Who has a grounding probe in their tank? - Page 2

Norstar · #1 02-11-2009, 10:37 PM

A couple of dumb questions.

1. Should you have a probe in both the sump and the aquarium?
2. Can you not make your own ground probe with a piece of insulated copper or aluminum wire?

RnR · #2 02-17-2009, 06:24 PM

Before u buy one buy a voltage stick put just the tip in your water or on the glass even and see if it lights up if it does you need one if it dosent you dont have a ground problem

Johnny Reefer · #3 02-10-2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loveless

Where do you get said grounding probe. And also how is it used. I understand that it is used for stray voltage, but how is it applied/hooked up???

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...oduct_ID=mc-gp

http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...ounding-Probe/

digital-audiophile · #4 02-10-2009, 02:20 PM

Easy as pie to hook up. One end is just a plastic probe, like a temp probe, and then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.

lastlight · #5 02-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Does it matter whether it's direct into the wall or into a controller's power bar?

Sushiman · #6 02-10-2009, 03:38 PM

ah you're not a true reef aquariust until you've been electrocuted by your own tank.

Sigh* ah the memories.

digital-audiophile · #7 02-10-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Does it matter whether it's direct into the wall or into a controller's power bar?

I would imagine the controller would be just fine, as long as you set that specific outllet to "always on"

Doug · #8 02-10-2009, 05:12 PM

I always run a ground probe and GFI.

If you find my thread where the arc went from my pendant to my forehead, when I had the probe out and was fine with it in, {current leaking from a stream pump}, you will see why, plus some good posts there from electric oriented aquarists.

mike31154 · #9 02-17-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

I always run a ground probe and GFI.

If you find my thread where the arc went from my pendant to my forehead, when I had the probe out and was fine with it in, {current leaking from a stream pump}, you will see why, plus some good posts there from electric oriented aquarists.

Curious. Is/are your pendants grounded? I've measured close to 200 volts from my clip-on (ergo isolated) T5 reflectors to the water. Used to get tingles when touching both the reflector and the water. Attached a wire from each reflector to ground and the large induced voltage is no longer present. Although it is a high measured voltage, the current capability is obviously not that much or I would feel more than a tiny tingle. Could be that the arc to your forehead was also caused by a large static charge, walking across carpet in a dry room, then touching a metal object. Voltage needs to equalize, so big snap but generally not that harmful.