Today, as I was putting in some cucumber slices for my plecos to enjoy, I happened to notice a very small bit of voltage in the water. I was barefoot on a ceramic tile floor on a concrete slab foundation, and was only able to detect the voltage at the cuticle of one fingernail, and then only if I barely touched the water surface at that spot on my cuticle, and not if I dipped the finger even slightly more into the water. I began unplugging things to find where it was coming from, and it happened to be the first thing I tried, which is a Marineland convertible power head I'm using for water circulation. What I'm wondering is (1) if the tiny bit of electricity could possibly just be from an induced field and nothing to worry about, or (2) if the amount of electricity is so small that it will likely not bother the fish, therefore nothing to worry about, or (3) if the charge is static, and since there is no pathway for the electricity to go to ground within the aquarium system (therefore not causing an actual current), is it likely not a problem for the fish? As I said, it is not even noticeable under normal circumstances, but I happened to trim that fingernail very close the other day due to a split in the nail. (lol)
I know that fish are sensitive to electrical fields--some much more than others--but I'm just wondering how much of a problem it might be, and if it is even enough to be considered a problem. or if anyone else has ever experienced this with a Marineland power head. (And before I get admonished for not immediately removing the "offending" power head and tossing it, I am very aware of the risks of electricity in an aquarium, but if we really wanted to be "extra safe", none of us would have a modern aquarium with its associated electrical appliances in the first place, especially those of us with [gasp!] children, and we wouldn't have an electrical cord within ten feet of a water source unless it was plugged into a GFCI protected plug-in.)
Any input, especially experience, on the amount of electricity required to have an effect on fish, and what effect it might have on them is appreciated.
Olskule
I know that fish are sensitive to electrical fields--some much more than others--but I'm just wondering how much of a problem it might be, and if it is even enough to be considered a problem. or if anyone else has ever experienced this with a Marineland power head. (And before I get admonished for not immediately removing the "offending" power head and tossing it, I am very aware of the risks of electricity in an aquarium, but if we really wanted to be "extra safe", none of us would have a modern aquarium with its associated electrical appliances in the first place, especially those of us with [gasp!] children, and we wouldn't have an electrical cord within ten feet of a water source unless it was plugged into a GFCI protected plug-in.)
Any input, especially experience, on the amount of electricity required to have an effect on fish, and what effect it might have on them is appreciated.
Olskule