Grounding probes?

[pcpope]

Hi everyone, today we bought a grounding probe and test meter. I tested the water first and had a reading of 175m, hooked up the probe and the reading is now around 14m. I can tell (of course) the reading is lower , but how much stray voltage is ok? Is the reading supposed to be 0, or is some stray voltage always going to be present? I have read both pros and cons on this matter, have come to conclusion that it can't hurt to try. I have a yellow tang that is a little shy on swimming out front , and am hoping this will change its behavior. Also have had leathers and shrimp molting a little excessively. Every couple weeks to be exact. :notsure:

 

[teen]

how much did that cost u, and where did u get it, if u dont mind me asking? ive been wondering about this and am not sure where to get one.

 

[57chev]

PCPope, if your ground rod is working correct you should get a zero reading on your meter. Its also possible that your meter is a little off especially if its a cheaper one. You can also make your own grounding rod very cheap if you take a bicycle spoke and fasten it to any copper wire and then ground your copper wire to your plug-in. And put the bike spoke in your sump or tank. The spoke should be titanium and is safer than dropping the copper wire in your tank, though I do and have no problems. Make sure you know what the ground is in your plug-in and not just the neutral. There is a difference, the ground goes to the ground, and the neutral actually goes back to the power pole, it will act like a ground for the most part, but at times it can produce feedback voltage. I'm sure you've read already that tangs in particular are very sensitive to stray voltage. I had tangs for years before I even knew that a ground rod was needed I always new there was stray current but didnt really understand how harmfull it was to my tangs, I had good luck as far as not loosing any fish to death or disease, but over the years they never really grew to any extent. Thanks to this site I'm a tiny bit smarter :happyfish

 

[pcpope]

Bought the rod at LFS, about $25. This morning reading is around 0.06m. Meter initially started at 1.00m, but then it immediately counts down . Must just be a goofy meter, will try better meter tonight.

 

[1bigboy69]

57chev.......on the DYI grounding probe.
Let me know if this is correct: I could get a spoke, (---), hook up one copper wire to it, and then run that wire into the ground on a power strip????????????????????????????

 

[teen]

yea, can u explain how to hook it up again :notsure:

 

[pcpope]

I bought this probe at the lfs, it is already to go, a titanium rod connected to a an electrical cord, I just plug it in to a grounded outlet, only the third prong(ground prong)is actually on the cord.

 

[pcpope]

I personally would be a little nervous to use copper wire, copper not good for fish tank. I don't know if copper would get in tank, but I think at some level it would have to.

 

[57chev]

1BIGBOY69, you can do what you've described, it will work. If you pull a household plug-in apart(shut of the breaker at the panel before you do) you'll notice a little green screw on the back. That is your ground. You can hook up your copper wire there or even the screw in the middle of the outside of the plug-in cover is also the ground. You can also hook it up to any cold water pipe in your house, which is also a ground source. Crimping, clamping, or sodering the copper wire to the spoke will work as you've described.

 

[1bigboy69]

57chev.......
OK here's my plan i will get a piece of titanium, attach a copper wire to it, i will buy a 3 prong plug, male end, that i can take apart and just use the ground and pull the other 2 plugs from it. I will then suction cup the titanium part into the tank and plug the other end into my power strip. But bottom line is i would just have to run the copper wire into the ground on the power strip. Correct?
OR...........what i can do is bring a copper wire off of the cold water line that goes into the fridge?
It's the type that you slip over and tighten to make the hole in the copper pipe, and runs the water line to the fridge.

 

[ctgretzky9]

youre stray voltage with a rod should be zero. I had a 14v stary voltage running through my tank. I bought rod at LFS for like $18. Dont waste time DIY. Copper is not good to use. The one I bought i belive is titanium, and is all ready to go. For $18, i would think there are better things to do than to futz around soldering and everything else.
usually the best way to hook it up, is to remove the plate covering your plugs on the wall. You will see a screw up top and at bottom holding the bare plug unit into the outlet box. Test this to be sure it is the ground, then test your stray voltage after its hooked up.
Should read zero.

 

[tthemadd1]

Just made one myself with stuff laying around the house. Works pretty well, you can go to your local bike shop and mine had a few old wheels laying around. Just be sure it is a titanium spoke. I go to that bike shop alot for my Trek Fuel and they just cut off a piece to give it to me. I know it is cheap to buy one already made but I like the diy projects. I also just wrapped a copper wire to the end of the spoke and then ran it into the wall jack. Tied it around the middle screw that holds on the plate. Dropped my Voltage to 0.0

Good Fishing,
Themadd1