stray voltage in my tank

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by Gnu, Apr 24, 2012.

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  1. Gnu

    Gnu Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I recently checked my voltage in my tank and it was at 19. That crazy I think and started seeing what it was. I have a mag7 running the gfo and bio bellets and I unplugged that and it went down to 15. Then I unplugged 2 power heads and it went down to 9. I just wondering if that means that these are going bad or are bad. They work fine though. I installed a ground probe and it wiped it all out. Now Im showing nothing on the meter. Is this normal? Will the fish get ill from the stray voltage?

    I had the heater plugged directly in to the wall, but had to move it to the power strip so I can plug the probe into the GFI.

    Also I have a coral life titanium heater in the sump with the external controller. If I unplug that from the power strip the voltage goes back to 19. Then I plug it back in and the voltage is gone. Is that also acting as a ground?
     
    Gnu, Apr 24, 2012
    Gnu, Apr 24, 2012
    #1

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  2. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    That is the purpose of the grounding probe. So you have fixed the issue
     
    Jason McKenzie, Apr 25, 2012
    Jason McKenzie, Apr 25, 2012
    #2
  3. Biocube

    Biocube Giant Squid

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    Not to sound dumb but how do you check for voltage in the water?

    Take a multimeter and plug the Black probe into the Ground hole and the Red probe into the water?
     
    Biocube, Apr 25, 2012
    Biocube, Apr 25, 2012
    #3
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    I plug my DIY grounding plug into my wall outlet, and my GFCI adapter (works well btw) into the other, and everything runs off of it.

    My voltage still went to 0 with the GP, and everything seems fine.
     
    Todd_Sails, Apr 25, 2012
    Todd_Sails, Apr 25, 2012
    #4
  5. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Yes, try it sometime.

    I have a whole thread about it somewhere on here.
     
    Todd_Sails, Apr 25, 2012
    Todd_Sails, Apr 25, 2012
    #5
  6. Biocube

    Biocube Giant Squid

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    I just tried it and I found .89 of stray voltage. Looks like Nanos have smaller stray voltage amounts ;).

    Thanks for helping out, I'll be placing an order for a probe tonight.
     
    Biocube, Apr 25, 2012
    Biocube, Apr 25, 2012
    #6

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  7. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    If that's it, 0.89? I wouldn't even worry 'bout it.

    Ferfet a 'bout it! - my best mob wise guy rendition.

    I made my own grounding probe- really easy!
    1. Get a utility type plug, 3 prong from the HW store.
    2. Get a suitable wire- the length you need.
    3. Use a piece of Stainless Steel. ( A inexpensive piece of SS silverware comes to mind!)
    I used some old SS sailboat parts I had lying around.
    4. On the three prong plug, only attch the wire to the third prong- the round one. When you plug it in, this attached the line to the house ground.
    5. Put the other end of the wire on the SS, and hang it in your sump, or tank.

    Viola! Grounding probe.
     
    Todd_Sails, Apr 26, 2012
    Todd_Sails, Apr 26, 2012
    #7