Electrifying !

[david123]

Ive been reading on the net that it is very possible to electrocute yourself when naturally just putting your hand in the aquarium to change things etc.

This would obviously be caused by a faulty pump, heater etc

Now im concerned so I need to make sure the water is ok before i put my hands in.:jaw-dropping:

might sound odd but would my fish still be alive if the water was electrified?
because if they would die i suppose that could be the cheapest way of finding out my water is electrocuted? - lol

Anyone have any suggestions on this?

were to buy whatever i need from or any DIY solutions out there?

thanks guys

 

[Eupterus]

My tanks are FW, however I assume the same applies?...I had a mild electrical current going in my 55 gal and yes all of my plecos survived.
When I touched the water, I felt a strong tingling sensation.

 

[dorkfish]

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) will save you in the event that your water is "electrified".You can get one that plugs into your existing socket, or just change out the socket to one with a GFCI built in. It'll cost you about $20 and up.

I don't think the fish would get electrocuted and "warn you"... salt water is quite conductive, and I wouldn't imagine the fishes bodies providing the electricity an easier route.

 

[jojo22]

Or buy a grounding probe and then you will be safe, BUT a GFI outlet is always a good idea.

 

[david123]

thanks for the info ill have a look to see what i can find

cheers

 

[clown-lover]

I have done both, converted a normal circuit to a GFI circuit and added a grounding probe as a backup. After Grins had her electrifying experience with her heater it was my decision just so I had a backup plan.

 

[BeelzeBob]

well i have personally shocked the living **** out myself, but not due to stray current.

while i was messin around doin some aquascaping like 2 months after i set up my reef, the top off tube fell out, and drained onto my wall, saturating the socket.

BGB, unaware< reached around to unplug the powerestrip.

i knocked out power to all 3 apartments in my building, burnt my hand, and my ear was bleeding, like that brat in Jurassic park.

really sucked.

they make "probes" for that sort of thing, i think

 

[Grins]

Definitely install a GFI outlet or strip. I prefer the outlet myself. Even with it though I was recently shocked by a faulty powerhead. The fish were fine but you should have seen my son jump. Unfortunately some of the inverts didn't fare well.

 

[Max]

The reason the fish don't get shocked is that they don't provide a path for the electricity to discharge. You touching the water and touching the floor do provide that path of least resistance. It can be quite the umh pants wetting experience so do install gfi, do make sure your tank is grounded and do be careful.
cheers

 

[trippkid]

well i have personally shocked the living **** out myself, but not due to stray current.

while i was messin around doin some aquascaping like 2 months after i set up my reef, the top off tube fell out, and drained onto my wall, saturating the socket.

BGB, unaware< reached around to unplug the powerestrip.

i knocked out power to all 3 apartments in my building, burnt my hand, and my ear was bleeding, like that brat in Jurassic park.

really sucked.

they make "probes" for that sort of thing, i think

Holy crap bob, you're lucky to still be here after something like that.