Malum Argenteum
Active Member
I'll bite -- what's stupid about a titanium ground probe in particular?
Need electrician advise - help me not get electrocuted!!
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Steve Zee
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Because titanium is not that conductive. Maybe a 20th as conductive as copper or other non corrosive metals that are a whole lot cheaper.
Malum Argenteum
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Well, copper's not an option. What metal would be better?
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Titanium and most steel alloys have roughly the same electrical conductivity. It doesn't really matter. I suppose titanium is chosen because it is less reactive to both the salt and is not reactive (in most cases) galvanically.
I am not a fan of ground probes for various reasons but the conversation is beyond the scope of this conversation. In context here they enhance the function of the GFCI and from a personal safety standpoint make sense.
Paul B
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Gold. But in lieu of that I use stainless steel or silver. For 40 years I used a stainless steel knife bent over the rim of the tank. My tank is 54 years old and some of the fish are almost 35 so if stainless steel is poisonous my tank may crash today or tomorrow,
I probably have a quarter pound of stainless steel and iron in my tank. OMG I am living on the edge.
(BTW, titanium is fine, More than fine. We are not wiring Space Shuttles)
You have voltage leaking out into the tank from a device. It could be a pump or even a broken heater.
The idea is to set up your volt meter and then plug the devices back in, one at a time, until the voltage jumps. When this happens, you've identified the source of the voltage leak.
Northern Flicker
Valuable Member
I had a decoy wedding ring that was just SS, was wearing it while my ring got resized.Gold. But in lieu of that I use stainless steel or silver. For 40 years I used a stainless steel knife bent over the rim of the tank. My tank is 54 years old and some of the fish are almost 35 so if stainless steel is poisonous my tank may crash today or tomorrow,
I probably have a quarter pound of stainless steel and iron in my tank. OMG I am living on the edge.
(BTW, titanium is fine, More than fine. We are not wiring Space Shuttles)
Well, one day after working on the tank I realized it was just gone. So I am also on board with you here Paul lol team "hope SS isn't toxic". I never did find it.
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Hi - Covered above a few times briefly.
The meter will not determine if there is a "voltage leak" or not. A DVM alone is not reliable used like this due to induced voltage. The only real clue is if the voltage reading is at or near line voltage (somewhere above 96v), that is because induced voltages (given the environment and equipment in question) are not likely going to reach that level.
A DVM (or analog for that matter) is the wrong tool for most of you to be using.
Use a GFCI to "test" is going to be far more reliable for most aquarists and DIYers.
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Malum Argenteum
Active Member
Yep, that's why I was trying to figure out if there was any merit to the anti-titanium comment above.
karimstolen
New Member
That tingle you felt is definitely a sign that something’s not right. Stray current can be tricky to deal with, and without proper grounding or a GFCI, it’s risky every time you touch the water.
karimstolen
New Member
Adding a grounding plug could help, but honestly, getting a professional to check it out is the safest move. If you’re in Ottawa, kanatautilitiesltd.ca might be a good option. They can make sure everything’s safe and up to code.
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