Stray voltage ?

[Jody]

Hi All

I am away from home right now , returning in 5-6 days my wife is looking after my tanks :crazy:

So today she was doing something with my frag tank and got a shock from the water so she says

I know i could use my multimeter and check it out , but im not home and my wife is not going to test it with a multimeter just not going to happen :shakehead:

So would a volt stick work ? I have one and im sure she can use it , just turn it on put the tip in the water check for voltage or well it need to be grounded ?

I don't think its stray voltage i guess its faulty equipment

The tank has the following equipment

Light fixture
heater
power head
protein skimmer

 

[greech]

I wouldn't...

http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19911218.html

"29 CFR 1910.303 (a) and (b) require that electrical equipment be "approved", meaning listed or labeled by a NRTL. Since the "Volt Stick" has not been listed or labeled by a NRTL, it does not meet 29 CFR 1910.303 (a) and (b) standards. The exposed metal clip, aluminum case and cap make the "Volt Stick" a potential conductor and may expose the user to the hazards of electrical shocks."

I would definitely figure out if SV is an issue. Can be stressful on livestock. If its's the heater, it could be a bad sign that it may blow. Is it a Stealth heater by chance? How bad is the shock? Not that this is safe either but how about unplugging the heater and seeing if the shock is still there?

 

[Jody]

Its a old heater not sure on brand but i do know its a cheap one and its not a stealth thinking maybe a tetra,

My volt stick is not a conductor its all molded plastic no metal parts but its not water proof only the tip would be as its a molded part , its appoved by c CSA us, CE, TUV, C-Tick. CSA is a NRTL

Even if i had my wife unplug the heater how would i know if the shock was still there unless she put her hand in the tank again, and she told me it was a bad shock her arm went numb for awhile :flamed:

It is a frag tank with only snails and not sure if there alive or not

 

[Jody]

Update

The wife unplugged all the equipment other then the light and installed a old powerhead I had as spare

so i hope the tank well be fine for next few days

Thanks all