Morbid...but do you worry about getting shocked?

[SkiCatTX]

In fact, I have been shocked several times over the years. It's usually just a tingling, so I'm still around obviously, but yeah, it's pretty scary. Usually a pump or heather of something with a leaking cable.

I will no longer use any AC equipment in my new build. With the possible exception of a heater, which I'm looking into, all the pumps that are in the water are low voltage.

 

[clffthmps]

After being in the electrical and HVAC field for over 24 years I’ve seen some strange things. GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupter) iv seen these devices go bad,And get stuck to where they won’t trip, but still applying voltage. knowing that anytime I stick my hand in my tank as little as possible, I unplug all the equipment. I love reefing but my safety comes first.

 

[clffthmps]

Don’t never think it can’t happen to you. electricity is something you have to respect.Electrical shock could cause burns,internal organ damage, or death.

 

[clffthmps]

Stay safe.

 

[cesar6261]

After working as a electrician, welder, and on soft electrical I am not scared. I do use caution when touching wires with wet hands. I am more afraid that my fish and coral get shocked or killed.

 

[Blknovass]

Only hurts for a second.

 

[Mark Novack]

Been there, done that. Melted heater cable, 220v, barefoot with saltwater on the floor. Shocking!

 

[ThRoewer]

I got zapped plenty of times. Key to survival is to wear shoes with rubber soles and keeping them dry... or stand on something insulating.

Once, back in Germany, I had a flooding when a tank sprung a leak. I didn't notice it until I stepped barefoot on the wet electrified carpet. That was a serious jolt and I got lucky that I could let me fall backward onto dry ground...

And I just got zapped a few days ago on my 100-gallon system. Turned out to be the Reef Octopus skimmer pump. The cable hardened and must have cracked at the point where it goes into the pump. So I got to replace an otherwise perfectly good pump

 

[ThRoewer]

Been there, done that. Melted heater cable, 220v, barefoot with saltwater on the floor. Shocking!

Yep, been there, done that...

 

[whitewaterman53]

I have been shocked a couple of good times in the old days. Now everything near my tank is GFI'd not just the plugs I use.
I also had an electrician come on and put tank and sump on different breakers and tested GFI.

 

[Spieg]

When I moved in, I converted every circuit breaker in the power panel to GFCI (I've seen the outlet switched GFCI fail to many times to trust them). I also have dedicated grounds to tank, sump, and mixing container so there'll always be an easier path to ground than through my body.

 

[Double monti 61]

I would place glass heaters as a shock hazard so I try to remember to unplug it when I put my hands in my tank. The pumps are also a possible problem but less likely

 

[WallyB]

My 15 year old recently said my QT tank water hurt his skin. I stuck my fingers in and sure enough I was getting zapped. The Hydor Power Head had a short.

I would be interested in ways that I can avoid this, especially my kid. I use GFCI power strips but it did not trip. ☹

See Post Above and watch the Video. (ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION, with a DEMO too)
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...ut-getting-shocked.720483/page-2#post-7471097
My Hydor Like your zapped me. That's the 4th Hydro that Failed on me. I threw them all out. Even thought I got 3 replaced (They will replace under LIFETIME WARRANTY)
Video Show test and shows how Ground Probe solves a 2 Prong Plug Device, that isn't grounded, so it does NOT TRIP.

 

[zapbap99]

i wasn't worried before this lol, now i am?

 

[Gon2srf]

Between my gfci and grounding probes, I feel very confident reaching in. Without those precautions, I would be much more alert. I probably still should be now, but don’t really think about it because of the steps I’ve taken in advance

 

[reefsofty]

the tank is grounded

 

[Fishmania]

Being concern is outmost important because, it usually happened once, and that once could be your last experience in life...

 

[Crotalus]

I used to get tingled if the floor was at all damp. I found 36 volts in the water coming from my battery backup. I added a ground probe to the tank and connected it to the ground on the electric meter.
My house wiring does not have a ground.

 

[Perthegallon]

THIS IS NOT ABOUT FEAR MONGERING BUT ABOUT PRECAUTION!

No one likes to think about these things but I think it's good to discuss and good to be aware! A lot of times when I messing with sump equipment my hands are wet and I'm plugging stuff up etc. Obviously the plugs are not wet! But it does go through my mind at times that I'm dealing with a lot of water and electricity here. For me my tank's equipment is all on GFCI circuits so that does give me some peace of mind but it doesn't totally alleviate the fears. Let's talk about this today!

1. Do you ever worry about getting shocked by your aquarium water?

2. What are some ways you take precaution to not get shocked?

You can use a grounder around your wrist the same as you would when working on a pc and not worry

 

[Copingwithpods]

You can use a grounder around your wrist the same as you would when working on a pc and not worry

I wouldn't want my hand to be the dedicated ground no thanks