Grounding probe.

[aquadoc]

Does anyone else use grounding probes in there tanks? Just wondering, I have been useing mine for a little over a year, and have noticed a big difference with the quality of my fish epseacialy with the tangs. It is suppost to relieve stress caused by stray electrical current. If you do not use one, I would suggest it. They are only like 10.00$, and it is worth it IMO.

[hobogato]

like to get one, but i don't know where in San Antonio. anybody know?

[alton]

Grounding Probes are great but please check the receptacle for stray voltage before you plug it in! If you live in a rocky soil please check your grounding system. If your grounding system is poor your aquarium will become your grounding system.

[jim1000]

Best bet is to do like many do, is to put a coper rod in the ground out side and use that as a ground (removes the possibility of ground loop current, whitch can cause drastick problems in a tank.) You are talking maybe 20-25 dollars and well worth the price.
Jim

[hobogato]

so you just run a wire from some part of your tank (in the water) to the copper rod in the ground?

[GaryP]

Alton, what about the clay based soils like in my area? Would I be OK using a grounding probe?

[alton]

Let me see if I can keep this simple? Check to see if you have a ground rod at your service. A typical service is where your power company meter is located next to either a panel or disconnect outside your home or in your basement. At your service panel or disconnect you should have a #6 min. solid copper wire that runs down the wall or pole into the ground attached to an 8’ ground rod. The ground rod is buried to protect the connection. If you have the type of soil that cracks a lot when it gets dry or rocky soil, then water around your ground rod. I have checked homes in and around SA and sometimes have found no ground rod at the service. Please call an electrical contractor if you can not find one. Maybe we can do a class in the future on grounding and protecting yourself, fish and equipment.

[hobogato]

have a grounding rod on my house electrical system, what would i need to do to ground my tank using it?

[alton]

Taam Inc. which is incorporated with Rio makes a grounding probe that you plug into your house hold receptacle and it utilizes the existing grounding system. Texas Tropical carries these.

[jim1000]

The problem with many homes is the ground does not run to each outlet, they use conduit for a ground and the connections betwen (sp) are very poor after a while. Just run a 10 or 12 gage wire from the ground outside to the ground to your tank.

Jim

[hobogato]

what do you mean the "ground to my tank"? all of the plugs on my system are the three prong grounded plugs.

[obtusewit]

I have written volumes about electrical systems and safety..GROUND PROBES ARE WORTHLESS!!!! See this thread

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=5492&high light=

[aquadoc]

I use them, before I was getting a slight shocking feeling when I put my hand in the water. When I got the ground probe that Just plugs in the wall, it went away. Seems to work for me. Never had any problems. Also running a wire that goes from outside to the tank, wouldn't you have to drill a hole in the wall, or something like that? What is the purpose of the three pronged plug, and the three pronged receptacle? Isn't it for grounding your products? Not being snooty, just curious.

[obtusewit]

The reason you are no longer getting shocked is due to the fact that the ground probe offers less resistance to ground, which means that you have electrical current flowing through your tank from the source (powerhead?) to ground. And, guess what, you are paying for those watts you are sending to ground, CPS appreciates that! If you were getting shocked and added a ground probe, it is kind of like painting over rust to stop the rust....its still there, just out of sight and out of mind

[alton]

Nice article, morale of the story is only use equipment that has a ground. Maybe we can tap the top of the water with one finger for safety measures before we commit our whole arm into the aquarium. And remember check your GFCI's often, most brands fail on!

[brewercm]

morale of the story is only use equipment that has a ground

And I thought the morale of the story was to always have my wife test the water first. :lol

JK kidding dear if you are reading this. :unsure

[aquadoc]

Thanks for all of the info. I was useing a 802 in my fuge(it was the only thing that did not have a ground on it), I unplugged it and unplugged the ground probe too. There was no shocking affect anymore. I agree only use electronics for fish tanks that only have a 3 prong plugs..
Thanks.

[pilot_bell777]

OK....the only thing I will have in my tank (electrical) is one pump for the skimmer and it is three prong, am I good to go without a grounding rod?

[alton]

I am guessing you meant grounding probe not rod? I know some people who have used them for years and swear by them. I think what has come from this post is that they can be used to ground the system in the event there is a sudden short in the equipment. But if you are getting shocked, find the bad equipment and replace it. And most important check or have someone qualified to check the grounding system at your service on your home. Because with out a proper grounding system your grounding receptacles won't protect you, and you will add voltage to your aquarium using a grounding probe.

[tgray]

How could one test a system (besides the "someone else touch the water test"). Is there a simple device a person could use to periodically test their tanks? If so what would be the proper procedure? multimeter? test light?

[alton]

Multi-meter, install one probe into the water and the other into the grounding terminal of the receptacle. Please check to see that you do not have voltage between the grounding and grounded terminals of the receptacle.