Grounding probes and GFCI...IMPORTANT

[ctgretzky9]

I have a grounding probe, and it works great for small measurements of stray voltage. I had 14 or so stray volts running through the tank at one point, added the grounding probe, and eliminated the stray voltage. However, I did it before I added the GFCI a week later, because I didint realize the following, fatal information:
Article in the Jan issue of Coral magazine:
"If you want to take saftey one step further, you can ground your aquarium with a grounding probe. If current enters the water, (for example, from an improperly insulated cable of the pump) this option has the current run straight into the ground without flowing through your body first.
This is pretty elegant protecion from an electrical shock, but absolutely requires a GFCI!
The reason is simple. Any other part or device such as the casing of a lamp, may accidentally carry current. And if the aquarist touches the lamp and at the same time reaches into the water of the grounded aquarium, the current will most likely run from the casing through the arm into the upper torso (where the heart is) into the other arm and finally into the water, where the grounding probe will guide it toward the circuit ground.
This would, in all likelyhood be a fatal shock. Never ground the aquarium without a gfci-this is even more dangerous than no circuit breaker at all."

 

[sarwiz100]

100% Agree

 

[bronco300]

how exactly does one go about installing a gfci? is it something you plug into the outlet, or into your circuit breaker? and you can find these at hardware stores, menards lowess, etc?
thanks
Luke

 

[ctgretzky9]

It literally takes 5 minutes to change it out.
Go to any hardware store, tell them you want a gfci outlet.
Turn off the breaker for the outlet you want to change out.
Remove coverplate, remove existing outlet.
Install GFCI outlet according to instructions.
It really is just replacing what you have with this unit, which basically has it's own "breaker" buit in, whereas it measures the amount of electric going out vs. the amount coming back in. The slightest drop in current "breaks" the circuit.
If you have an older home, you may want an electrician to check the lines to be sure it is a grounded outlet. Or if you are uncomfortable with an istall, most electricians will chareg an hour of labor to do it, but it is well worth it for the life of your aquarium and more importantly yours.
Salt water is one of the best conductors of electric there is

 

[moneyman]

You can have a GFCI breaker. But, everyone is using the outlet version. It replaces your current outlet.
Goto HW store and buy a GFCI. Take out the old outlet. Put in the GFCI.
Your GFCI has the LINE and LOAD side. VERY IMPORTANT: Connect the main line to the LINE side and NOT the LOAD side.

 

[mr.125]

Ground Fault Circut Interrupter~!!!!
I love that Acronym...i guess its the electricain in me...lol

 

[dburr]

Another tip, if you install the GFCI on the first outlet of the run, they will ALL be protected on the run. Good for those who have a tank in front of the outlet and can't get to it without breaking the tank down.

 

[bronco300]

how do you know how many amps outlets you need? is it possible to hook up an entire tank to the outlet type...or i plug surge timers into it..i have 3 smaller ph, heater, and 2 lighting fixtures(one PC130 and a smaller 20w floure....so i have like 7-8 plugs to connect...so basically, how do you figure out what you need?sorry for the dumb questions

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by Bronco300
how do you know how many amps outlets you need? is it possible to hook up an entire tank to the outlet type...or i plug surge timers into it..i have 3 smaller ph, heater, and 2 lighting fixtures(one PC130 and a smaller 20w floure....so i have like 7-8 plugs to connect...so basically, how do you figure out what you need?sorry for the dumb questions

An electrician may be able to give a better answer, but I think GFCI outlets have no problem with nomal amounts of amps. Same as an existing outlet...the "fuse box" is what determines how many amps can run through a series, not the outlet. I have all of my aquarium run through 2 sugre protectors-including 2 powerheads, hob filter, canister filter, 250 MH, heater,skimmer and no problems.
All a gfci does is measure the amount of electric going out vs. coming back and cuts out if a swing occurs.