Using ground probes in aquariums
- Thread starter Brew12
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Its largely a matter of opinion. I haven't seen any research done on electricity in aquariums. I run with a ground probe and GFCI's. I have seen some connections made between HTTLE in fish and sliming in corals. I don't think this matters if it is fault current or induced so the only way to get rid of it is with a ground probe. Its also possible for damaged electrical equipment to leach copper and toxins into the water which I also worry about. Having it trip on GFCI is the fastest way to know you have an issue so you can respond.
Of course, the flip side is that if a GFCI trips while you are gone for a few days, and you don't have redundancy, no flow and heat will take out coral and fish too.
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
That would be a lot of work. If you don't have a free outlet for your GFCI on your EB8's can you run an extension cord from another outlet to plug your probe into? You could also use a splitter at the wall outlet to add a receptacle.
Ghxst
Well-Known Member
Neither is an option as I rent and the next outlet has the CO alarm in it. If I bought a 6’ copper rod 5/8”can I connect the probe to it as it’s own ground? A 6’copper rod could be concealed behind the tank at least.
This is a great discussion!!
So I’m running two power strips on two separate outlets (non-GFCI) and no probe. So now I’m going to Lowe’s to get two GFCI adaptors and a titanium grounding probe. So my question is: can I install the GFCI adaptors and simply plug the powerstips into the same outlet as before or do I plug them directly into the GFCI adaptor? Also would I plug the grounding probe into the outlets or could I plug it into one of the powerstips??
So I’m running two power strips on two separate outlets (non-GFCI) and no probe. So now I’m going to Lowe’s to get two GFCI adaptors and a titanium grounding probe. So my question is: can I install the GFCI adaptors and simply plug the powerstips into the same outlet as before or do I plug them directly into the GFCI adaptor? Also would I plug the grounding probe into the outlets or could I plug it into one of the powerstips??
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
A splitter should be an option. Plug this into where you plug in your EB8, then plug your EB8 into one side and the ground probe in another.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Axis-3-Outlet-Heavy-Duty-Grounding-Adapter-45092/206346665
Without doing a soil analysis, I can't tell you if a 6' copper rod would be appropriate. You may need a longer rod or you may need 2 spaced apart based on soil conductivity.
As long as the power strip is UL listed you can plug the ground probe into it. Part of the UL listing is that the ground connection is carried through without interruption from each outlet through the plug.
Ghxst
Well-Known Member
Can I put the grounding probe in my apex then? It should be UL. The splitter won’t fit in the water proof box and my basement is finished ( I was under the impression this whole time that just the copper alone would do it, whoops)
I appreciate the help!
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Yup, I have tested the EB8 personally and their grounds are solidly connected. If you have an unused receptacle on it, that would be a fine location.
If you ever decide you need that receptacle later you could go with something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlim...d=1513612148&sr=8-29&keywords=outlet+splitter
Plug the EB8 into one, the ground probe into the other.
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Nope. What I linked him to was this.
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Those posts are written for good reason. I have found more than a few cheap older power strips that don't have the ground connected correctly.
Ghxst
Well-Known Member
Good to know why! Thanks again. 2 last questions that will get me all set. Does my eb8 have to have the outlet the ground probe is in, in the on position as if I was using it or can it be off to still obtain the ground? And how can I tell if the wall outlet is ground itself? I really appreciate it!!
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
No, the outlet does not have to be on for the ground probe to work in the EB8.
Do you have a meter that will read resistance? Or voltage?
coweyes298
Active Member
My titanium ground probe is this.
What I did is having the fork like contact stick to the ground prong of ADJ strip. ( I have a wall plug, two outlets. One is for ADJ 8 switches power strip, one is for my GHL powerbar.)
Is this the right way to connect?
What I did is having the fork like contact stick to the ground prong of ADJ strip. ( I have a wall plug, two outlets. One is for ADJ 8 switches power strip, one is for my GHL powerbar.)
Is this the right way to connect?
Ghxst
Well-Known Member
I was told that I can set the fluke to 200ohms and put one needle in the ground and one on the screw of the cover plate to see if it is ground. It should make a sound if so.
Is this correct info?
Is this correct info?
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
My preferred way is to plug in an extension cord to a different outlet, and test resistance from the ground prong on the extension cord to the outlet. In my opinion, this is the most foolproof method.
