what are the tell tale signs of stray current

[Kojek]

Hi all,

What are the tell tale signs of having stray voltage in a tank, and are there ways to prevent or contain this ?

Cheers

Kojek

[adrianlau]

test with a "test pen" - A screwdriver with a light bulb in the handle (<$3 from DIY shop). It doesn't come with instructions, in case you're not familiar with it: Touch the rear end of the handle and dip into the tank. If it lights up = there is electric current.

If there is any faulty equipment that is causing this, replace/repair it to cut the source of the stray current. Or else get a "Ground probe" from good LFS to resolve the stray current.

I'm not technically inclined, just sharing my experience.

[hammy]

if u happen to have a pH monitor, the reading will keep on jumping. of course, maybe it's just time to change the battery or probe.

[Oceandeep]

if could be the light touching the glass of the tank..

or pump....

best .. is off the power 1 by 1..

[wuming]

i cant find any LFS selling the Ground probe. can anyone pm me where can i find one ? Cos my tank is undergoing cycling, and i think my pump leaking current . the thing is my place my right hand finger into the water i will not get shock. but when i place middle finger with a wound on it, i got shock. its like a ant bite .

anything one can help me on this ?

[Kojek]

Hi all

Thanks for the feedback,

Yes happened to me too, with a cut on my hand i got a shock, and with a test pen it does not light up (To indicate stray voltage)

Is there another way to identify stray current ?

Cheers

Kojek

[wuming]

yup. Oh, i am not the only one . hmm, wonder if i can add in my Lifestocks . IF they got Electrocuted!!!!!!!!

HELP !!

[Zappy Kiwi]

Hi,

Personally, I used a testpen to test for stray voltage. (Those red-colour looking 'straight' screw-driver with a bulb at the end). Just touch the tip of the screw-driver, with ur thumb/finger at the top of the screw-driver. *Note* For the testpen to work, you must not wear any slippers, shoes. You must somehow be 'grounded'.

Alternatively, I would simply just touch the surface of the tank water with my fingertip. (This method is a bit dangerous). If you feel a 'tick' feeling, most probably some stray voltage exists in the tank.

If some stray voltage exists in your tank, to prevent getting the shock/'tick', you can try wearing rubber sole slippers.

For my case, I encountered stray voltage bcos I had a pump, those cheapo type (think is JBJ brand), whose housing lid is not completely water-proof. I had since changed that pump and nv buy those cheapo pumps again. Oh, surprising, even with those existing stray voltage, my fish seems ok. Mayb, the stray voltage isn't large enough. To find which device is causing the stray voltage, u could try turning off all the electrial devices, (circulation pump, lightning, etc) and turn them on one-by-one and test with the testpen.

Hope it helps!

[hammy]

hi guys ,

Pet mart and reefdepot is selling rounding probes.

However when u have stray current in your tank , it is better to change the equipment then just hve grounding probes.solve the problem at the root .