Help! Pump Leaking Electricity!

yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Okay, yesterday I lost power for eight hours. I was running the powerheads and heater off a generator, but left the main sump pump off. So, today I took it out, cleaned it, and put it back in. I got it running, and everything was looking fine. But then I went to take the hood off the tank (I was going to take a powerhead out for cleaning), and got a pretty good shock. At first I thought it was a light, and unplugged all of them. Then I went for the hood again, and got shocked again. It wasn't a huge shock, and it didn't last long enough to trip the GFCI (yes, the tank is on a GFCI outlet). I don't have a grounding probe. So, through trial and error I have come to the conclusion that it is my pump. So, I have a couple questions. Is it possible for me to fix the pump, or will I have to just replace the pump?
Right now I just have the tank running on the powerheads and heater. I only have two fish in there, so the bioload isn't high. I think I should be good that way until I can get a new pump.
I think I'll get a grounding probe too. I understand the importance of one now. Does it matter if the grounding probe is plugged into a GFCI outlet?
Also, should I leave the pump off until I can get a new one, or leave it off?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Honestly if your pump is the culprit, it isn't worth trying to fix.....The electrical portion if it's submersible should be sealed in some type of epoxy......Are you totally sure it's the pump?
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
I'm almost positive it is the pump. Its not the heater, powerhead, lights, or skimmer, so I don't know what else it could be. I'll make sure with a volt meter tomorrow.
I'll probably replace it with a mag drive 700 gph.
How common is this?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
So you get shocked when the pump is on but not when the pump is off correct? Replace the pump! How common is it? Probably depends on the type of pump we're talking about here. These things happen...
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Quote:Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/381501/help-pump-leaking-electricity#post_3323881
So you get shocked when the pump is on but not when the pump is off correct? Replace the pump! How common is it? Probably depends on the type of pump we're talking about here. These things happen...
Yup. It was rather startling. I'll replace the pump. I just have to order one. And a grounding probe.
I'm not sure why the pump failed. It was working until the power went out, but the I cleaned it out, and then suddenly the darn thing is shocking me.
I'm glad I don't have more in the tank than I do. I would be at all comfortable having just the powerheads running for so long.
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
do you have a ground at the gfi receptical or have you tested the gfi because it will trip at 4ma faster than you can move your hand and if you can feel it it should have tripped
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Saltynay, I think I just want to buy a new pump.
IBEW41, yes the GFCI is plugged into a grounded outlet (I have the kind that plugs into an outlet, as I didn't want to replace the actual outlet. However, I may end up doing that).
I didn't actually touch the water, just the hood, and I still got a shock. It wasn't a huge shock, but enough that there was no doubt what was happening.
What do you mean by test the GFCI? Anything other than pushing the test button?
Sorry, I'm not at all an electrician.
 
saltynay

saltynay

New Member
I frequently take my electronics to bits and water proof them using silicone sealant and o-rings where I can, don't see how a factory can build any better then a determined individual with the right tools.....
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Tested the voltage of the tank today, with the pump I got a reading of 5, which I am assuming is from the lights.
With the pump on, I was getting 70.
I'm ordering a new pump and grounding probe tomorrow.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Okay, installed the new pump and grounding probe today.
Pump works well, and is pumping more water, even through it is rated the same gph wise.
I even put the heater in the sump, because I trust the MagDrive pump to come back on after a power outage.
Grounding rod is working too, as I got a reading of zero volts.
Thanks for all the help!
 
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