Stray voltage?

Roy 9121 · Mar 5, 2017

How do I test you this?

Brew12 · Mar 5, 2017

If you have a voltmeter you can take one test probe and put it in the tank water and touch the other test probe to the ground prong on an outlet.

Kershaw · Mar 5, 2017

I would add. To test tank in normal running condition. Then turn everything off and turn one thing on at a time to see which items are the biggest problem

Roy 9121 · Mar 5, 2017

Brew12 said:
If you have a voltmeter you can take one test probe and put it in the tank water and touch the other test probe to the ground prong on an outlet.

The outlet in the wall?

Brew12 · Mar 5, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
The outlet in the wall?

Yup, or on a power strip. Shouldn't matter as long as you use any ground prong receptacle.

Kershaw · Mar 5, 2017

The ground of the out let in the wall. The round hole not the slots!!

Roy 9121 · Mar 5, 2017

Brew12 said:
Yup, or on a power strip. Shouldn't matter as long as you use any ground prong receptacle.

Is there a normal or acceptable level?

Roy 9121 · Mar 5, 2017

Kershaw said:
The ground of the out let in the wall. The round hole not the slots!!

Im not too bright about electrical stuff, that's why I'm a plumber.

Kershaw · Mar 5, 2017

Zero if some how possible. Mine runs at about 14v. But I am on a elevated foundation so I never feel it

Brew12 · Mar 6, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
Is there a normal or acceptable level?

I see around 20V to 24V if I don't have my ground probe installed. With my ground probe I go to 0V.

It is hard to say what is normal or acceptable and the subject of much debate. There are 2 primary methods of getting voltage in your tank. The more harmless one is that it is induced. Any time you have a power cord inside of, or running next to your aquarium, or run motors in the tank water, you will induce a voltage (magnetic coupling). Since the path people route power cords and the type and placement of electrical equipment changes from tank to tank, this causes people to see a wide variety of induced voltages. While this show voltage on a meter, there is no power behind it so as soon as even small levels of current starts flowing the voltage goes away. A ground probe will reduce this voltage to zero but it will not trip a GFCI unit.
The more dangerous way to get voltage in your tank is if you have a piece of electrical equipment fail or failing. This will provide a source of voltage that does have power behind it and can result in a significant electrical shock. It also means that you have a path from an energized source to your tank water with that source most likely being copper. This can leach copper and other chemicals into your water in addition to the voltage. A ground probe will also reduce this voltage to zero but it will pull larger amounts of current to do so. This will trip a GFCI.

Does that help?