Grounding an Aquarium

[charlie lisanti]

Hello,
Since none of the LFS around here have grounding probes, I made one of my own. It makes sense, but I wanted to know if anybody else has any suggestions.
I took an aluminum rode (non-corrosive), and placed it into the aquarium. I wrapped copper wire around the top of the rod, outside of the water. I clamped the copper wire with a grounding clamp. I attached a metal box to the other end of the copper wire. I placed the metal box onto the carpet.
Should this do the trick?
Thanks, Charlie.

 

[broomer5]

Your carpet is most likely NOT a good electrical ground.
Aluminum to my best knowledge is not non-corrosive in saltwater.
Exposed copper around a saltwater tank may not be the best IMO.
You'd be best to either buy a titanium grounding probe with a wall socket grounding plug, or make one out of different materials.
Titanium is best, some will use 316 stainless steel. Getting to a good earth ground may be difficult or impractical - you can use an old 3-prong extension cord, REMOVE hot/neutral spades of the male end FIRST - and just plug it into the ground of your wall socket.
Or - You can order them complete online about anywhere they sell aquarium supplies.
HTH
Brian

 

[bobothewizard]

Buy one online... $9 I dont fool around with anything you have to plug in lol

 

[charlie lisanti]

Thanks for the info. The one place that I thought I would be in trouble is the carpet. I did not realize that the aluminum was a bad idea.
This is what prompted the whole thing. I purchased a Blue Hippo Tang from the LFS. They had just gotten the fish in a couple of days earlier. It looked great. It is captive raised. In about two days it had developed HLLE (I noticed several white concave spots on the head).
I called the LFS and they said I needed to get a grounding probe, but they did not sell them. They said to go to Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Neither had them, but the Home Depot helped me put this thing together.
I found several grounding probes on the net that I am going to look for. I wanted to help the poor fish asap because it happened so fast.
I have also seen where diet can be a problem. I think a combination of things bought on the HLLE. The probable bad diet over shipping and the LFS, the electric current, and the stress. The one thing is that it happened so fast.
Thanks, Again.