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Shocking!!!!! Questions that need answered.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by saltwaternewbee, Oct 8, 2011.

  1. saltwaternewbee

    saltwaternewbee Inactive User

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    My wife just called me and said she got shocked when she reached into the tank to move a coral. I had her unplug everything 1 item at a time. She said that after she unplugged the reeflo dart it didn't shock her. My question is if a motor and pump system are independant on that pump..
    How can it transfer current into the tank and are my fish in danger or just my wife?
    Any idea where i can get a grounding probe and will this elimanate the problem?
    Do i need to get the pump sent in for repairs?
    Thanks
    Rich
     
  2. Killernights

    Killernights Inactive User

    217
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    stray voltage can cause damage to the aquarium, but it can be VERY dangerous to people. i dont know how the external pump would be sending voltage into the water, unless metal parts in the prop are somehow in direct contact with your electricity. a grounding probe will help, but i would check if your pump has a short, if so i would send it in for repairs.   i would take a volt meter and put one probe in the water and ground the other probe and see how much voltage it is reading
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

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    ritch up her life insurance and have her clean the tank lol j/k
     
  4. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    That is shocking...you're right...the motor and pump are independent. There is another possibility. It's possible that it could be a heater that just kicked about the same time as the Dart. I would do more experimenting to verify that it's the Dart. They have grounded cords. I wonder if it's possible that whatever the pump is on is conducting. Where is the pump in relation to where she was standing? You can get Titanium grounding probes on eBay for about $10.

    --AJ
     
  5. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
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    If the seal is bad on the pump a little bit of leaking water can be touching the motor housing and you could have a short in the motor so the voltage will go through the small leak and and into your system I had a genx pump do this a few years ago.
     
  6. saltwaternewbee

    saltwaternewbee Inactive User

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    The pump sits below and to the right side of the sump..it's sitting on a 2x6 sandwiched between 2 pieces of 1/2" rubber belting. She unplugged everything in the system except for the main pump and was still shocked. Do you think Craig has 1 at the store so I don't have to wait? Ill take a look when I get off work too.
     
  7. areefoffaith

    areefoffaith Inactive User

    606
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    you may want to look into installing a grounding probe
     
  8. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
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    Too bad your not closer to des moines I have an extra dart id sell you
     
  9. saltwaternewbee

    saltwaternewbee Inactive User

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    How much for the pump?
     
  10. glaspie69

    glaspie69 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i dont know if im going to explain this right but ill try......before u spend a bunch of money on a new return pump u should do some re checking, when i return pump is running it acts like a circuit, when you shut it off the circuit stops running, the water will carry the current of whatever is leaking it. If it doesnt make sense call me and i'll try explaining it 319-464-6939
     
  11. Alpjr

    Alpjr Guest

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    u should still look in to a grounding probe there not to bad there like 21 bucks at a local pet store all water carries current, i would advise it on anytank just to be sure your **** dont go out and u happen to not be home and boom fryed sushi for dinner. i may be new to this hobby but im studying up so i dont epicly fail lmao
     
  12. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
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    +7 / 1 / -0
    i will take $180 for the dart I also have a goby gold i'll sell for $275
     
  13. Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Im curious about a grounding probe. Does it just hang in the tank like a heater? Seems lke an awesome solution to prevent disaster. If something did start makung current, does the probe allert you?
     
  14. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=grounding+probe






    /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/tongue.gif

     
  15. Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    lol shoosh you!
     
  16. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Nice...
     
  17. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    I'm sorry, I have been dying to use that one forever! 
     
  18. Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    haha no worries. If it helps at all, I used it /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif
     
  19. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Get a multimeter and figure out what is causing the short. Like AJ said, it could as easily and more commonly be the heater leaking stray voltage. Just stick the red probe into the water and the black probe into the ground pin on an outlet. Check everything one at a time.

    Even after you find out what it is, still get a grounding probe. They're definitely worth it.
     
  20. Mrs. Saltwaternewbee

    Mrs. Saltwaternewbee Inactive User

    10
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    Or it could be your wife is just plain crazy and she is the one short circuiting .....
     

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