|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 15, 2014 21:14:38 GMT -5
It started out with having some issues with my salinity probe, and since the probe measures conductivity it makes sense that stray voltage may be to blame. So I decided to check my sump for stray voltage, and sure enough it shows about 9v(after removing the grounding probe). So I now have to find out what's causing it, so I started unplugging and testing to see what the culprit was. I only have 5 things electrical in my tank, so there isn't a lot of sources......2 heaters, skimmer pump, reactor pump, and jebao pumps. I decided to pull the main plug on my Reef Angel and start off with absolutely nothing running in the tank, and nothing plugged in........and to my surprise there was 2.9v. I really have no idea how there could be voltage in the tank with nothing plugged in at all. After that, I started plugging things back in and watching the meter.....heaters added nothing, skimmer pump added nothing, reactor pump added a couple volts, PH probe added almost 1 volt, Jebao pumps added nothing.
I'm really stumped as to what's going on. I know my reactor pump is old and could probably be replaced, the skimmer pump is brand new, heaters are brand new, and Jebao pumps are brand new. And I'm really stumped as to how there could any voltage at all in the system with nothing plugged in at all.
Any thoughts?
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 15, 2014 21:27:59 GMT -5
I've had similar things happen in my own tanks as well. The only things I've ever been able to come up with is if something is still feeding voltage I to the water somehow via surface conductivity or if the magnets in the submersed pumps are capable of building a static charge underwater? No idea if that's even possible or not though, just an idea I had.
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 15, 2014 21:44:51 GMT -5
www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2182599Good explanation in that thread, I think I'm all set at 9-10 volts........and I think I'm going to remove the grounding probe. My salinity probe issues started about the same time I install the grounding probe now that I think about it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 15, 2014 22:28:32 GMT -5
Good vid and the posts after the vid are pretty informative. Ive been thinking of a poll on ground probs for a wile now. That thread just reminded my to get it going.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Aug 16, 2014 3:28:26 GMT -5
Idk but I had this same problem and it ended up being my float switch. I had a cheap one with the yellow wires and I replaced out with the same kind and not even a month later that one was doing it. I bought a good float switch and never since.
I don't have a salinity probe but at the time I had a ph probe and it would go crazy. There's a video on how to test your water for stray electricity sop you can use the process of elimination.
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 16, 2014 7:25:19 GMT -5
My float switch does add voltage to the water too, it's the same ones with yellow wires. And it's mounted right between my salinity probe and PH probe. I think I'm going to be replacing that float switch soon with a better system from Reef Angel.
|
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Aug 16, 2014 7:33:59 GMT -5
I dont agree with ground probes... without one there is stray voltage with one it is a completed circuit..
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Aug 16, 2014 8:09:14 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 16, 2014 8:23:18 GMT -5
Water Level Expansion
The Reef Angel Water Expansion Module will let you monitor your sump or display tank water level and give you a precise indication that you can use to turn on/off your equipment.
Example of things you could do:
Implement an ATO. No more mechanical float switches that can be easily tampered by a simple snail
Shut off return pumps to avoid overflow
Shut off ATO pumps to avoid them running dry
Implement an Automatic Water Change
Alert you of any abnormality that can be found by monitoring the level of water
Features:
Pressure sensitive sensor (No mechanical sensors or moving parts)
Up to 15" of range
Uses any standard 1/2" PVC pipe to measure the water level
That's the details of the expansion module from Reef Angel, it uses water pressure to monitor the level. Much more accurate and no electricity in the water from it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Aug 16, 2014 9:02:25 GMT -5
If only I still had a controller! Lol not really I don't miss it.
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 16, 2014 13:27:20 GMT -5
Honestly I'm on the fence about keeping mine or not, it's more of a convenience than anything. It's nice that it monitors PH and Salinity, and it's nice to be able to hit one button on my phone and everything turns off that I need to do my water change. But in reality, I was fine before it and I'd be fine without it again.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Aug 16, 2014 16:44:02 GMT -5
That's how I feel...plus just because I could see my ph on the display I wasn't testing as much. I'm always home so I don't need it.
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Aug 26, 2014 17:00:43 GMT -5
Since I removed my grounding probe, my salinity module is working perfect again.
Guess it's true that completing the circuit with a grounding probe causes more harm then good.
Add that little thing to my box of goodies never to see use again.
|
|
