stray voltage

[broomer5]

I am new to this board, so please forgive me if this topic has already been covered here. I was online last week ordering some items for my tank, and saw an electrical grounding probe for aquariums. They mentioned that due to the various electrical equipment used on aquatic systems, pumps, powerheads, filters, skimmers, lights, etc., that it is possible to induce stray voltage into the highly conductive salt water. Well being the curious type I ordered one. Today I took my fluke meter and measured the voltage potential between the tank water and a good direct earth ground. I was shocked ( no pun intended ). The meter read 45.6 volts ac. After installing the grounding probe, the measurement dropped to .004 volts ac. Did I measure it correctly ? If that was the case, would that level of stray voltage have an adverse affect on the fish / inverts in the tank ? I was quite amazed actually. Was this a worthwhile purchase or did I just waste $10 bucks ?

 

[broomer5]

First I used the cold water main pipe coming into the house as a ground. Then I tested the ground at the wall plate. The ground probe has a 3 prong plug, with the ground only connected to the wall socket. Hot & neutral are just plastic spades to hold the 3 prong plug in the wall socket. After posting my original message I found some interesting internet sites that discussed this grounding issue. I don't believe I have a problem with equipment, wires cracked or anything like that. This is all brand new 4 week old tank/equipment. I read where this voltage is "induced" into the tank from electrical devices, primarily the flourescent bulbs. Any thoughts as to grounding ?
Thanks

 

[dennish]

I just did a Google search for "Fish stray voltage" and the first hit was a very good article on the subject.
http://www.aquarium.net/996/996_5.shtml
After reading this I am taking my meter home to test my tank! If anyone else grounds their tank, please post back here to report any noticable results (i.e. fish behavior changes).
-Dennis

 

[kris]

Good Topic--but you lost me, totally. I'm a fish person, not an electrician. Let's say I had a meter, (which I don't, but let's just say that I do) is the reading supposed to be zero? I would think that the outlet didn't work then. If 45.whatever you said is too high what is normal? Well, at any rate it is always a good idea to check equipment regularly, like at every water change.

 

[porkypuffer]

I CHECKED THE VOLTAGE IN MY TANK AND READ 22 VAC. INSTALLED A GROUND AND THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS MY FOXFACE WASN'T NEARLY AS SKIDICH. THANKS FOR THE TIP.