Stray Current in the tank.

[css merrimac]

While placing my right hand in the water of my 90g tank I got a slight shock at my finger tips. Not enough to "shock"  me-but painful enough to say "ouch".!! I thought-what in the world-so I placed my finger tip in again and zap...got it again. I thought-perhaps a sore/paper cut on my finger-I then placed my left hand into the left side of the tank and zap. Okay, it must be the back filter, powerhead or Korlia-or- heater. I noticed the backfilter wasn't running-although plugged in. I unplugged ALL and then placed my finger into the water and again.ZAP.!! Ouch!! I was wondering--how is it I am still getting these small "shocks" with ALL the electrical items-Unplugged.!!    The only thing still plugged in is "The Light". SO, I turned-out the light and placed my hand in the water-No Shock!! Both hands way into the water-no shock. Removed both hands and turned on light-finger into water" Zap"...turned light off--hand into water again--No Shock. The light somehow is sending into the H2O unpleasant current and I am "the recipient" of this Unwelcome Juice!!    After reading info. on the internet on stray current....the light fixture can also "send" the stray current into the water--the fish may be able to handle weak--but a person will get a bad shock-enough to cause.... I usually have just my back-Filter and Korlia on--the last 4 weeks I have had the powerhead on and with air spraying into the water as well. I believe-the light has "received" moisture from the Spray and electricity will Find a way into the water. I am placing the light on the deck to Dry-Out throughly and hopefully will not zap me again when I set it on the tank again. No Powerhead this time. Never had this problem until the powerhead spray. If it still does-after-drying out-I shall surely discard the light. It is a double-Light Unit. On the "net" I read it occurs in a majority of salt-water tanks and there are Pros and Cons on a ground pole for stray current. The articles I read suggest buying a multimeter to check the elec. current in the water.. Tooooo much-as everyone knows-can bring... ... for a person. Thank GOD it wasn't that strong. Any info. anyone wishes to provide-other than "keep your hands out of the water" appreciated. Thanks.  I do have GFCI plugs and it trips if there is an electrical problem etc. The articles I read-state the GFCI does not stop the stray current.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

although it stinks that you're getting shocked, i think your fish should be fine because they arent grounding anything. im no electrician so if im wrong on this someone please correct. i never knew about stray current either. good to know

[css merrimac]

although it stinks that you're getting shocked, i think your fish should be fine because they arent grounding anything. im no electrician so if im wrong on this someone please correct. i never knew about stray current either. good to know

** I have known of the risks related with back-fiters-powerheads etc. for a long time. Only once before did I get a slight shock directly from the a cheap back-filter. The shock came when I placed my hand into the back-filter-not-from the tank. Junked that unit. The light seems to have dried-out and when I turned the light on a few minutes ago--I didn't get any shock at all when I placed my fingers in the water. Only heater-light-Korlia are on. Check the internet for stray current in aquarium water--you may be surprised. It can be deadly.  **

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.html

[css merrimac]

Well... the light dried-out and... since I only had my Korlia and Light on today--it appears the Light has received moisture again-no doubt from the Korlia-(no direct contact)-and once again I have received un-welcomed "shocks."  It may not have brought about my demise.. ..Thank God.. ..but my hands are actually a little sore...lol... ... the light fixture will be on the deck all night to dry--I might replace the Old Bulbs as well. Hopefully it will operate well and no more of that stuff. If it continues....junk pile. 

[Marty]

I think I would probably just pitch it if you don't have an electrician friend that can take a look at it.

[css merrimac]

I think I would probably just pitch it if you don't have an electrician friend that can take a look at it.

** Perhaps you are right-better to just junk it. I have had it on that 90g for a Long Time. -(appx. 10+ years)- The shocks-seem to be stronger than before and I do Not want anymore Zaps. It wasn't enough to do more harm-but it was enough to leave a little soreness in my arms and hands. Well, they can't last forever. Better safe than sorry. I have noticed my Calvus are not looking well...current cause...??  Thanks for your suggestion Marty.  **

[LoveTheFishies]

Is there anyway to MacGuyver the light so it hangs off the frame rather than directly sitting on it?  Or put glass cover on the tank, so no stay water gets to the light.

Just thinking.

[danielratti]

What kind of light is it? Dont feel like re reading everything to see if it was in there.

[css merrimac]

Is there anyway to MacGuyver the light so it hangs off the frame rather than directly sitting on it?  Or put glass cover on the tank, so no stay water gets to the light.

Just thinking.

** No, there is no-way that I know of to hang the light-unless you have advice etc.  I don't have a Full 90g Lid for the tank. It has a lid on it that fits a 40g Long tank. I place the light fixture on the glass on the cover and a small part extends past the lid.  It has been this way for a Long Time--just yesterday did I start getting that slight-but-ouch shock-  - when my fingers touch the water. I was thinking of buying some glass from the hardware store and covering up as much as possible-and-allowing room for the back-filter, powerhead and so forth. It should keep water away from the light-OR-so I hope.  I am going to take the plug wire and hang it up and away from the tank. Hopefully. the glass and cord up and away will prevent any further zaps. If that does Not work--then it's gone. Electricity will "find a way"...I will try to prevent it--not going to take any more chances--if all does not work--Junk!! **

[css merrimac]

What kind of light is it? Dont feel like re reading everything to see if it was in there.

*** It is a Double Bulb Unit which has 2=48 inch T-12 Fluorescent Bulbs. It has been working Fine for a Long Time and just started that zap when I touch the water. ***

[Super Turtleman]

Sounds to me like you're risking too much to save that one light. I would just pitch it and move on.

[css merrimac]

Sounds to me like you're risking too much to save that one light. I would just pitch it and move on.

*** I was just thinking about that a few minutes ago before I came on to this site!! Interesting, I was considering the risk of getting a "Jolt" stronger than before and thought it is "Not" worth it. I was thinking about how scared I am going to be to stick my finger into the water again and getting a bad jolt. My life is more valuable than saving a light that appears to have become worn-out and now a Risk. I shall junk it today. Thanks for replying Mr. Turtleman...you and Marty are on the same thought level about pitching it.  (Proverbs 12:15)  ***

[css merrimac]

It's interesting that the 55g tank light--if it receives moisture--when I turn it on--the GFCI immediately "trips" and shuts off all electrical devices on it as well. If any device is defective etc....it Trips off Promptly. The 90g also has a GFCI that shuts things off...apparently...the light was not "creating a disturbance" for the GFCI to detect. The articles I read-state the GFCI will not detect stray current in the H2O. Looks like another light on the chopping block!! 

Better Safe Than Sorry. 

New lights can be costly--will have to locate good used ones. 

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

FWIW - I highly recommend covering entire the top of the tank with something (glass or Plexiglas), ACE hardware sells glass really cheap. Anything to protect the light from getting wet will do.  Or you can find someone on the MCA who is selling glass tops...



 

[css merrimac]

FWIW - I highly recommend covering entire the top of the tank with something (glass or Plexiglas), ACE hardware sells glass really cheap. Anything to protect the light from getting wet will do.  Or you can find someone on the MCA who is selling glass tops...

** The regular window glass is cheaper-but-can shatter easily with glass shards-not the best. Thicker glass is more costly...but stronger...which I am sure you already are well aware of it. Plexiglass would be the better choice for me overall...could be cut to fit the entire area except for the back for filters etc. I will check Ace Hardware prices. **