Using ground probes in aquariums

[Cresta]

Brew12,

Early on, you said a grounding probe wouldn't be much use to freshwater tanks, as freshwater act very differently than saltwater. What would you suggest to use in grounding stray voltage in freshwater tanks?

I think it was mentioned that voltage goes "around the fish" in saltwater and "through the fish" in freshwater. So would it be correct to assume, if there's a gadget leaking voltage in freshwater, first sign will be that all fish in the tank will be dead?

Second question.... I know you said you prefer to have grounding probe plug directly to a wall outlet, but via a power strip will be also be okay. This is to avoid plugging into a non-grounded power strip, giving a false sense of protection. Will using a receptacle tester (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Gear-3-Wire-Receptacle-Tester-50542/206212329), help verify that the power strip in question is working/grounded correctly?

Thanks!

 

[Brew12]

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?

Sorry! I had replied to this and just noticed it never posted. That is not a good way to install the ground probe. Since you have a type without a plug there are 2 proper ways to connect it. The preferred way is to connect it to the ground wire where it connects to the receptacle (behind the cover). You can also connect it to a screw from a metal housing as long as that housing is grounded. For example, a grounded light fixture frame screw.

 

[Brew12]

Early on, you said a grounding probe wouldn't be much use to freshwater tanks, as freshwater act very differently than saltwater. What would you suggest to use in grounding stray voltage in freshwater tanks?

You should never be able to develop a stray voltage in fresh water so there is no need to ground. With a strong enough source and ground path it would be just like electrofishing.

Second question.... I know you said you prefer to have grounding probe plug directly to a wall outlet, but via a power strip will be also be okay. This is to avoid plugging into a non-grounded power strip, giving a false sense of protection. Will using a receptacle tester (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Gear-3-Wire-Receptacle-Tester-50542/206212329), help verify that the power strip in question is working/grounded correctly?

I can only assume it would work. I'm not familiar with how these devices actually work.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

great thread!
I myself wont run any system with out a ground probe!

 

[MrOutCastX]

Is just one probe good enough for both the display and sump? Or would it be smart to put one in each?

 

[Brew12]

Is just one probe good enough for both the display and sump? Or would it be smart to put one in each?

One in the sump is just fine. The only time it won't also cover the DT is when the return pump is off.

 

[BigJohnny]

I saw a YouTube video a while back where a guy tested ground probes on an empty tank and they were only removing like 30% of the voltage from the tank. There was still 40+ volts in the tank from a simulated heater failure. Thoughts?

 

[Brew12]

I saw a YouTube video a while back where a guy tested ground probes on an empty tank and they were only removing like 30% of the voltage from the tank. There was still 40+ volts in the tank from a simulated heater failure. Thoughts?

My thought is that he was either being purposefully deceptive or he had no idea what he was doing and didn't simulate it correctly.

If you are referring to the one with the guy doing the testing in a bucket in his garage, he was using tap water, not salt water. Had he used salt water the breaker would have tripped immediately even without the ground probe since the exposed neutral wire is also tied to ground. The fact he didn't seem to understand this simple fact tells me he doesn't understand electricity very well. It upsets me that so many people see that particular video and think ground probes don't work or are dangerous.

 

[BigJohnny]

Ah ok, it was a long time ago so I'm not sure but sounds like the guy. Maybe you should make a YouTube video demonstrating that they work and then post it and link here, once it gets more views yours will pop up first.

Recommendation on a ground probe?

Also, is there any situation where it's actually more dangerous?

Thanks

 

[Brew12]

Ah ok, it was a long time ago so I'm not sure but sounds like the guy. Maybe you should make a YouTube video demonstrating that they work and then post it and link here, once it gets more views yours will pop up first.

Recommendation on a ground probe?

Also, is there any situation where it's actually more dangerous?

Thanks

I'm not much of a social media guy. That might be about the only topic that would get me to make and post a video. I'll give it some thought.

Ground probes are so simple I'm not sure you can go wrong as long as you get it from a reputable source. Just make sure it has a plug on the end unless you are comfortable wiring in the ring lug style. Some have both the plug and the ring lug which is fine since you can use one or the other.

There is one situation where it is more dangerous, but only marginally so. If you had a ground probe, no GFCI, an electrical fault that involved the hot wire but not the neutral, and the fault had enough resistance to cause less than 20 amps to flow, the ground probe could make things worse. How likely is that? Not very. But, it is possible.

 

[Rolrod39]

Ground probes are a must. If your in the saltwater hobby you have 10 to 15 bucks to buy a ground probes. Just do it.

 

[BigJohnny]

I'm not much of a social media guy. That might be about the only topic that would get me to make and post a video. I'll give it some thought.

Ground probes are so simple I'm not sure you can go wrong as long as you get it from a reputable source. Just make sure it has a plug on the end unless you are comfortable wiring in the ring lug style. Some have both the plug and the ring lug which is fine since you can use one or the other.

There is one situation where it is more dangerous, but only marginally so. If you had a ground probe, no GFCI, an electrical fault that involved the hot wire but not the neutral, and the fault had enough resistance to cause less than 20 amps to flow, the ground probe could make things worse. How likely is that? Not very. But, it is possible.

Does the ground probe itself need to be plugged into a gfci? All my equipment is either gfci or gfci/arc protected.

 

[BigJohnny]

Ground probes are a must. If your in the saltwater hobby you have 10 to 15 bucks to buy a ground probes. Just do it.

I think the reason more people don't have them is lack of information or misinformation. I thought they didn't do anything based on some stuff I read/videos.

 

[Brew12]

Does the ground probe itself need to be plugged into a gfci? All my equipment is either gfci or gfci/arc protected.

Nope. As long as it is plugged into any outlet it will work. The grounds in your house are all tied together in your electrical panel where it is also connected to the neutral wiring. This is either connected to a metal pipe or a copper rod driven into the ground by your house.

I'm glad you are using GFCI!

 

[Brew12]

I think the reason more people don't have them is lack of information or misinformation. I thought they didn't do anything based on some stuff I read/videos.

I do agree. That was why I put together this post in the first place.

 

[BigJohnny]

I do agree. That was why I put together this post in the first place.

This should be a sticky. Could save people's lives right? I've seen less important things as stickies lol. Ask a staff member. I bet over 75% don't use ground probes.

 

[BigJohnny]

Is this a reputable brand?

 

[Brew12]

This should be a sticky. Could save people's lives right? I've seen less important things as stickies lol. Ask a staff member. I bet over 75% don't use ground probes.

This is a sticky! It's in the reef aquarium discussions section.

Is this a reputable brand?

Yup, I would be comfortable using that one.

 

[BigJohnny]

This is a sticky! It's in the reef aquarium discussions section.

I digress.........

Yup, I would be comfortable using that one.

Great, thanks.

 

[Brew12]

I digress.........


Great, thanks.

Let's see how this turns out... could be interesting.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poll-use-of-ground-probes.349421/