LF: Grounding probe (Calgary)

kien · #1 03-14-2010, 08:08 AM

1. I don't suppose anyone has one they don't need anymore?
2. Where's the best place to get one?

Leah · #2 03-14-2010, 03:57 PM

Kien,

I got mine from J&L.

Tom R · #3 03-14-2010, 04:05 PM

Most LFS have them for $10 to $15

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...oduct_ID=mc-gp

Seamazter · #4 03-14-2010, 04:25 PM

Oceans has them i seen on the shelf near the till.

mike31154 · #5 03-15-2010, 04:41 PM

Before you take the plunge and add one of these devices, have a quick read of the info provided in the following links. I believe it's from a reputable source and food for thought. Personally I don't use a grounding probe, but do use GFCI devices on all equipment hooked up to my system.

http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM...ingProbes.html

http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM...alDetails.html

kien · #6 03-15-2010, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the articles. I have actually ready those a little while ago. In recent days I have been doing more research on grounding probes and current in the tank, and one thread here I recently read:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...g+probe&page=3 suggests that they are a good idea and lots of people have been using them without issue.

I do have a GFCI on this tank (the shallow Lagoon), and it does not trip. But when I put my hand in that tank last week (I had a cut on my finger) I got a nice zap! Ouch! I know it is not just the salt in the water stinging me because I can put that same cut hand into my 150g mixed reef without getting zapped and neither tanks have grounding probes.

I started to do some debugging (unplugging stuff) until I found what was leaking voltage. Well, it wasn't pretty.. My return pump and all 3 tunze powerheads are leaking a little bit of voltage. Individually they don't seem to be leaking a lot, but when you put all 4 components together it is enough to give me a zap on my cut finger but not trip the GFCI. I stuck my non cut up finger in that tank and no zap so I don't think it is cause of enormous concern, but something I should probably address with a grounding probe. At this point I'm not sure I want to trash all 4 components, they are brand new

calgaryreefer · #7 03-15-2010, 06:24 PM

I never thought too much about this before, as non of my equipment in my tank seem to be leaking, i put my hand in the tank when its cut and no zap, but then when i started to use single end bulbs and retrofit style reflectors where the wiring sucks, thats when i got my zap, whenever i touch my water and reflectors, i feel a current running through me until i put a probe in my tank, seems to have solved the problem of me getting zap, and its been a year since i added that probe and no lost of corals or fish that i don't know the cause of it.