Stray Voltage in Aquarium

[wpeterson]

I recently installed a grounding probe to my GFCI power source for my tank. I also bought a multimeter to measure any leaking/stray voltage in the tank. I measured voltage by setting multimeter to volt metering, attaching negative probe to ground socket on power supply, putting positive probe in the tank.

There appears to be about 25-30 volts reading on my tank. I went through an isolated each piece of equipment and both my heater and a pump seem to be generating/leaking voltage, about 10-15 volts each.

Is this a problem? Is this unusual? Some source online said anything under 50 volts is normal from equipment or induction of flowing power within the tank. A handful of other BRS members have measured similar voltage in their tanks.

Have you measured your tank for stray voltage? How much is too much? what are the impacts of low, but present voltage like 20-30 volts. Any information appreciated.

 

[letoan]

To be honest, I'll replace the heaters if I were you.

I can live with a little stray if its coming from a low power DC source, we're talking about 110-120v AC here.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ro_nicu]

put in a GFCI receptacle dedicated to the tank; if it trips you have an issue. I would also replace equipment that you think causes this just for the peace of mind; however, if a properly installed GFCI does not trip than it should not be a safety issue.

 

[phg1960]

Dumb question, but I have to ask. Was your ground probe installed when you too these measurements?

 

[dannyp02908]

I never was a fan of ground probes on tanks. Voltage isn't an issue. Current is. By adding the grounding probe, you complete the current path and allow that voltage potential to become harmful.

 

[wpeterson]

Dumb question, but I have to ask. Was your ground probe installed when you too these measurements?

Not a dumb question. I removed the grounding-probe itself from the tank. I used the ground-plug portion of the grounding kit in the socket because it made direct contact with the grounding socket and exposed a grounding loop. I put the negative test prove from the multimeter on the grounding loop of the plug. The test probe was so small it moved around in the grounding socket and I wanted to avoid accidentally touching a negative lead inside the power strip.

 

[phg1960]

There are many opinions on this issue and I doubt that stray voltage had anything to do with your clown jumping.

Quick story. Mu sump is located in my basement. One summer day, I was barefoot, standing on concrete and reach into the sump to draw water for testing. Got a sensation like a large cut being submersed into saltwater. There was no cut. Tank voltage measured 35 volts. Tracked it down to the heater. Then added a ground probe. If it comes down to me or the fish getting electrocuted, I'll pick the fish.

 

[wpeterson]

My GFCI has not tripped at all, which should mean there is not enough current flowing through the grounding probe into the GFCI to trip it.

The voltage here is another matter, which is what I was hoping to put in context. Those of you with multimeters, I'd love to see what your tanks read out if you have a few minutes to check.

 

[phg1960]

If your GCFI has not tripped,with the ground probe installed, there is less than 30 milliamps flowing. That is the max trip point for GFCI's.

Want to know what is flowing? Remove your ground probe, set your meter to AC amps, one probe in the water one to ground. The display will the current flow. You could have 20,000 volts in there and have little to no current flow.

 

[Pinkskunk]

so should i use the ground probe in the tank or not? LOL

 

[Marshall O]

Ground probe plugged into a GFCI protected outlet

 

[G.T]

I recently had tingling fingertips while playing in the tank. I hate stray voltage, and traced it down to an almost new Finnex digital heater. which was removed at once. no voltage in the tank is good!!!!!

 

[dannyp02908]

You only felt tingling fingers because your body completed the path to ground. Do you have gfci? It should have tripped. If your finnex is like mine, it is 3 pronged cord which means it is a grounded appliance.

 

[G.T]

You only felt tingling fingers because your body completed the path to ground. Do you have gfci? It should have tripped. If your finnex is like mine, it is 3 pronged cord which means it is a grounded appliance.

yes its on a gfci but it did not trip. And yes its 3 prong, now removed and replaced with a new one.

 

[Overlook reef]

I had 45 volts when I measured mine. I put a ground probe in and have not had a problem.

 

[wpeterson]

The GFCI will protect you from dangerous current that can injure you (~ 30mAmps threshold to cut out).

The grounding plug will help drain the voltage you or the fish experience that's unpleasant.

 

[dannyp02908]

The voltage in the tank can not be felt until the path is competed. A grounding probe completes that path. So will your body. Grounded appliances provide an alternate completion path in case of an issue