"Ouch, I got an electric shock from the aquarium water!" It's happened to all of us, but what actually causes it? And how do we fix an electric shock in an aquarium?
Current is generated by an electrical device such as a heater, filter, or lamp. The device forms a complete circuit with the water, and you, as a "conductor," touch the water.
Why does aquarium water give electric shocks?
Aquarium water that emits electric shocks when touched is usually caused by a current leak in the aquarium equipment. Because of the current leak, the electricity uses the water as a conductor to create a complete circuit.
As soon as you touch the water and stand on the ground, the current flows from the water through you and into the ground. And then you feel the shocks. Usually, it's old equipment that needs replacing, such as a heater that's shaking or a filter pump.
It's also possible that the cable of a filter pump or heater has dried out so much that it's cracked. The wiring is now literally partially exposed in the water. Do not seal or glue this under any circumstances, but replace it immediately with a new heating element or filter pump.
Is a shocking aquarium harmful to fish?
Most aquariums contain low-wattage equipment, such as a 100-watt heater or a 50-watt filter pump. This is so low that most fish barely notice it. However, if you have high-wattage equipment, it will have a greater impact on the fish. In some cases, the fish won't survive the current. In such cases, don't touch the water yourself; replace any damaged equipment immediately.
Equipment that produces static shocks?
Aquarium water that emits electric shocks when touched is usually caused by a current leak in the aquarium equipment. You can test the exact source of the shocks by unplugging the power cords one by one and checking if the aquarium still emits shocks. Start with the heating elements first, as these are the most likely to fail, allowing the current to flow through the aquarium. Then check the pump, and finally the light or other equipment.
Discard the old equipment immediately and don't try to seal it. This could cause it to come loose later, and the aquarium might become unplugged again.
Fuses blown by aquarium?
Sometimes the shock is so severe that the fuses in the fuse box trip immediately. In this case, the circuit is so stressed that the fuses can no longer handle it. When I worked at Intratuin, we had this too, always when water got into the heating elements; it just happened periodically.
Whenever the fuses tripped immediately, I always looked for heating elements that had leaked moisture. I unplugged them and tested the fuse again. Afterward, I always replaced the heating element, and the problem was solved!
