copper grounding probe

[eyegoggler]

new reefkeeper. I have noticed several people suggesting titanium grounding rods, but was unable to locate one. Therefore, I set up my tank with a copper wire ground - one end in the tank, the other tied to a ground post. Is there any reason I should avoid bare copper? Thanks.

 

[aakks]

Copper is very toxic to invertebrates. I hope you haven't already put this in!

Peter

 

[Marcosreef]

If you just put it in recently, I would'nt worry too much, (take it out) but you want either a titanium or high grade stainless steel rod. It takes water with a low pH to dissolve copper. (BTW, I am NOT a chemist, but I think it makes sense...)

[ April 01, 2002: Message edited by: Marcosreef ]</p>

 

[eyegoggler]

Thanks, I'll take it out.

 

[914]

this has *got* to be april fool's.....


(i hope)

 

[eyegoggler]

Sorry, not an April fools joke (I wish). I did run up to the local pet store and bought a copper test. Luckily in the week and a half that the copper wire was in the water it appears there was no impact (0 reading on the fasTest kit).

Thanks for the helpful comments (and taking it easy on an apparently silly mistake).

I couldn't find anyplace to buy a grounding probe (which is why I just used copper wire in the first place), and I don't know of any place to buy titanium or high grade stainless steel rods. So I went by the local Lowes and picked up a titanium coated drill bit and some stainless steel wire. Unless anyone sees a problem with this strategy, I will probably hook it up and see how it works. Thanks again.

 

[Scottis24]

Lowes should have had something better than a drill bit. What about a pice of SS allthread? that would be better than the drill bit... I hoped you cleaned the bit reallly good as they are coated in oil when shipped......

 

[monkeyboy]

I believe there was a post on the board or maybe just something i read elsewhere about using copper grounding probes. Apparently you can coat them with a semiconductor (like silicon or something) that will protect the copper from coming in contact with the h2o. It's a DIY thing, i'll see if i can dig it up...

 

[jazzyreef]

Just thought I'd add that grounding probes are cheap. TAAM makes a titanium grounding probe for $12.90 at champion.

 

[Lee1]

Try a bicycle shop. I bougt a titanium bicycle spoke for $2 at a bike shop in Lewisville, affixed a wire to it and grounded. Only the titanium touches the water. Easy to make.

Lee

 

[sparks]

I got my probe from Reef Online' www.reefonline.com.au/
I'd be careful about simply coating a copper rod with any form of silicon as most of these products are completely non conductive.

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

If you really can't source a ready-made titanium grounding problem (like me - they're not avaialble in NZ) then a bike spoke is an acceptable substitute.

 

[eyegoggler]

Thanks all, this info has been quite helpful. I think I will try to order a real grounding probe from TAAM and skip the drill bit (the only titanium Lowes had).

Cheers

 

[KanUCme]

why do we need grounding probes? Wouldn't it be too late if we did? I thought that the powerstrips had a built in deal...

 

[Mouse]

Your suggestion is about as appropreate as a bacon sandwich at a bahmitsva.

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: Mouse ]</p>

 

[esmithiii]

KanUCme-

The powerstrips have built in surge protection. They do not generally have ground fault protection. You should have a ground fault protection circuit for all the equipment for your tank. This is for your protection. Saltwater is a pretty good conductor. If something plugged in falls into the tank or if a submerged pump malfunctions then you could get shocked, even killed if you come into contact w/ the water. A ground fault circuit will detect if this happens and open the circuit much like a circuit breaker does.

A grounding probe allows stray voltage (many times very minimal voltage) to go to ground. This is needed for the GFI (Ground Fault Interupter) to work, otherwise you would be the conduit for the current to go to ground if the above situation were to happen!

A grounding probe also is beneficial for your fish's health. Stray voltage can contribute to lateral line erosion and other problems.

 

[hquintanilla]

Hi..
Can someone explain how to ground the aquarium, should I ground the water itself to ground? should I install a copper rode with carbon and all the things that make a proper ground and connect the water itself to this physical ground with a titanium wire?
Regards...

 

[KanUCme]

I understand the Grounding principal, I guess my point was why do you need one in an aquarium? You shouldn't have any "stray voltage"? I could see the stuff falling in the tank senario, but that's about it. If you have stray voltage and there is no place to ground then there techinically wouldn't be any voltage would there? If you create a ground then you would complete the ciruit and then risk being shocked... I don't know, it probally wouldn't hurt but I don't think they are neccesary.

 

[Marcosreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by KanUCme:
<strong>You shouldn't have any "stray voltage"? I could see the stuff falling in the tank senario, but that's about it. If you have stray voltage and there is no place to ground then there techinically wouldn't be any voltage would there? </strong><hr></blockquote>

If you have powerheads or anything electrical in the tank you have stray voltage...period. This voltage is induced, or from induction. This is how the powerheads work, in the water without killing you or the aquarium inhabitants. (Much the same theory on how you can recharge wet/dry shavers and electric toothbrushes without electrical contacts.)

So, this stray voltage just floats around in the tank, waiting to be discharged. True, theoretically this should not harm the occupants, (like a bird perching on a high voltage wire on your neighborhood utility pole). So no ground no problem.

Until, you stick your hand in there, then you become the path "of least resistance" and the tank becomes grounded! (And if you have a BAD heart, so do YOU!) BTW, it only takes a FEW milliamps across your heart to sucessfully terminate you.

Electricity is very dangerous and should be respected, understood and not feared.

Anyway, grounding the tank makes sense, because you never know what "Might Happen". Besides you wouldn't want to go for a dip in your "ungrounded pool" would you?!

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: Marcosreef ]</p>

 

[eyegoggler]

Thanks Marcosreef, very helpful.

Also, if you have floresent lights close to the water (mine are 2-3" from the water surface) they also generate a field which is coupled to the saltwater. Saltwater can hold a charge (like a capacitor, or shuffled feet on carpet). Touching the saltwater can provide a path to ground.

The reason I grounded my tank to begin with was that while standing barefoot (I normally have shoes on)I happened to touch the water and was shocked. Not bad, just slightly stronger than a nine volt battery if you've ever touched one to your tongue.
FWIW.