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Hi All,
This is a lil strange and I am a little baffled.
I was adding some water to my 55 gallon aquarium abit ago and I stuck my finger in the water and felt an electrical current.
I was like what the heck?
So, I am thinking maybe my submersible heater is bad so I unplugged it and took it out and still the electrical current.
There is NOTHING else in the water that is electrical so where is the current coming from?
The fish all seem fine as well. No discomfort and they are all acting normal.
Another odd thing is that my thermometer is reading the water temp about 15 degrees less that what is really is. Actually, both thermometers I have read the same so I know its not the thermometer.
I run two outside penguin bio filters, then there is the hood with lights but that sits above the tank and above glass. Other than those there is nothing.
Any clue?
Thanks
Todd

Do you keep elephant noses or knifefish that produce an electric charge? Keep looking for possible equipment problems that could be causing the problem too.

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Ok, I suffered thru shocking myself by unplugging each thing one at a time and then stick my finger in the water and test it.
So, I found it was the hood light.
So, I have it unplugged.
Do you think the hood and light is bad or the lil transformer is or what?
The hood sits ontop of the tank ontop of glass so its not like its in the water so the current must have been going thru the glass into the water?
Never had anything like this happen.
Should I just buy a new light canopy or ??
Thanks

I would replace all the hood light completely that includes all the connections. The best way would be get a qualified electrician to do the job correctly and safely.

Both my sons electrical contractors there is no way would the let me even think about fixing it.

Remember water and electricity do not mix (as you have found out) and you are only allowed to make one mistake.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Hi,
Do you have the light suspended over the tank where
splash from the water surface can reach the canopy?

In many cases, it is just moisture on the inside of the
assembly allowing a path for the electricity to flow.
The difference in voltage is frequently "just" about
50 VAC or less and not the full 110 from the outlet.
Drying everything will frequently resolve the problem.
However to prevent it from happening again you will need
to put a full plate of glass (preferably) or plastic over
the tank, and then set the light on that. You have to keep
the moisture from the tank out of the light.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank, thanks for the info.
Yes, the light recess area had moisture in it so that is probably the reason for the current. I am letting it dry out good and will try to fix it where the moisture wont get inside. I think I might have a problem though keeping it dry as the light sits on the glass top but towards the back as the front of the glass lifts so I can get in the tank to feed etc. Then I have the two large bio filters that run in the back and the light isnt to far from those.
I will work on it though.
I did find it interesting that the fish didnt seem to be effected but then remember that they are basically grounded and I am not. LOL
Thanks
Todd

Hi,
I might suggest that you measure your tank and go to a
glass shop and have them cut a piece of glass just for
that tank. Carefully measure the dimensions of the
inside of the tank trim. The black plastic trim has a
quarter inch lip that will support a piece of glass quite
nicely. I had a piece of quarter inch glass cut and then
had the edges polished and rounded (no cuts) and use that
as the top for my tank. I had them cut it so that it
reached from the front nearly all the way to the back of
the tank leaving an inch and a half gap along the back
of the tank. That left enough room for the heater and
filter intake & return hoses, and I drop my fish food
and top off water through the gap as well.

Now the entire light assemply fits on the glass
completely protected by glass with absolutely no
moisture or condensation that can reach the light.

When I'm changing water or scraping the glass I set the
hood and the glass off to one side, do my thing, and
then replace them.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--