Stray voltage killing my SPS?? Video included

ps2cho · Mar 22, 2015

Hey guys,

Some of you have seen my thread over the last 6 months...I just keep failing at SPS and I couldn't figure it out.
Well today I did more research online and came across an idea to check the tank for stray voltage. Well...I think I may have stray voltage, but it doesn't make sense to me.

I verified the socket at the wall gives me 120V AC...The tank is ranging from 13v-28v depending on which socket I turn off on the apex.

Here is the video. Let me know what you think... (once youtube finishes approving it)

http://youtu.be/jXXJk_TAC7Q

Eckolancer · Mar 22, 2015

If all are off does it read 0? Maybe figure out which one item is feeding the voltage.

ps2cho · Mar 22, 2015

When I pull the plug from the wall it reads 0...or 0.45v to be exact, but I figure maybe thats just the saltwater ions itself.

Unfortunately I'm out of town now til next weekend, but when I get home, its time to start pulling stuff off.

Eckolancer · Mar 22, 2015

So I just tested mine and found out I'm getting 2-3v. If I shut off my gyre pump I get .33v. Now I'm in the same boat as you being out of town for a week. But after that I need to find out how to get this pump warrantied.

ps2cho · Mar 23, 2015

So definitely not normal to see any voltage in the tank right? I understand the difference between volts and current but regardless there should be no electricity passing into the water column right?

Eckolancer · Mar 23, 2015

I'm assuming there should be none. Or possibly close to 0 as we can get. I've read that current is the bigger concern.

cumbeje · Mar 25, 2015

Since salt water is a conductor and having stray voltage below I would say 40V is fine. The concern is current which you would not have unless you grounded yourself or the tank with a grounding probe. Do not go crazy over this it is normal.

redfishbluefish · Mar 25, 2015

ps2cho said:
So definitely not normal to see any voltage in the tank right? I understand the difference between volts and current but regardless there should be no electricity passing into the water column right?

Not true....you will have induced voltage.....typically a couple volts.....and that's OK.

My feeling is that 22V is not coming from induced voltage. The first thing I'd try is another ground...could your ground be bad.