What is the acceptable level of voltage in an Aquarium? I have about 46 to 48 volts leaking into the aquarium. It is coming from all of the equipment which is AC powered. My DC pumps account for 5 volts.
"Z"
"Z"
Voltage in the Aquarium
- Thread starter zemuss
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That's insane. You definitely have some faulty equipment going in. I had 12 from a light and was shocked by it. I got it down to .5 and then added a grounding probe.
OP
OP
I am checking the voltage with a multi-meter by putting the common (black) into ground of a electric socket and the positive into the water as shown in a video i saw. Is this the correct testing?
I think i read anything under 50 volts is ok but I want to hear from others before I make any drastic changes. This is the Reef Octopus skimmer pump and heater putting out this much voltage. I want to make sure first.
"Z"
I think i read anything under 50 volts is ok but I want to hear from others before I make any drastic changes. This is the Reef Octopus skimmer pump and heater putting out this much voltage. I want to make sure first.
"Z"
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Is the outlet a GFCI?
Do you use a grounding probe of any sort?
Do you use a grounding probe of any sort?
OP
OP
Outlets are not GFCI and no grounding probes.
I found the issue both of the 200 watt heaters I bought (viaaqua) are faulty. I went back to the finnex 150 i had. I will be buying another finnex for a back up.
I found the issue both of the 200 watt heaters I bought (viaaqua) are faulty. I went back to the finnex 150 i had. I will be buying another finnex for a back up.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I'd definitely also get some portable GFCI type of outlets to protect yourself. 
Something like this:
LEX In-Line Portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) | Power Distribution Equipment | PowerDistributionOnline.com
Something like this:
LEX In-Line Portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) | Power Distribution Equipment | PowerDistributionOnline.com
glad you found the issue...
imo-never use a ground probe (if you like your fish/coral anyway) with stray voltage you get shocked because you complete the circut, with a ground probe circut is completed safer for you but fish and coral are getting the shock you are worried about and for them it is constant.....
imo-never use a ground probe (if you like your fish/coral anyway) with stray voltage you get shocked because you complete the circut, with a ground probe circut is completed safer for you but fish and coral are getting the shock you are worried about and for them it is constant.....
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I have personally seen two instances where ungrounded stray voltage caused birdsnest coral to completely loose all of it's tissue.
If you are going to use a ground probe, you MUST HAVE a properly grounded GFCI circuit powering your aquarium.
I have taken steps to replace nearly all of my equipment with DC equipment. The only thing that I have been unable to replace is my heater.
If you are going to use a ground probe, you MUST HAVE a properly grounded GFCI circuit powering your aquarium.
I have taken steps to replace nearly all of my equipment with DC equipment. The only thing that I have been unable to replace is my heater.
scardall
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Curious, I see you live in florida. If you live south of central florida, why do you use a heater??? I live in Cocoa and Have Never used a heater. In fact I use a chiller (led lighting) and it is set for 77 degress. I have a couple of idea's that should satisfy all ( people and tank inhabinents) For us: Where shoes or have a rubber matt to stand on. There is one other methoed: Play russian rulette, as I do. Now I do have a groundind probe on one of my tanks. I did have a power head have an electrical leak, plus heaters (when I was much younger). Good Luck
Randy Holmes-Farley
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That depends. I have both since the water may not make a connection between the two in an emergency situation. But it does run some risk (at least theoretical) of a steady current flowing in one ground probe and out the other, depending on how the two grounds are connected (or not). Mine are connected at the electrical box.
