Stray Electricity

[captainandy]

For the most part, putting your hand in an aquarium, with bare feet, may elicit a very tiny electrical shock.

However, wanted to bring up a recent incident.
My recent discus purchases were in forth week of quarantine, doing very well, when suddenly the fish grew somewhat listless, and some fin damage and clamping, even dulling eyes.

Parameters seemed normal, I do every other day water changes - nearly 80%.
They are adult wilds and I though something bad was happening.
I put my hand in the tank and got a huge shock -

Turns out the inside glass sleeve was broken the the UV lamp was damaged.

Shock gone
24 hours later after raising temps to 88 - fish all getting better,

[solasis]

Gosh, that is scary. I had a small cut on my finger a few weeks ago and stuck my hand into the tank and felt a consistent shocking sensation. I ordered a cheap multi-meter off amazon and the amount of stray electricity was extremely low, so luckily just some sensitivity on the cut was causing the issue. Would recommend buying a multi-meter just for peace of mind.

[Iminit]

They sell a grounding line for tanks. You plug it into the ground of a receptical and send it to the bottom of the tank. All stray electric goes to the ground.

[captainandy]

They sell a grounding line for tanks. You plug it into the ground of a receptical and send it to the bottom of the tank. All stray electric goes to the ground.

It’s been my experience that the grounding lines for aquarium use do not work.
Tried 3 different times over the years and never helped

My recent experience with the UV light was a huge shock.
Judy something to think about before you start adding meds to the tank

[Iminit]

If it didn’t work it’s probably because the receptical isn’t grounded.

[dspeers]

Bit of a revival since the issue of grounding came up in another thread I did not want to co-opt. Not sure what period of time defines a zombie thread.
How many folks are using a grounding lines? Whether you are or not are you using a GFI circuit, assume everyone is.
Have you added an AFCI?
Any other thoughts. I had planned on a GFCI recepticle or breaker but am reconsidering adding a combo to the breaker box.
Thanks for any input

[Vanman]

If you add one to the breaker box be sure to get a spare as they are well known for being problematic, and expensive.

[dspeers]

Did not realize that, all brands?

[pitdogg2]

The last thing I want in the middle of the night in the winter is for my arc fault to shut everything down while i'm asleep and the temps drop and the O2 drops and the bacteria beds suffer. The nice thing with some discus tanks is the softer the water the less it conducts electricity to an extent. I'm in favor of the titanium grounding rods that go the ground. Stray eletricity is going to happen the longer you keep fish you'll find it or it will find you.
AFCI/GFI are useful but not in my fish room.

[dspeers]

That makes it all clear as mud. Did not realize the degree of unreliability inherent in the current technology. Do you have GFIs for your aquarium circuits?

[Vanman]

I am building stands today to get back into discus after a near 30 year hiatus. I have not decided yet if I will use a GFI breaker but am leaning towards using one. I will keep a spare regular breaker to replace it with as a back up.