Stray electric current with pump???!!

[Steve]

Just set up a 20g as a holding tank the other day for any fish I end up bringing home from the auction as a Q-tank. (yeah I'm actually thinking ahead of time for once ). Anyway I just went to do a water change on it and when I put my 720gph submersible pump in it friggin shocked the hell out of my hand that was in the water!

Luckily there are no fish in that tank. I've had this pump for over a year and just used it 4 days ago on my 75g cichlid tank with no issues. Why would it all the sudden be giving off a current into the water??

[Regalblue]

Have you inspected it for cracks/breaks?

[Steve]

Nothing that looks abnormal to the naked eye.

[GrizzlysDad]

Is there a heater or any other submersible electric device in that tank?

[Steve]

Heater but it's for sure the pump because with heater on and pump unplugged there's no issue. Soon as I plug the pump in and touch the water.....Stevie gets zapped!  So it's for sure the pump.

Looks like it's time to order a new pump.

[danielratti]

Under the cover where the plug goes down into the pump is prly cracked or separating allowing water inside and that is where the current is coming from. You can actually pop the cover off around it to look.

[mibwb]

I know how that feels.....I've been nearly electrocuted several times. Just two weeks ago....you don't soon forget that...I think the fish were laughing at me. I think I'm going to see if a volt meter that you use to find wires in walls...will work on letting you know if there's stray current in a aquarium.    Maybe throwing a light bulb in might work...one of low watts???

[Steve]

It certainly woke me up Mike that's for sure. There was no need for another cup of coffee after that!