electric shock

one of my heaters shorted out and was shocking the crap out of me when i touched the water. I have since unplugged and removed it. is there a way to prevent this from happening in the future?

thanks, bill

 

Shock buster GFI

HI,
I too had a very similar experience, Many of us old time fresh water fish keeper have splashed a little water here there and only recieve a minor irritating tingle this saltwater is very dangerous, so to prevent electracution I would buy a GFI extension cord, I ve found them at lowes they don't know what they are but they have them.
It will disconect the sec there a tiny little short either due to salt bridge or one tiny little drop off salt water will short out a strip or equipment failure, you also need simple ground for the fish tank to prevent any stray voltage from shocking the critters and fish .they sell them at most LPS or on line they are usally a inert metal heres a pic of one model
. they can run around 20 bucks or more but hey aren't you worth it, try to keep your power strip out of the drip zone when you change filters or break down things saltwater is very corrosive and will salt-bridge a light a power strip you almost need items that are made for use around saltwater. My newest heater has a metal element and the thermostat is seperate, its very easy to bump though and that can be a bad thing if it goes high you have cooked sea food...YIkes that sucks..
Psps The so called surge protectors will shock the heck out of you and not even trip, trust me I know I finally got tired of it and added the GFI at the outlet. IF one drop of water shorts anything the power goes off.

Don't be cheap or you may be dead..
Doug

 

I have my tank on a dedicated gfci outlet, I've never had anything short out knock on wood but I hope that would prevent it.