Shocking

[edsimmons]

Ever time I touch my light hood and my tank water I get a shock.What can I do to fix this problem?The hood is a Hamilton w/ 3-250w SE.

TIA
Ed Simmons

[miracles38]

grounding probe?

[edsimmons]

I don't have a GP.

Do you think that's what I need?

This just started recently 2 weeks ago i had no problem.

[Marko9]

I would say it might have to do with the ground wire of the fixture. my undersatnding is that a grounding probe is more for the overall system.

ed, I don't have one as well.

[robertloop]

I dont have one either... But this does raise an issue for some tanks. Basically what you have is stray voltage in your tank and the hood is grounded. When ever you reach in the water and touch the lights, you "get a ground" and the stry volts use you as a conductor. I had this awhie back. I connected a volt meter from my tank water and my hood. I had 100 volts. So I started unplugging one device at a time till the voltage dropped. It was my lame rio 600 that was creating the problem. (Salt water getting past the seals and comming in contact with the magnet coils.)

[JAnwyl]

You need to ground the hood and tank.

The third prong on a power plug does that. Do a search on the internet for a grounding probe or something like that and you can find some better information and a product. If it is shocking you there is a power leak, you should trace all of your power lines and see if there is something that is exposed to water. (Possibly a power head thats no longer completely sealed, or a wire that has a slit.)

Do some searches on grounding and you should get the info that you need.

[JAnwyl]

I didn't see Roberts post, but he's on the money.

[edsimmons]

I think I found the culprit. A Hydor koraila was not turning the impeller and when I unplugged it and tested it no shock.

Thanks
Ed

[kevin95695]

Ed: Stop touching your light hood and tank water at the same time. Just in case.

[edsimmons]

Originally posted by kevin95695
Ed: Stop touching your light hood and tank water at the same time. Just in case.

Easier said that done. When I'm messing w/ stuff my arm will brush against the hood and zap. But it's cool now i fixed the problem.

Thanks
Ed

[matttaylor]

It was probably just your electric personality Ed, oh wait nevermind you're actually really boring!

[funman1]

Just got your VM Ed, sorry I took so long..
Glad you found out what it was...

[rafael13]

Originally posted by matttaylor
It was probably just your electric personality Ed, oh wait nevermind you're actually really boring!

[WarrenG]

You do have a GFCI on your outlets, yes?

[funman1]

uhh nope, or he would not have gotten shocked
heheh