Grounding Wire - Will This Work

Hi

I'm making A grounding wire for my tank. I've been reading all the post about stray Volts In the tank. So I got my Volt meter out and check it. Well i got 3.5 volts from water to ground. Not real sure why.

Anyways I'm making a ground probe. I'm using a 1/8 round tube about 6", attaching a copper wire to the tube then to a 3 prong plug. putting the grounding probe into my filter. so it dosn't show.

do you think this will work okay?

 

Voltage that low could be from the saltwater and its reaction to some elements or rocks with in the tank ? But you say 6 inch tube ? a tube of what if its not 316 S.S or better yet Titanium then you can't use it.. easiest way i found is at a Local Hardware or Lowe's get a S.S long bolt and nut and tighten the nut up on the wire to secure it at the head of the bolt then you have to use a 3/M waterproof heat-shrink to seal the wire from the saltwater. If that copper ever becomes exposed to the water you'll have more problems then a voltage one..It has to be a water proof heat shrink most electronic shops that sell T.V ad Satellite equipment sells them..

 

the tube was copper. so thats a no no okay. 316ss it will be.
Thank you!
We have that at the shop

 

Just remember to hook it to the ground of your outlet only the others could have you singing you light up my life- lol

 

Yes Copper will wipe the whole tank out if you have any inverts in there now or later if you are near a Lowe's or Home depot ? just get a 4 inch or so S.S nut and bolt #8 or #10 even a 1/4 inch matter's not the ( size of the nut and bolt} I did say that didn't I LOL But and make sure its a waterproof heat shrink.. When you heat and shrink it a jelly looking silicone will ooze out the ends. I like the 3/M brands thats what I used when I made under ground wiring repairs Also just use that screw on the plate to connect the wire to But if you use a plug just connect the wire for the probe to the 3rd lug of the plug will be green and or a difference will be obvious not either of the other line or leg spades

 

Thanks Guys And Gals
Tom

 

you can get that little stray voltage just when the lights are on. DIY ground probe is ok but is it run to a gfi outlet? Also at least twice a year rempve the probe and check voltage I have seen probes mask a bad pump or heater before. check the probe at that time also. Blind faith in a probe is not safe either