Help required, Electrical.

Hi

Just had a belt off my Marine Aquarium, a really sharp tingle when I stuck my hand in the water.

Now, the fish are still swimming around, so they are OK, my corals aren't, they are looking very sad.

None of the Circuit Breakers have gone off.

The tank is acrylic, touch the outside of the tank and no shock. put your fingers in and a very sharp shock.

The tank is supplied from a double 13amp socket.

There are three trailing leads, all individually switched.

There are two LEDs on a timer,60 watt each. two further lights on 24 hours in the sump, both 20 watt.

I have three pumps in the main tank, on 24/7.

I have two pumps in the sump, both on 24/7.

One is a DC Pump, quite powerful, running at 4600 litres per hour, the other is a 50 watt skimmer pump.

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

Getting hold of an Electrician here is not on.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Swimmy.....unless the person offering advice is qualified to I would ignore everything. It's not worth the risk.

The above and leave well alone us all I'll say except don't ignore me.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Sounds to me like a build of of static electricity on your clothes of shoes being discharged into the water through your fingertips.
If the charge were in the tank then your fish would be floating on the top of the water.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

You could try switching off each electrical item one at a time to identify what is causing the problem.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Unplug each of your plugs in turn (with dry hands!) then dunk a finger or two till you find the suspect pump or light. Keep your other hand in your pocket.

As suggested by LD before me.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

If there were a discharge of electrical current in the tank water from a 220/240 volt supply you would not just get a 'belt' you would probably be dead by now !

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Fish don't get shocks do they?
They're not grounded.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Until they swim up against the thermometer or heater or oxygenator unit, which are.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Yeh yeh.
Now I get you.

Strange thing water. and electricity...the effect it has on a boats hull/props/a nodes etc.

Re: Help required, Electrical.

Hi

Yes, fish do get shocks, we rely on that for Electrofishing.