AC/DC

AC/DC

Nothing is more infuriating then having  stray voltage in your fish tank and not knowing where it’s coming from! I sometimes get people asking me what the best method is for determining where its coming from. Normally the culprit is a power head or a heater.

To solve the problem:

1. Go to your local radio shack or big-box hardware store and pick up an inexpensive multi-meter. Before you purchase, be sure that the multi-meter can measure AC and DC Voltage current. Before you leave the store, make sure that you have the batteries that you need.

2. Go home, install the batteries, and read through the manual. Take a look at anything that starts with "warning" or "caution". Install your leads. Red to the red socket, and black to the black or "com" socket. Switch your multi-meter to AC Voltage (usually is says something like ACV or AC or has a sign like ~). Go over to the nearest wall outlet and  test the multi-meter, by plugging one lead into one of the vertical sockets in the outlet, and the other into the other vertical socket in the outlet. Make sure you read around 120 volts. If you read something different than this, the multi-meter is not working, or the test leads are not inserted completely into the sockets you are doing it wrong.

3. This step will be easiest with the help of someone else. Make sure ALL of the equipment in your tank is on. Place one lead in the tank water, and the other in the ground socket of the wall receptacle (please make sure that you are in the ground of the outlet, this is the bottom round opening NOT THE VERTICAL SOCKETS). You may be reading a voltage at that point on your multi-meter. Make sure to check for AC and DC voltage in the beginning, and each time a piece of equipment is unplugged. Have your trusty side-kick unplug or turn off ONE piece of equipment at a time (each time checking AC and DC voltage). If the voltage drops significantly when a piece of equipment is turned off, then that is piece of equipment is part of the problem. Make note of which equipment is adding to the voltage until the voltage on the multi-meter reads zero. Repeat these steps in the sump - you will likely get similar reading. If it is easier, begin this procedure in the sump.

4. Replace equipment that is faulty.

5. Pat yourself on the back for being awesome!

If you are ever in doubt and are unsure of how to proceed you can always contact an electrician to assist you.