So, my tank just shocked me. Help!

[JpNuss]

Hmm.. So, I just dipped my hand into my tank, and I got a tiny shock on the surface of the water. Any body have any idea what's going on? Are any members of livestock in trouble? I do not like this, Sam I Am.

[CHUBAKAH]

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GroundingProbes.html

[Coral Hind]

Do you have stuff plugged into a GFCI? Was it a shock or just a little static discharge? What type of lights are you running? T5 lights can cause a nice static shock if your hand is in the tank and you touch the fixture or reflector. Unplug and check your heater.

[Coral Hind]

If you want to troubleshoot and you don't have a meter or gfci for the tank, I would run an extension cord from a gfci in the bathroom or kitchen to power the tank. Then plug in one item at a time to find out what gives you the shock. Powerheads and heaters are normally what fail and shock hobbiest the most.

[thewire]

Disconnect everything and connect each piece of equipment one at a time and use a meter (can be purchase from any hardware store or Harbor Freight cheaply) to measure for any stray current

[jason the filter freak]

Use a multimeter or your hand to check your tank for stray voltage (legal disclaimer: I am not responsible for death, dismemberment, spontaneous combustion, or any other resulting injuries you may get while following my advice) and then go though and un-plug and re-plug each item when the current drops or you stop getting shocked you've found your source

[Coral Hind]

Disconnect everything and connect each piece of equipment one at a time and use a meter (can be purchase from any hardware store or Harbor Freight cheaply) to measure for any stray current

 

When using a meter you will almost always get some stray current so don't panic if the meter shows 10 volts or something close to that.

[thewire]

Check your heater first...they tend to break easily!!!...my stealth broke on me!

[Coral Hind]

Use a multimeter or your hand to check your tank for stray voltage (legal disclaimer: I am not responsible for death, dismemberment, spontaneous combustion, or any other resulting injuries you may get while following my advice) and then go though and un-plug and re-plug each item when the current drops or you stop getting shocked you've found your source

 

As I stated earlier, do it with the power plugged into a gfci outlet.

[JpNuss]

All of this is great advice. I would like to cure the problem, not medicate it. Will try these things in the morning. Again, thanks for the help!