Shocking find this may save a life

I was cleaning my 120 FOWLR tank and had my hands in the tank to get a hard to reach piece of algea off the glass. The tank is filled with a 10 inch stars ans stripes puffer and a 8 or 9 inch cowfish and some others i will list later but the story is. With my hands in the tank I heard some cracking noise. I looked around and on one of the power heads was sparking at the cord. One of the fish bit the cord all up. If it was not for the grounding probe id be a hurtin unit the fish too. I also put some pvc around the cords so they wont do it again. I suggest anyone without a grounding probe get one asap!!!!

 

Congrats on having probe....!!!

 

I had the same thing happen with a bad cord on a powerhead here recently. A ground probe WILL NOT save you. The current from the wall will just divert from the ground probe to you because you are a better ground. What you need is a GFCI unit in place of the regular plug in the wall. It will cut power if that situation arises again.

You really lucked out dude. If I could give you more Karma for posting the story, I would. I am a firm believer in safety. Schackmel had problem with fire in her tank. She recommended a smoke detector above the tank.

So, by the end of this weekend, I will have my ground probe, my GFCI units and a smoke detector above my tank.

Again, I am glad you are OK.

Peace.......John.

 

I just bought both---I need to hook them up. Glad that you were not hurt.

 

Man, that was a close one.....

 

This is not true.

Current will travel on any and all paths available to it. If you, and a path to ground through a ground probe are its two choices, it will travel almost exclusively through the latter.

There is no better ground available than the one established by your home's wiring to the earth, to which your home's electrical system is attached. The national electrical code would have it no other way.

 

Absolutly right the probe is what saved me. The gfci is a great idea too.

 

If you don't have your entire aquarium system GFCI protected, now would be a good time. Chances are they will trip before you even felt the sensation of a shock.

 

Bump for having probe and for sharing this story!

It's so important!

 

Yes Dr Sparky my most esteemed colleague I would have to totally concur with your diagnoses . People are just a big resisters unlike the direct metal to building round to earth ..