difference?).

So I purchased a digital multimeter, set it to read AC 200 Voltage (the only options it gave me were 200 & 600). I placed the black probe into my UPS and the other in various areas of the tank. Here are my readings:

• Sump 1 (0.2) = contains my skimmer, reactor and return pump;
• Sump 2 (0.0) = contains 2 heaters, 1 powerhead, and return pump,
• Main Display (0.7) = contains 2 Gyres and 2 Kessil AP700s mounted 7" over the waterline

I checked about 3 times. On the second time, I noticed a surge up to 46.8 in one area of the tank...but couldn't replicate it. It's only on this section of the tank that I get shocked, but I've been told it's all over the tank...that particular area is just where I keep making a ground connection. Here's what I was doing when I got shocked: 1) adjusting the overflow box, 2) retrieving a nori clip inside the tank, and 3) changing the filter sock in the sump which is directly below that area.

Without a consistent reading of stray voltage, how do I determine where it's leaking from?

That's a lot 46.8 you need to narrow it down something in the tank is leaking the voltage test voltage one at a time and you will find out with equipment is faulty then replace , everyone had some stray voltage with all the wires going into the water also make sure you are hooked up to a GFCI ok any more questions please ask I can make I video for you how to make a GFCI with a cord coming off of it if you would like

 

[1stNoel]

That's a lot 46.8 you need to narrow it down something in the tank is leaking the voltage test voltage one at a time and you will find out with equipment is faulty then replace , everyone had some stray voltage with all the wires going into the water also make sure you are hooked up to a GFCI ok any more questions please ask I can make I video for you how to make a GFCI with a cord coming off of it if you would like

I appreciate the feedback.

I tried the main culprits (heaters and pumps) in a separate 5 gallon bucket of saltwater., but I can't replicate the voltage spike.

I've also placed a few 1/2" thick foam mats in front of the tank to insulate myself whenever I'm working on it. I haven't been zapped since.

All of my equipment is hooked up to ADJ power strips. Stupid question...but does that cover the GFCI requirement? I attached a picture of it below...

 

[wes_slavens]

I actually just went through this the other day but I actually got shocked. I had my hand on my metal stand and put my hand in the water in the sump and boom. So then I had to repeat shocking my self and unplugging things as I went, not a real fun process. Ended up being a pump that was running my gfo reactor.

 

[nanomania]

I ordered a hydor smart level ato.. got a shock again... [emoji17]

 

[Averill]

You can change all the equipment you want and it may never solve the problem. What you have to do is ground or earth the water in the tank. If you have a sump the return pipe has to be cut and put in a rigid solid steel piece. Put a j clamp on that and run #8 copper wire to ground some way. It may take putting in another ground rod just for that. Electricity flows to the path of least resistance so if you upsize the wire it would be better. And providing a ground is displacing the energy back to the earth and then back to the power supply through the ground instead of going through your whole tank.

 

[Averill]

Also everything metal should be grounded as well. Whether you have a metal stand or metal lights that you can change the cords on or anything metal period within 6' of the tank

 

[1stNoel]

I appreciate the feedback.

I tried the main culprits (heaters and pumps) in a separate 5 gallon bucket of saltwater., but I can't replicate the voltage spike.

I've also placed a few 1/2" thick foam mats in front of the tank to insulate myself whenever I'm working on it. I haven't been zapped since.

All of my equipment is hooked up to ADJ power strips. Stupid question...but does that cover the GFCI requirement? I attached a picture of it below...

I found the culprit: it was a powerhead. Problem solved!

 

[nanomania]

The hydor ato was pathetic, sent it back. Currently im doing a manual ato. I dont have any stray voltage any more. Yes i will be making a diy grounding probe.