Saltcreep and powerstrips

dmh41532 · Jul 17, 2016

I have power head in my one tank (it's an aquatop). That has been getting a pretty big salt build up, and scorching the outlet on power bars. I've never had this issue, so I moved the strip slight farther away from the tank, but it happened again. Could it be an issue with the pump? Or do I need make changes to the aquarium?

twilliard · Jul 17, 2016

You need to make changes of the electrical setup.
Saltwater (salt) is highly conductive

ReeferMaddness843 · Jul 17, 2016

Couple quick questions. Do you have a proper drip loop? Is there stray voltage actually in the tank?

dmh41532 · Jul 17, 2016

Okay, I'll re work the layout.

Yep, its the same drip loop ive used for two years, there isnt any stray voltage that im aware of. Though typically the power is cut when im cleaning the tank.

Salty1962 · Jul 17, 2016

ReeferMaddness843 said:
Couple quick questions. Do you have a proper drip loop? Is there stray voltage actually in the tank?

+1, you need to have a drip loop on all of your devices!

dmh41532 · Jul 17, 2016

Salty1962 said:
+1, you need to have a drip loop on all of your devices!

I do, i have drip loops for all my tanks.

mike007 · Jul 17, 2016

You really need a gfi on anything that might come in contact with water.

JaimeAdams · Jul 17, 2016

It's one of those things that you need to take seriously. You can find stories about it catching fire and not turning out well. Like when my power strip caught fire and almost burnt my house down at 5:30am. Luckily the wife woke up and I put out the small fire, but not before it melted my skimmer, sump, reactor and all the power cords to my Equipment.

FishLover01 · Jul 18, 2016

mike007 said:
You really need a gfi on anything that might come in contact with water.

Sorry, I'm clueless. What is a GFI?

FishLover01 · Jul 18, 2016

The only thing I know to do is to hang all power strips on the wall about 1 foot away from the tank with drop loops on all cords. Just make sure there is no way for water to travel the cord where it could possibly enter the outlet. Very dangerous situation when you see power strips behind a tank.

dmh41532 · Jul 18, 2016

I

FishLover01 said:
Sorry, I'm clueless. What is a GFI?

Grounded fault interruptor

FishLover01 · Jul 18, 2016

dmh41532 said:
I

Grounded fault interruptor

Thanks. I'll have to do some googling on this. I have 4 tanks, 3 freshwater tanks and a Saltwater tank. I have all my equipment going into individual power strips about 12-18 inches away from each tank with drop loops on all cords. You can never be too safe. So, thanks for your reply. I'm getting ready to learn about GFI's.

Pruett-nc · Jul 18, 2016

If I am reading this correctly your power strip has had an arc ( terms we use in the power industry) . If so you need to get rid of that power strip and replace . If it has done it one time the salt as @twilliard said has corroded the plug ins . The little specks of splashing water has enough salt content to corrode the plugs .

The Rook · Jul 19, 2016

Switch to quality power strips like the 8 switch DJ rack style. Also a really good trick is to buy a tube of dielectric grease. I use it on my hot rod and bikes. Coat the plug with a thin film and it'll help protect the outlet.

mike007 · Jul 19, 2016

You get a gfi and the plug in your power strips and any other equipment you want to protect. When moisture come in contact it will shut down the power to the these devices.