I am getting shocked, but no one else feels anything. Help!

[Peter Clark]

Have you tried yet having EVERYTHING unplugged at the same time, letting it sit for a moment to get rid of any residual charge, and try again? I assume they all go into the same outlet or two so that should be easy enough to do quickly. That would give you at least an answer for sure before getting any meters. And if you think it could be your nail, maybe have your wrist or palm touch first?

 

[Hemmdog]

1)Fill a cup with tank water
2)stick fingers in cup.
3)????
4)profit

 

[rcpalmer1]

If you feel it, it is most likely stray voltage. There was just an article on here about it. With volt meter set it to acv.

then turn it on. Put the black probe in the top of an outlet. That is always a ground. You have to put it at an angle so the probe touches the contact on the side.

Then put the red in the water.

It may be a combination of things adding up. I am in my tank way to much. Never felt anything. Then one day I did. After testing my return pump was putting out 24 volts and a powerhead was putting out 20 volts. Both added up to a good shock. Replaced equipment and got one of these.https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005DGKCF4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

 

[Lindsay1126]

I am not crazy, hubby took off his shoes and felt it. Realized I used the meter wrong anyway. It was my stupid cobalt heater. Got it take out. Luckily I keep 3 heaters in at one time, so I can pick up a diffirent brand. I should have known, bc I had another cobalt start smoking in my water change bin. Thank you for helping.

 

[Peter Clark]

Glad a trip to the loony bin isn't required. And glad you are all safe!

 

[norfolkgarden]

Glad you are OK!

So that was 2 cobalt heaters in several months?

Mind if I ask how old they are?

 

[rcpalmer1]

I am not crazy, hubby took off his shoes and felt it. Realized I used the meter wrong anyway. It was my stupid cobalt heater. Got it take out. Luckily I keep 3 heaters in at one time, so I can pick up a diffirent brand. I should have known, bc I had another cobalt start smoking in my water change bin. Thank you for helping.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/using-ground-probes-in-aquariums.596/
Glad you found it. This is a good article that was posted a week or two ago. Next time it my be worse. I never had a probe but after doing. Little research I do now.

 

[MTBake]

Pretty sure the heater would have be cycled on to catch this as well. It most likely wouldn't show up if the heater wasn't heating. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Really glad you found the culprit. I've also had heater leach electricity in the past. It's not fun.

 

[rcpalmer1]

Pretty sure the heater would have be cycled on to catch this as well. It most likely wouldn't show up if the heater wasn't heating. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Really glad you found the culprit. I've also had heater leach electricity in the past. It's not fun.

It would depend on where the short was and type of heater. Most have every thing in one waterproof compartment. If it leaks water and the switch is in the water it will leak voltage regardless if it is on or not. If it is on a controller out of the water. It would only leak when on.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I am not crazy, hubby took off his shoes and felt it. Realized I used the meter wrong anyway. It was my stupid cobalt heater. Got it take out. Luckily I keep 3 heaters in at one time, so I can pick up a diffirent brand. I should have known, bc I had another cobalt start smoking in my water change bin. Thank you for helping.

After taking the heater our and looking at it, are.theyre any visual signs that might account for the stray voltage?

 

[MTBake]

It would depend on where the short was and type of heater. Most have every thing in one waterproof compartment. If it leaks water and the switch is in the water it will leak voltage regardless if it is on or not. If it is on a controller out of the water. It would only leak when on.

Would the voltage leak be lower if it wasn't actually heating? Or the same?

 

[JoshH]

I'm honestly a little shocked, no pun inteneded. I've been using and abusing cobalt Neotherms for 3 years now and have yet to, thankfully have this or any other issue arise with them. I'm glad you got it figured out though and your sanity isn't being questioned any more

 

[rcpalmer1]

Would the voltage leak be lower if it wasn't actually heating? Or the same?

I would never trust anyone who gave one answer to a hypothetical question with multiple variables. Situation depended most commonly it would be the same. You plug one end of the wire into a 110v outlet. Then run that wire under water. It then goes through a water tight fitting. Inside the water tight comartment is a switch. The 110v is connected to the switch. The other side of the switch has 0 volts until the switch is activated. Both sides on the switch are in the same compartment. If water gets in both sides of the switch will get wet and one side is connected directly to the outlet. So the volts are the same.

 

[HB AL]

Sounds like you figured it out without any bad incident.

 

[IDAN]

I had the same problem 4 weeks ago, it was my koralia powerheads.
they ware 2 years old, not cut or other issue (I'm electrician). looks to me the sealed was not doing is job anymore. so I put them in the trash.
since then no other problem.

 

[Hybrid Ken]

First and foremost...…...Do not allow anyone to put their hands in the tank or sump until this is fixed PERIOD!!!!!!!
Now lets find the problem. Here is a ling to a You Tube video on how to find the problem.

 

[Hybrid Ken]

Please get a grounding probe in your tank

 

[PhilT]

I am not crazy, hubby took off his shoes and felt it. Realized I used the meter wrong anyway. It was my stupid cobalt heater. Got it take out. Luckily I keep 3 heaters in at one time, so I can pick up a diffirent brand. I should have known, bc I had another cobalt start smoking in my water change bin. Thank you for helping.

Was it the neotherm model? what wattage?

 

[HB AL]

I had the same problem 4 weeks ago, it was my koralia powerheads.
they ware 2 years old, not cut or other issue (I'm electrician). looks to me the sealed was not doing is job anymore. so I put them in the trash.
since then no other problem.

Exactly my problem with same power head and I did the same thing trashed them, then every Acro started recovering within days.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

Do you use a glass heater check it fir a crack it has happened to me twice before and that was the issue