Stray voltage from equip in one tank but not another.

CherBear811 · Aug 15, 2019

Help! I discovered some stray voltage in my tank tonight. By unplugging everything and replugging back in one by one - the lights, a powerhead and heater all seem to be causing stray voltage. Being summer, I dont need the heater ATM, and lights are unplugged (though they don't touch any water so I have no idea how they are causing stray voltage in the water. But oddly, when I put the powerhead in a 20 gal batch of fresh sw (keep 20 gal mixed with a powerhead and heater for water changes, etc), no stray voltage at all. I tried plugging the powerhead into the same outlet that I use for the water change tub, but still when I put it back in the tank, stray voltage returns. I don't know how much yet, just going by the sensation on my fingers, but when all of it is plugged in, it's quite a zap on the one finger (though I don't feel it with my other fingers). I do have recently cut nails, and one finger is a bit short and that's where I notice it the most - but not at all when everything was unplugged and not at all when I put my hand in the fresh sw tub.

If a powerhead is causing stray voltage, wouldn't it do it in both the tank and the tub?? Also, I took the powerhead from the tub out where I dont feel any stray voltage, and put it in the tank, and got zapped by it too. So, for now I have a 3rd powerhead in there that didn't cause any stray voltage, but obviously I need to figure this out.

Also, this all seems to have come up some time yesterday, as I have an anthias in that tank and feed mysis multiple times per day. I did not notice any problems last time earlier yesterday.

I am going to order a grounding probe and a new pump, but I find it hard to believe that suddenly 3 pieces of equipment are causing stray voltage (have fed a few times since cutting the nails; last night was the first time I felt a shock). What would cause this?

xiholdtruex · Aug 15, 2019

CherBear811 said:
Help! I discovered some stray voltage in my tank tonight. By unplugging everything and replugging back in one by one - the lights, a powerhead and heater all seem to be causing stray voltage. Being summer, I dont need the heater ATM, and lights are unplugged (though they don't touch any water so I have no idea how they are causing stray voltage in the water. But oddly, when I put the powerhead in a 20 gal batch of fresh sw (keep 20 gal mixed with a powerhead and heater for water changes, etc), no stray voltage at all. I tried plugging the powerhead into the same outlet that I use for the water change tub, but still when I put it back in the tank, stray voltage returns. I don't know how much yet, just going by the sensation on my fingers, but when all of it is plugged in, it's quite a zap on the one finger (though I don't feel it with my other fingers). I do have recently cut nails, and one finger is a bit short and that's where I notice it the most - but not at all when everything was unplugged and not at all when I put my hand in the fresh sw tub.

If a powerhead is causing stray voltage, wouldn't it do it in both the tank and the tub?? Also, I took the powerhead from the tub out where I dont feel any stray voltage, and put it in the tank, and got zapped by it too. So, for now I have a 3rd powerhead in there that didn't cause any stray voltage, but obviously I need to figure this out.

Also, this all seems to have come up some time yesterday, as I have an anthias in that tank and feed mysis multiple times per day. I did not notice any problems last time earlier yesterday.

I am going to order a grounding probe and a new pump, but I find it hard to believe that suddenly 3 pieces of equipment are causing stray voltage (have fed a few times since cutting the nails; last night was the first time I felt a shock). What would cause this?

Are all components connected to the same strip? I would try a different strip for each component and try them in different containers of water or tanks to test

W1ngz · Aug 15, 2019

I question the stray voltage thing on my tank now and then, it's usually when I've cut back my cuticles or nails so I'm feeling the salt, mixed with small amounts of induced voltage in the water. I can usually, like you, feel it with one particular finger, but not the others. It happens whether I'm wearing sneakers or not (which insulate me from the floor), which tells me it's not actually stray voltage. Induced voltage is normal, and it's caused by motors and magnets (pumps and powerheads) spinning in an electrolytic solution (saltwater). Lights which are not in contact with the water, can't cause stray voltage, but depending on the overall setup could contribute to an increase or decrease in the induced voltage.

Virtually any tank that has something electrical in it will have some voltage potential stored. It shouldn't be anywhere close to household line voltage, and the amount of current that a small induced charge can deliver is more than likely pretty negligible.

CherBear811 · Aug 15, 2019

xiholdtruex said:
Are all components connected to the same strip? I would try a different strip for each component and try them in different containers of water or tanks to test

I tried that with 2 components (powerhead and light), and it still caused stray voltage in the tank from the outlet I use for my water change tub (but doesn't cause it in the tub, just the tank).

