K4's seeping current into water

[coraline79]

reached into my sump and felt a tingling sensation last night. Looks like both of my koralias are seeping current in to my water. I am assuming that to be bad, although nothing looked bad...infact everything is really starting to get comfortable. anything I should look/watch for in the tank? I am going to have to get new powerheads too, this weekend. Anyone have any k4 equiv's?

[jrsatx20]

Call me 8835870

[coraline79]

Thanks Bro, I already PM'd him.

[Dee]

I've been noticing people having issues with Koralia's. How common is this becomming? Anything specific to watch for? This is all I have in my tank so I'm getting a little concerned.

Dee

[coraline79]

I have had a K2, bought new, in my 30 gallon for 1.5 years, and it has worked flawlessly. I got a super deal on these 2 k4s about a 6 months ago used. Probably my fault for buying used equipment, but it cost me 25 for the pair, and a small favor for a fellow reefer.

[Jeff]

when electricity is passed through saltwater it makes chlorine. that is what usually kills the fish and not the current.

[coraline79]

wow good to know! I have both of them unplugged, but not sure if it is them or circuit in the wall not grounded right possibly.

[wwarriner]

Rio powerheads are also highly known to do that as well.

[sampsonndelila]

when electricity is passed through saltwater it makes chlorine. that is what usually kills the fish and not the current.

I owe you an apology I read this and in my head I called you crazy. I said NO WAY. But I stand corrected. Although it still makes no sense to me, it is true. Chlorine, from salt water using electric current?

You learn new things every day.

[cbianco]

reached into my sump and felt a tingling sensation last night. Looks like both of my koralias are seeping current in to my water. I am assuming that to be bad, although nothing looked bad...infact everything is really starting to get comfortable. anything I should look/watch for in the tank? I am going to have to get new powerheads too, this weekend. Anyone have any k4 equiv's?

I don't know about your pump specifically but there has been a recall on some of the Hydor Koralias. Email the manufacturer to see if your pump is included in this recall.

Christopher

[coraline79]

cool thanks for the heads up!

[alton]

A quick reminder run all submersible pumps through a GFCI receptacle and test often

[Bill S]

Also note that ALL magnetic pumps - whether submersed, or not - will add current to your tank. I found this out with my big tank right after I set it up. I took a multimeter, and EVERY pump added a little bit of current - I checked them all. If you have enought, you will get a tingle:

Be sure that all pumps are connected to GFCI protected outlets.

Add a grounding probe - they are cheap.

[coraline79]

My pumps run off of a gfci protect APS1500 Uninterupted power supply. It is a spare battery backup from my last jobs server room.

[puretexn]

I owe you an apology I read this and in my head I called you crazy. I said NO WAY. But I stand corrected. Although it still makes no sense to me, it is true. Chlorine, from salt water using electric current?

You learn new things every day.


I work at a chemical plant that produces Chlorine. Saltwater (Brine) is introduced to high DC voltage. The outcome is Chlorine, Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, aka lye) and Hydrogen. Crazy how stuff works sometimes

PT

[ErikH]

Get a grounding plug either way. Ten bucks for less headache and stress is worth it. I had 3 K4s go out on me in the same manner. I bought all new ones and use the old ones to mix salt.... quickly....

[coraline79]

OK, so I am a little confused now. It is ok to have this, just get a grounding plug???

[oceancube]

thats why every aquarium should have in insump grounding probe for crap like this!!!!