Electricity problem

[Bifferwine]

I really need anyone's help here. Lately my clams went downhill, then my zoanthids, and then my torch that I've had forever. I couldn't figure out the problem, water parameters are fine, I did dips and never found any predators. In the last few days, my snails all died.

Tonight I was feeding the fish, and when I put my hand in the water I got shocked. I tried putting my hands in all different places of the tank, and I was getting shocked every time. So I think I found the problem.

I have one of those grounding probes that hangs in my sump. I am going to move it to the main tank to see if it makes a difference.

What can I do to fix this before I lose any more animals? I'm totally freaking out. I mean, they were big shocks, not just little prickles.

[Bifferwine]

Update: I moved the grounding probe thingy into the main tank, and I'm not getting shocked anymore. I was under the impression that it would be okay in my sump since there is (supposedly) an unbroken "circuit" of water between the sump and main tank. I'll check back again in a little bit to see if I'm getting shocked or not, but I'm distraught over what damage may have been done to my animals. I know little to nothing about electricity. How do I fix this?

[Bifferwine]

Did some research. Guess I'm headed to Ace tomorrow to buy a voltmeter. This sucks. The shocks were so strong my fingers are still tingly. I'm so upset about my animals being exposed to this.

[cgoodman381]

Ok quick answer -- Take your grounding probe out. If you have something shorting in your system (pump/cooler/heater) you are creating a complete circuit from the short to the probe which is extremely harmful to the tank. The same goes for two shorting devices.

If the pump is shorting the current will stay local and should not harm anything.

[cgoodman381]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Did some research. Guess I'm headed to Ace tomorrow to buy a voltmeter. This sucks. The shocks were so strong my fingers are still tingly. I'm so upset about my animals being exposed to this.

Remember your going to want to test for current not voltage. Voltage is potential energy, where current is the actual flow of electrons. (what shocks you)

[Bifferwine]

So what is the point of having the grounding probe then, if I should take it out?

[cgoodman381]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

So what is the point of having the grounding probe then, if I should take it out?

I'm not really sure what your asking?

For me I dont see a point of having one. All it does is complete the circuit which could be whats happening. I would just try taking it out and seeing if your still getting jolts on your finger. If not, then try and find out what is shorting in your system.

[Bifferwine]

I was getting shocked when the probe was in the sump. I moved it into the main tank, and now I'm not. I've never been shocked by the tank before, but tonight I was barefooted, so that probably didn't help.

I'll do what you say about taking the probe out and then seeing if I still get shocked, but am going to wait until NoobDeBiff gets home from work so that he can call an ambulance if necessary . He'll be home in an hour and a half or so.

[cgoodman381]

Update: I moved the grounding probe thingy into the main tank, and I'm not getting shocked anymore.

Just read this as well. This seems to prove you have something shorting out in your system and moving the ground made a smaller circuit.

[Bifferwine]

So your guess is that whatever is shorting out is in the main tank, since moving the probe to the main tank eliminated me getting shocked?