Another question about ground probes

[clarkiiclo]

I have been looking at a few comercially made ground probes.
It looks like basically all it is a rod(titanium in most cases)
that has a wire attached to it. This wire is insulated. At the other end is either a 3 prong plug with 2 plastic plugs and one metal or a O-ring.
So basically it is a rod with a wire that would hook into the ground of the outlet?

 

[nas19320]

Some have a plug and others have a loop connector that is supposed to be attached to a grounded screw of the outlet.

 

[clarkiiclo]

That is what I thought. I am gonna try to make one.

 

[nas19320]

I've heard of people using bicycle spokes to make them, though for $10-15 most people just buy them. Good luck with it.

 

[clarkiiclo]

Well I thought I may have the stuff laying around to make one.
I have also heard people who say dont use them because if you do have stray voltages in the tank when you add the ground rod you will allow the current to pass through the water.
The current could possibly pass through your fish. Not a good thing.
They explained it like the bird on the wire. He is fine unless he touches 2 wires at the same time and then

So I dont know what to do.
Im so confused!

 

[nas19320]

Yup I've heard that also. I don't use one but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be using one.

 

[bang guy]

Scenario:
No grounding probe and no GFCI.
A powerhead malfunctions. The tank ian't grounded so everything appears fine except the powerhead isn't running.
Hobbiest reaches for the powerhead and is electrocuted.
It could happen. Or you could bump the light into the water, or you could break a heater.
Without the probe the breaker won't trip until you stick your hand in there and then it's too late. With GFCI and a probe the GFCI will switch off as soon as there's a problem.

 

[clarkiiclo]

I totally understand that. What do you think about the current running through your fish?
Do you think that is an issue to consider?

 

[bang guy]

I love fish but they still take a second seat to human safety in my book.
I have also witnessed anecdotal evidence that the opposite is true where a probe has been the only addition to reverse HLLE.

 

[clarkiiclo]

That is what I have heard too. I just wanted to know what everyone else thought.

 

[yellowtail]

what gfci would you guys reccomend?any certain size for a certian tank size?

 

[nas19320]

I think GFCI outlets are pretty standard as far as I know.

 

[sebae0]

yes they are pretty standard just use one rated for the amps on the line you will be tying into to.(15amp or 20 amp) i have a grounding probe and i think that my tank has done better since adding, also i look at it this way i think a stray current causes stress on the fish affecting the lateral line not actually shocking or electrocuting the fish, if that was the case everytime lighting struck the water all fish in a certain radius would be dead. it was always my assumption that fish a nuetral.