Grounding Wire - Will This Work

Snafu · 12-05-2006, 04:42 PM

Hi

I'm making A grounding wire for my tank. I've been reading all the post about stray Volts In the tank. So I got my Volt meter out and check it. Well i got 3.5 volts from water to ground. Not real sure why.

Anyways I'm making a ground probe. I'm using a 1/8 round tube about 6", attaching a copper wire to the tube then to a 3 prong plug. putting the grounding probe into my filter. so it dosn't show.

do you think this will work okay?

Tangster · 12-05-2006, 04:53 PM

Voltage that low could be from the saltwater and its reaction to some elements or rocks with in the tank ? But you say 6 inch tube ? a tube of what if its not 316 S.S or better yet Titanium then you can't use it.. easiest way i found is at a Local Hardware or Lowe's get a S.S long bolt and nut and tighten the nut up on the wire to secure it at the head of the bolt then you have to use a 3/M waterproof heat-shrink to seal the wire from the saltwater. If that copper ever becomes exposed to the water you'll have more problems then a voltage one..It has to be a water proof heat shrink most electronic shops that sell T.V ad Satellite equipment sells them..

Snafu · 12-05-2006, 07:18 PM

the tube was copper. so thats a no no okay. 316ss it will be.
Thank you!
We have that at the shop

bouraganes · 12-06-2006, 05:23 AM

Just remember to hook it to the ground of your outlet only the others could have you singing you light up my life- lol

Tangster · 12-06-2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snafu

the tube was copper. so thats a no no okay. 316ss it will be.
Thank you!
We have that at the shop

Yes Copper will wipe the whole tank out if you have any inverts in there now or later (: if you are near a Lowe's or Home depot ? just get a 4 inch or so S.S nut and bolt #8 or #10 even a 1/4 inch matter's not the ( size of the nut and bolt} I did say that didn't I LOL But and make sure its a waterproof heat shrink.. When you heat and shrink it a jelly looking silicone will ooze out the ends. I like the 3/M brands thats what I used when I made under ground wiring repairs Also just use that screw on the plate to connect the wire to But if you use a plug just connect the wire for the probe to the 3rd lug of the plug will be green and or a difference will be obvious not either of the other line or leg spades

Snafu · 12-06-2006, 07:13 PM

Thanks Guys And Gals
Tom

Phil5613 · 12-06-2006, 10:05 PM

you can get that little stray voltage just when the lights are on. DIY ground probe is ok but is it run to a gfi outlet? Also at least twice a year rempve the probe and check voltage I have seen probes mask a bad pump or heater before. check the probe at that time also. Blind faith in a probe is not safe either