Electricity Leakage into the Tank

[loppnessmonsta]

Ok so this is really driving me crazy.

I recently cut my nails.

I put my hand in my tank and was shocked.

I dipped my fresh cut thumb into the tank and started flipping everything back on.

The more pumps and powerheads on the more I felt the current.

I narrowed down the main current to my Media reactor pump but I am also getting a current from my new MP10 Vortech.

I mean when I put my finger in w/o cutting my nails I cant sense a current.

So give it a try.

Let me know if u guys get the same thing or have any input on this...???...???

 

[PilotWolf]

Don't know why you are getting current in the tank but it's not a good thing and sure I don't need to tell you potentially deadly...

If you cut your nails really short it's likely that the softer skin is more sensitive to the current as are mucus membranes - you can't feel the voltage of a 9v battery by putting your fingers across the terminals but you sure as hell can if you do it with your tongue

Try putting your fingers in a glass of tank water in case it is just a feeling because of the freshly exposed skin.

W.

 

[loppnessmonsta]

With all of the power off nothing. The Pumps transmit electricity into the tank. I tried them 1 by 1. The media reactor pump is in the sump and I still felt it. Even the MP10 leaked some. So I think I might try to measure it

 

[loppnessmonsta]

Bite a nail off and try it in your tank

 

[pgr11]

First check it with a volt meter. How would the mp10 be leaking voltage into the tank? This I don't understand

 

[PilotWolf]

I cut my nails last night and had my hands in the tank earlier today and felt nothing...

W.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

+1, obviously you got some voltage there but check it with a voltmeter. if you are getting a shock its like going to be 50 volts and up...this would indicate a malfunctioning pump or heater etc. remove that item completely and toss it. small amounts of voltage can be normal but not usually unless the tank is quite large (500g and up with a lot of equipment and motion)

First check it with a volt meter. How would the mp10 be leaking voltage into the tank? This I don't understand

 

[loppnessmonsta]

ok pulled the brand spankin new Clamp meter out. Now... uh how the F do I use this thing. ACA Extern AL ACV 750, DCV 1000, Ohm 20k????? WTF im no electrician

 

[loppnessmonsta]

It also has 3 plugs Ohm and EXT??
Where do I plug the black and red in

 

[loppnessmonsta]

Its not a shock but I can feel it. I tried a bunch of setting and I have no clue how 2 work this thang

 

[PilotWolf]

Depends on the machine but try :

Black lead in - or COM
Red lead in + or maybe DC/AC, volts? What are options.

I would select AC at 150 or nearest above 120V then try turning down range until it registers (some auto select voltage..)

Failing that try on DC but if coming from equipment the unlikely.

I have no idea if putting probes in the water will even work. Maybe the black -ve needs to be connected to the socket - ve?

W.

 

[loppnessmonsta]

Measuring 0 volts. Measures 5 volts near the MP10 Vortech inside the tank

 

[loppnessmonsta]

I just stuck the clamp in LOL. In the water 0. The closer I got to pumps it went up

 

[PilotWolf]

I would use the probes...

I doubt you would feel 5v like that.

W.

 

[espinobj]

My wife and I had this happen on our show tank last year and it killed every piece of our coral almost 10 k worth. Turned out to be a bad return pump so we replaced it. We now proactively have a titanium ground in the tank and check quarterly with the ground out for stray voltage. I havnt had a mp10 before but I believe they don't place any electricial component into your tank. It's all magnetics through the glass. This strong magnetic field may also be giving a false positive. But if you felt a sting....

 

[espinobj]

Sorry I'm on my phone. If you felt a sting I could see stray voltage being possible. Try a higher quality multimeter. Also placement shouldn't play a role in readings. I would put the multimeter to read milivolts. Anything over say 75 or 100 I think is too much. Also be proactive and buy a quality titanium ground. Mine ran 20$ from amazon. Much better than loosing your corals and inverts.

 

[bad santa]

If your going to use a grounding probe, please use it in conjunction with a gfci protected outlet.

 

[wickedfish]

Mp10 isn't the problem.

You need a ground like a screw on a light fixture for the negative probe point and then dip the red probe in the water,
Preferably near what device you suspect. Cheap power heads or pumps are almost always the problem oh and cracked heaters. Skimmer pumps and returns as well.

I've had bad luck in my 4 years. I've had 3 heaters leak, a Swc 120 pump leak, a couple power heads, and uv pump.

I usually find out quick since I rarely have shoes on and work on the tank or make contact while feeding or testing the water.

One at a time have someone flip the pumps on until you get current read on the meter. Then take that thing and smash it.

I had a bad koralia that was old in my sump not too long ago.
But small leaks of electricity can't do anything except zap large crybabies.

If you have your stuff plugged into a DJ strip it's a lot easier to locate the "leaker", good luck.

 

[wickedfish]

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Electricity-Could-Be-Used-To-Grow-Coral-Reefs-95394.shtml

 

[n@no]

Had that problem last year one of my pumps was leaking everytime i put my hands in my tank felt shock so i replace the pump.