corals like electricity !

[Oscapus]

Throw out those grounding probes, a new study shows that corals like low voltages! They are using electric cables running out to metal grids placed in the ocean to help restore damaged coral reefs in Indonesia. Limestone (calcium and magnesium I assume) first forms on the metal, and later corals flourish there. It makes sense that limestone forms, probably on the negative pole (Ca++ and Mg+), but I guess the corals like to be tickled a little bit? I can hardly wait to build my new tank. Good thing everything is underwater or else it would probably catch fire!

The study is available at:

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-08-20/s_26634.asp (and probably elsewhere)

 

[aquariumdebacle]

wait a minute didn't we decide that the grounding probe actually induces a current rather than eliminating it? Quick everybody put your grounding probes back IN! the hobby has switch positions once again

 

[Oscapus]

I am convinced you are doomed either way. I recently started losing camel shrimp in a 6 gallon Eclipse jail I keep in the kitchen for bully fish. I couldn't figure out why I was losing a shrimp every 2 days. Scrubbing and siphoning, I happened to touch my metal sink and suddenly my the scratch on my finger underwater started to sting. Salt I figured, but then leaning way over to reach a corner I really got hold of my sink and felt a current. So, I put in a spare grounding probe and the circuit breaker immediately tripped (twice). The Eclipse pump was shorting out. You can't win, voltage (a potential) kills shrimp, and a grounding probe causes a current which no way can be good, even if your circuit breaker is forgiving.