Loose current in water!!!

I noticed the other day when I was stuffing some filter fiber around the top of my overflow, I felt a little tingling when my hand touched the metal piece on my light. I guess it grounded so that is why I felt it. I have since used a volt meter and placed one end in the water and the other in the ground socket. It is pulling ~15 volts.:-X I do not feel anything when only touching the water.... Is this bad for the fish if so, how do I fix it? I currently only have one major power cord in the water..(going down overflow to sump). Any help would be appreciated..

 

I felt the exact same thing today when pulling a carbon sock out of my overflow when my arm touched my light fixture. I haven't investigated the source yet.

A lot of people use ground probes in their tanks. Not sure if they are snake oil or if they haven been proven to actually do something. There is a theory that head and latteral line disease is caused by stray currents in the tank. With or without a ground probe you will have current in the tank. With the probe you are changing the voltage to match the electrical ground voltage of your house but it isn't going to eliminate the current through the tank. It will eliminate the voltage difference between the tank water and your electrical ground which will make it so you don't feel the tingle when you touch your tank water and your grounded light again.

 

You should always use a ground probe in saltwater.

 

I have never even heard of one of those... I just read an article, though, saying that all aquariums have voltage, but once you provide a probe they have current which not good either..... I bet this is one of those DSB vs No sand bed arguments. Huh...;D

 

I forget all the mumbo jumbo on how electricity is generated by saltwater and the magnetic force that submerged pumps produce but you can run your tank how you want. I would never run a SW tank without one and I don't even have a submerged pump. All of mine are external.

Do what you want, it's your tank that tingled you.

 

I guess Ill go get one. You guys probably know better than me. I did not mean to come across like that. My other question, is where should the probe be placed? Does it matter? in sump, DT.

 

Anywhere where it's touching water. Sump is good because it's out of sight. It's a good idea to use a GFCI circut with a ground probe as well.

 

Here is one: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~Coralife_Titanium_Ground_Probe_(Removes_Stray_Voltage)_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Miscellaneous_GFCI_Cords___Grounding_Probes~vendor~Coralife~SearchStr~ground+probe~action~view~idProduct~ES00934~idCategory~FIMIGF.html

 

Thanks for the quick info everyone, I got one at LFS and the current is now 0.

 

Good job, your livestock thanks you.;D