#1 rule for me.... [Archive] - .::AquariumPros.ca::.

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 01:01 AM

Well I guess like car stereo's you sooner have to learn the hard way and that is to turn everything off when working on your tank/car. I am still new to this fuge/sump thing and gravity and air play a large role in it lol....

For a couple of months I would do things to test what would happen if the electricity where to shut off. Turn everything off and see how the tank acts. What would happen if the pump where to turn back on but the over flow where to not work so on and so forth. Well I have the CPR HOB overflow and it comes with this little pump that pumps air out of it so when the electricity turns back on it will suck the air out and the water will pump through the HOB. Well a couple of weeks ago I decided to turn everything off and back on except for that little pump just to see what would happen.

Well everything worked just fine and the HOB was draining just fine without the pump being turned on. I am thinking good for me right....

Well in my infinate newbie wisdom I went to do me monthly complete cleaning on my nano. I read that little pump need hot water ran through it to prevent salt creep and freezing of the motor.

So everything is running and I disconnect the pump and go to the bathroom to run some hot water trough it. A couple of minutes I hear water falling and I am like WTF?!?!???? Run to my bedroom where the tank is and water is overflowing through the whole tank.

Floor wet and the first thing I think of is turning off the tank. I reach for the switches and ZAPPP!!!! Son of a B!T%#!!! Water is flowing over it and the plugs are getting wet. So what do I do... panic mode ... reach for the SOB again ZAPPPP!!! HOLD ON AND UNPLUG IT......

Lesson learned! That little hole one end of that pump was connected to let air in and stopped the HOB and my pump keeped working. Overflowed the tank and water was splashing over the plugs. I hear that salt water loves electricity but damn. My hand still hurts. I was just worried that there was going to be a fire. Going to have to put the plugs higher and on the other side away from the tank. I can not stress how important to keep your plugs as far away from the tank as you can.

Nothing seems to be wrong with the tank and the fish and corals are fine. Just going to wait until everything is dry before I start plugging things back in....

FishRme

December 30th, 2005, 01:15 AM

If I was you I would get under the crapet and see if its damp because you could get mold.

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 01:22 AM

If I was you I would get under the crapet and see if its damp because you could get mold.

Doing that right now. Running a wet vac and trying to get it all up. I can't seem to find two more surge protectors because I tried these two and there still wet inside a little. Even tried a blow dryer and it doesn't seem to be working. Going to have to buy two more tonight.

Rule #2. Going to have to set up an "emergency kit" in case something goes wrong like this again or some other mishap...

RonPeter

December 30th, 2005, 01:31 AM

vaporize

December 30th, 2005, 01:37 AM

I was just shocked yesterday while installing my DIY moonlight.... then I remember my elementary school teaching... "use rubber gloves" LOL and more importantly... "110V will not kill you in most cases, 220V WILL"

FishRme

December 30th, 2005, 01:56 AM

Porphet when you put back the carpet MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS DRY also if this happen in the upstairs of your house make sure the ceiling is not looking wet or is wet feeling under where the water spilled out over the floor.

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 02:06 AM

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 02:17 AM

ROFL I got shocked once as well when my hands were wet with my tank water and I tried unplugging a cord...holy crap batman but I was vibrating....I couldn't even pull my hand away for what seemed an eternity. LOL

Yeah I have only been shocked one other time and that was when I was changing out a alty for a corrolla. I still had the battery connected and my wrench connected a positive and negative somewhere and all I seen was sparks and it hurt like hell. My elbow was in pain for a week. This time it wasn't that bad but it was damn close. I figured get shocked again or start seeing a fire....

I am going to have to think of away to prevent this again. The plug outlet is right behind the tank. I really don't want to move everything but I might just have to do that.

Water isn't leaking from the first floor but the wall looks like it goes right down so if it is there it is inside the wall. I don't think there is going to be much I can do and I think I got most of it. Luckly I won't be living here much longer lol...

steve w.

December 30th, 2005, 07:18 AM

mikegauthier

December 30th, 2005, 07:35 AM

I too agree about the GFI. It would have tripped right away once it detected water. And you would have been safe and not to worry about anything catching on fire. Although anything wet is hard to burn.

steve w.

December 30th, 2005, 07:41 AM

Things only burn when you don't want them to.
Murphy's law.

Continental

December 30th, 2005, 08:35 AM

Does anyone in your house know CPR ?

steve w.

December 30th, 2005, 08:45 AM

Knowone here know CPR.
But if I fall asleep on the couch, the dog will start licking me.

KevinFJB

December 30th, 2005, 09:57 AM

Yikes! Glad you are OK. As has been said, it may be a pain to install the GFI, but worth it in the long run (especially for a Dad).

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 10:45 AM

Phophet you should seriously consider a GFI receptacle.They are only about $20 and are available at Can. tire,home hardware,home depot ect.It wont stop you from getting a shock,A ground prob will do that.But it will kick out the power and prevent a fire if it gets wet.

Good idea. I have never heard of that. Like I said I am still rather new to this hobby. I was going to build me a little cabinet for the plugs and such because the bottom of my stand is now full with the fuge. I will look for the GFI at Home Depot. What is a ground probe?

Prophet

December 30th, 2005, 10:57 AM

lol... I feel like such an idiot. I did a quick google search for what a GFI is and it is this...

http://www.leaco.com/common_questions.htm

When my family and I moved into this house I was wondering why the bathrooms didn't have this installed. I didn't know how it worked but I knew that it was supposed to trip if something went wrong. I think I am going to install this in all the bathrooms now since I have to install the one in the master bedroom.

I now know what a ground probe is too.....

steve w.

December 30th, 2005, 03:17 PM

With those receptacles any receptacle downsteam will kick out the GFI if any problems occur.

mikegauthier

December 30th, 2005, 05:51 PM

It's actually part of the hydro code to have a 15A GFI installed in all new bathrooms and a 20A GFI within 3 feet of your kitchen sink.

Fishdude1234

December 30th, 2005, 08:47 PM

And install a water alarm!
You can get them to shut off all pumps if you wish...so a small spill remains a small spill rather than Niagra falls......wish I knew this before 150 gals ended up on my floor and through my floor and into my finished basment :bawl:

Prophet

December 31st, 2005, 02:34 AM

It's actually part of the hydro code to have a 15A GFI installed in all new bathrooms and a 20A GFI within 3 feet of your kitchen sink.

Actually I am in California so it isn't part of the code here. I bought all of them today and hopefully after this last holiday is up I will have some time to install all of them.

I have never heard of a water alarm. Who makes them?