CherBear811 · Aug 15, 2019

W1ngz said:
I question the stray voltage thing on my tank now and then, it's usually when I've cut back my cuticles or nails so I'm feeling the salt, mixed with small amounts of induced voltage in the water. I can usually, like you, feel it with one particular finger, but not the others. It happens whether I'm wearing sneakers or not (which insulate me from the floor), which tells me it's not actually stray voltage. Induced voltage is normal, and it's caused by motors and magnets (pumps and powerheads) spinning in an electrolytic solution (saltwater). Lights which are not in contact with the water, can't cause stray voltage, but depending on the overall setup could contribute to an increase or decrease in the induced voltage.

Virtually any tank that has something electrical in it will have some voltage potential stored. It shouldn't be anywhere close to household line voltage, and the amount of current that a small induced charge can deliver is more than likely pretty negligible.

Thank you for the response. Weird thing is.... I have two powerheads in my mixing tub and I don't feel any stray voltage in there, even on the one sensitive finger. Plus, I have fed a few times since cutting my nails and didn't feel anything. If I can only feel it on the one finger and not other fingers is it likely less than I need to worry about for my fish? Will a grounding probe still help do you think?

W1ngz · Aug 15, 2019

The mixing tub has less volume, and hasn't had the pumps running in it as long. A saltwater tank acts as a rudimentary battery, and will store up a small charge over time. I think more than likely that's what you're feeling. The only way to really know is to measure the voltage between your tank and the outlet with a multi-meter.

True stray voltage is a danger to you, not your fish. The salt water is more conductive than they are so electricity will flow around them, not through them.

Better safe than sorry, so a ground probe with a GFCI outlet is the way to go, that will bleed off the low-level induced voltage in the tank, as well as protect you in the case of an actual stray voltage or exposed wire inside a pump. A GFCI and probe will need a properly grounded outlet.

W1ngz · Aug 15, 2019

I studied electricity and electromechanics, but that was eons ago. This article was, as far as I know, written by an electrician @Brew12, so they would be more qualified than me to chime in.

I can definitely say with some authority though, that a multi-meter and ground probe are better tools than your fingers when testing voltage

Using Ground Probes in Aquariums

Why your saltwater aquarium needs a ground probe (or several). The piece is written by an expert electrician.

www.reef2reef.com

Reefen · Aug 15, 2019

I have experienced stray voltage when one of my receptacles have gotten salt water in it or salt. Is the equipment your having trouble with on the same receptacle or power source

Saltyreef · Aug 15, 2019

Agreed with induced voltage comment by W1ngz. I have grounding probes in my tank and still feel the shocks on my fingers with cuts or dry cuticles. Measure with a voltmeter and youll see its negligible.

vetteguy53081 · Aug 15, 2019

Always use a ground probe.
For your current situation.. . . Unplug each powerhead and see if it stops. If yes- you found it. If not, then unplug heater and see if it stops. You what to do next.
If not, unplug return pump and so forth

CherBear811 · Aug 15, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
Always use a ground probe.
For your current situation.. . . Unplug each powerhead and see if it stops. If yes- you found it. If not, then unplug heater and see if it stops. You what to do next.
If not, unplug return pump and so forth

I already did that, and 3 pieces of equipment were all individually causing stray voltage, as said in my op - the heater, a powerhead and lights (which don't even touch water).

I also tried powering the lights and powerhead from another outlet, same problem. But when I put the powerhead in that seems to be causing a problem into my mixing tub, no shock.

CherBear811 · Aug 15, 2019

W1ngz said:
The mixing tub has less volume, and hasn't had the pumps running in it as long. A saltwater tank acts as a rudimentary battery, and will store up a small charge over time. I think more than likely that's what you're feeling. The only way to really know is to measure the voltage between your tank and the outlet with a multi-meter.

True stray voltage is a danger to you, not your fish. The salt water is more conductive than they are so electricity will flow around them, not through them.

Better safe than sorry, so a ground probe with a GFCI outlet is the way to go, that will bleed off the low-level induced voltage in the tank, as well as protect you in the case of an actual stray voltage or exposed wire inside a pump. A GFCI and probe will need a properly grounded outlet.

Pretty sure there have been studies showing stray voltage can cause HLLE though. Don't want to derail my own post into that topic. Lol... Just clarifying.