Electrocution

[chriscoli]

wow, so sorry! I also have all of my tanks on gfci, but sometimes it's not enough to trip it, I guess.

I recall working in one of my tanks for a while....rearranging the driftwood and being picky about placement so I had my arm in and out of the tank for a good 10 or 15 minutes, I'd guess. I kept bumping my arm into the shoplight hanging over the tank and every now and then would get a very very small zing. I thought it was just the corner of the metal poking me in the arm....then it got strong enough one time for me to notice that it was more than just a pinch from the metal. I freaked out and blamed the light, but after thinking about it, realized that since it didn't zap me every time, It must be the heater switching on and off. I pulled the heater from behind the mattenfilter and yep....cracked. The fish didn't seem any worse for it.

 

[FishEggs]

The Fish don't mind because they're not grounded. Just like birds sitting on power lines. Power strip surge protectors don't protect against ground faults just power surges.
I had the same thing happen to me as Christine. Had my arm in the tank cleaning it and my elbow hit the metal housing of my light and i got buzzed.

FYI. If it's a Marineland Stealth heater, they have been recalled and if you contact them, they will probably replace it with a new heater.

 

[Tony]

http://www.capitalcichlids.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7911&highlight=stealth

 

[Localzoo]

Wow! that's nuts Tony. Thanks for the info guys


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[toddnbecka]

I have several old stealth heaters that developed electrical "leaks", really should box them up and send back for refunds. I'd notice when I reached into a tank and a hangnail would suddenly be mildly painful, but no other part of my hand reacted.
I even still have a stealth pro, the ones famous for exploding, new in the box. I'm thinking it might be a collector's item one day, lol.

 

[Sonny Disposition]

This is just one of the reasons why I try not to use heaters. Anyway, since you were able to say: "What was that?" You're ok. And it didn't bother the fish because they figured it out before you did. Glad you weren't hurt.

 

[Localzoo]

I have several old stealth heaters that developed electrical "leaks", really should box them up and send back for refunds. I'd notice when I reached into a tank and a hangnail would suddenly be mildly painful, but no other part of my hand reacted.
I even still have a stealth pro, the ones famous for exploding, new in the box. I'm thinking it might be a collector's item one day, lol.

Lol almost like having a mint cond Pinto.


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