Random SHOCK!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by lorenz0

how can it be the light myka? I have a jbj viper and the base is made of plastic, which touches plastic and plastic isn't very conductive

It was the on/off switch causing the shock. I think the switch was touching the glass, but I didn't think glass was conductive...? I don't really know. All I know is that if the light is plugged in when I stick my hand in the water I will get zapped. Unplug light, and no shock. I usually leave it plugged in though because it really ain't that bad, and the plug in is hard to reach on that tank.

[lorenz0]

umm interesting. I will have to see if it zaps me once the lights turn off.

[Triggz]

Ive had this happen with a faulty heater.. Pull it out and check the water.

[Binare]

Its current that kills, not voltage and I promise ya any heater or light your running draws enough current to kill ya, fix those issues before ya guys go stickin your hands in the tank

On a side note, water is actually a very good insulator doesn't conduct electricity very well at all, the minerals in water do though.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Binare

Its current that kills, not voltage and I promise ya any heater or light your running draws enough current to kill ya, fix those issues before ya guys go stickin your hands in the tank

If I had a dollar for every time my tanks zapped me in the last 20 years I would be able to build that 8' FOWLR I really want. The lights that zap me on a regular basis these days are a set of 2x54w T5s. It's just a tickle. I've been zapped by heaters too, and they seem to pack more punch. I imagine getting zapped by halides would be concerning. I've been zapped by baseboard heaters too, and random 110v wires in houses when the electrician assured me they were off, and I cut the wires. Damn Sparky (the electrician). I was zapped by 240v once...I highly recommend avoiding that. Hindsight doesn't even make that one funny!

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Myka

If I had a dollar for every time my tank zapped me in the last 20 years I would be able to build that 8' FOWLR I really want. The lights that zap me on a regular basis these days are a set of 2x54w T5s. It's just a tickle. I've been zapped by heaters too, and they seem to pack more punch. I imagine getting zapped by halides would be concerning.

+1 *Knocks on wood*

Who ever has died after getting electrocuted from there fish tank please post now:

[jorjef]

Since we are talking about testing equipment try this test on for giggles....Need to know if the stove is grounded correct

Step one ..... use a metal pot to make some pudding ( flavor optional)

Step two....... stir said pudding with a full metal spoon... like a teaspoon

Step three...... reach over to the kitchen sink (stainless steel) WHILE at the same time stirring the pudding in the metal pot with your metal spoon and see what happens..


Happened to a girl friend many years ago and try to figure out what happened after you hear the scream and run into the kitchen to find her laid out on her back with pudding dripping from the ceiling.

[Binare]

Originally Posted by Myka

If I had a dollar for every time my tanks zapped me in the last 20 years I would be able to build that 8' FOWLR I really want. The lights that zap me on a regular basis these days are a set of 2x54w T5s. It's just a tickle. I've been zapped by heaters too, and they seem to pack more punch. I imagine getting zapped by halides would be concerning. I've been zapped by baseboard heaters too, and random 110v wires in houses when the electrician assured me they were off, and I cut the wires. Damn Sparky (the electrician). I was zapped by 240v once...I highly recommend avoiding that. Hindsight doesn't even make that one funny!

I could go on forever about this subject, but hey, what do I know

[mike31154]

Don't dismiss the lights, particularly flourescents, as the cause for your tickles. Fluorescents in particular can induce a fair amount of voltage into your water via the electromagnetic fields produced by them. If you have clip on individual reflectors such as on a T5HO retro set up, make sure you ground them as well. I used to get a good tingle when brushing up against them with my hand in the water. Grounding the reflectors helped mitigate this, but there will still be some voltage induced into the water by the EMF produced by the light tube.

Here's a link with a little more in depth info. Talks about GFCIs as well and has some thoughts regarding grounding probes.

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GFI...alDetails.html

[daniella3d]

Yes I would unplug the heater and test again if you get shocked. This is serious so unplug first.

Originally Posted by Triggz

Ive had this happen with a faulty heater.. Pull it out and check the water.