Ground Probe

[Beeba]

I need to buy a ground prove for my aquarium and I am unsure if there is something special I should look for. Any brand better than the other? My LFS sells one for $24.99 but I see them on Ebay for $9.99.

 

[wrightme43]

Just out of curiousity, why do you need a ground probe? Also are you aware of the possible dangers?

 

[Jiddy]

Do you have an electric eel?

 

[Beeba]

I was told by someone that I should have one because there is a small electric current in all tanks. This person made me think it was necessary. Is this just a OLD FISH STORY?

What are the dangers?

 

[wrightme43]

Well, to start with your tank is not grounded now. If it has electrical currents in it and you ground it, they will of course flow to ground. If you drop something in it and its on and you reach in to grab it, instead of just zapping your self some, you can become part of a pathway directly to ground. That can kill you. I am not a believer in the whole gound probe idea. Its like this if you are standing on concrete barefoot in a puddle of saltwater vs, standing on a wood floor with shoes in a puddle of saltwater which one do you think is more dangerous? In my opinion I want my electrical equiptment grounded not the tank. I am always open to new ideas. If someone can show me why a ground probe would make me safer than I am know I would install one. My knowledge so far, says its not. Steve

 

[snobanker]

Steve in a word or two...you're right. Ground the equipment and use a GFCI.

 

[Jiddy]

What always scares me is the lights hangin over the tank

 

[wrightme43]

My cat was kind enough to install my lights in my old 29 gallon reef tank for me. Turned everything white, didnt kill anything just messed them up a little. Ruined the light, and popped the brkr. Light was dried and cleaned and reasembled then caught on fire while testing. Disposed of light, and sad to say, I kicked the cat. Hard. It was wrong, but I did it. Had I had a ground probe I think it would of killed everything, and the cat. Steve

 

[Zephrant]

Had I had a ground probe I think it would of killed everything, and the cat. Steve

Maybe- You are talking about a direct short from hot to ground, though the salt water. There is a good chance that the breaker would have popped. If you had a GFCI, it would have thrown too.

Adding a ground probe means that when the tank gets energized (broken heater, lights, etc) the electricity has a path to ground that is NOT your arm/body.

Not running a ground probe means that you risk having the tank energized then walking up and creating the ground path by putting your hand in the water. Yes, even with rubber shoes on a wood floor you can end up grounded. Ever touch your lights when you reached in to the tank? One hand on ground (lights) one hand in the water. Current runs hand to hand, right though your heart. Far more lethal than a hand/body/foot path (longer, not right though the heart).

I prefer to have had the breaker or GFCI thrown way before the point where I get electrocuted, even if it means loosing the entire tank because it popped when I was away.

If you drop something in it and its on and you reach in to grab it, instead of just zapping your self some, you can become part of a pathway directly to ground. That can kill you

That is true But that is exactly what the ground probe/GFCI setup is supposed to prevent. When you drop it in and BEFORE YOU CAN REACH IN TO THE TANK the current goes though the ground probe, the GFCI senses this, and cuts power in less than 10ms. That saves you, your fish, and your cat.

So never use a ground probe without a GFCI. It is the pair of them that protects you.

Zeph