Just got zapped hard!

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by mark

using a gfi?

No GFCI on this one, as it's in my garage. I'm just using a powerbar, which if I remember correctly has a GFCI-like device in it, becuase it has popped on me before. However.... it didn't pop this time lol.

Originally Posted by lpsreefer

I would get a grounding probe. They are fairly cheap.
I had a similar problem turns out it was my skimmer pump cord. It was wearing.

Would a grounding probe saved me from getting zapped?

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

Get a cheap multi meter, stick the black end into the earth pole on a three prong plug, put the other end in the tank. Get a helper to unplug things one at a time, when the voltage drops to zero the last item unplugged is the culprit. Good luck.

Edit:
When a heater went bad in my display I had the same shocking experience, I didn't notice any damage to the livestock in the tank. The fish were a bit skittish, but no harm done. The fish that were in there are still in there after about 2 years.

Just saw this post. I will definitely try this, as I do have a multi-meter at home.

One question though, should I ground it on the socket end of the power bar in the ground prong position?

[hillbillyreefer]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

Just saw this post. I will definitely try this, as I do have a multi-meter at home.

One question though, should I ground it on the socket end of the power bar in the ground prong position?

Sure, that will work. Anything that completes the circuit will work.

Like scherzo said, the voltage won't drop to zero, but it will drop significantly. Give me a few minutes and I'll grab my multimeter from the shop and post hat my tanks voltage is.

For anyone that isn't sure the earth (ground) prong on a power outlet is the round hole, not one of the flat blade holes.

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

For anyone that isn't sure the earth (ground) prong on a power outlet is the round hole, not one of the flat blade holes.

Yes, this one here:

[hillbillyreefer]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

Yes, this one here:

Thank you.

One tank has 43v and the other 56v, neither give a tingle or zapppppp!

When I was getting zapped it was over 100v, the culprit was a heater.

I just remembered I had a pump in a small skimmer go bad on my kids nano tank, also a shocking experience. I don't recall testing the tank with a multi meter.

[FishyFishy!]

I'll check what my live one is today and let you know. I'll bet it will be much higher!

[AquaticExpressions]

I would not recommend a grounding probe. A grounding probe might seem like a good idea to draw out voltage from the aquarium but it tends to draw more voltage into the aquarium that can lead HLLE and doesn't solve the issue of stray voltage in the aquarium. It is best to find out which piece of equipment is leaking voltage and replace. Just my 2 cents

[Samw]

I use one of these NOMA GFCI powerbars. It says not for use with aquariums but I use it anyways.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/no...l#.U9fXfa3n-Hs

[scherzo]

After saying the voltage won't ever say zero.. I tested my tank today and I got zero...

I just got a new skimmer so I think my old skimmer pump was putting out 10v in the water. New skimmer apparently drops nothing.

I also don't have any power heads in the tank because I have vortechs. The only thing in the water is my heater and skimmer pump.

Glad you found the culprit safely.

[Kellyscoral]

Wow - that is a hazard of the hobby I had never considered! I am glad you are okay. I stick my hands in my water all the time without a second thought. while doing a water change on the weekend, I accidentally dumped a bunch of water on my power bar and it started hissing and spurting. If the toxins don't get us the electricity will!