Shocks! (PG 4 What was really happening!)

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by kcbrad, Feb 21, 2012.

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  1. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    No way... but that is kinda hysterical ....in a mans sort of way...LOL ;D
    but ya gotta plug it in to fix it...take care...btw when its plugged in are ballast hot? or cold?
    could be as simple as a bad switch..need tester. : )
     
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  3. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Ok. What the heck. This is getting stranger.

    All of a sudden all lights started working. We used a voltmeter and got nothing coming off of the light fixture. So we put it back on top of the tank and ZAP!! Got my fiance. NOW he's listening!!!!

    So now I'm thinking it is something IN the tank traveling up through the light fixture (it's on metal brackets sitting on the tank top). Sound plausible?

    We've unplugged the heater and are going to use the voltmeter to see if it could be the heater.
     
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  4. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    thats wild...need to know.
    ZAP..lol
     
  5. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    That would be nearly impossible unless the brackets are in contact with the water or another metal device. Given the fact that you just had an issue with lights not working while it was off the tank, it's most likely your fixture.
     
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  6. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Well the brackets do come in contact with the metal frame of the mesh lids I made....could that do it? Though the lids don't really come into contact with much, except the rim of the tank (plastic) and top of heater.

    Tested the heater in a bucket outside of the tank - minimal readings.

    Unplugged protein skimmer in sump, tested, minimal readings. Plugged protein skimmer back in, readings doubled.

    Could it be the protein skimmer?

    We are leaving the skimmer off for a few minutes and then we are going to retest the main tank and see if we get readings.

    I have it on 200v~ for measuring, got readings over 1.0, sometimes up to 3.5
     
  7. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    I have no measurable amount of electricity running through my tank.
    something is whack.:-/
    btw...did you get a ground probe yet?
     
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  9. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Not yet - I want to find what the root of the problem is! But I will be picking one up tomorrow. I've had enough of this ::)
     
  10. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    Agreed.;)
     
  11. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Ok skimmer has been off for a few minutes - tested ZERO readings from the display tank.

    Now we turned the lights back on. We are going to run them for a bit and test the DT water to see if we get readings.

    If it's this skimmer I JUST BOUGHT I'm going to freak. Though would be better than the light fixture.
     
  12. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Skimmer is still unplugged. Fiance just touched all over the light fixture and got no shocks....interesting....we are heading out to get pizza so we'll investigate this more when we get back.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2012