Do u unplug your heater/filter before sticking arm in tank?

[dmac]

I read that you should do this for safety reasons........Is that true?



edit: oops wrong forum, mods please move to general freshwater forum.
sorry.

 

[chotie]

no, i dont.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

The topic has been moved.

I do not unplug anything before putting my hands or arms in the tank. The only time that I do is when the water level gets too low.

 

[JustOneMore20]

I don't unplug mine either, not to stick my arm in the tank. When I do water changes I unplug the filter and heater because I know the water level will get low. That is so I don't burn them up...not because I'm afraid they'll shock me or anything.

 

[DeFeKt]

in all reality you probably should for safety reasons, in case something is wrong with any electrical equipment.
But no I don't either.

 

[lovemybarbs]

I don't unless I am doing a water change.

 

[joannde]

Well, you'd think if there were an electrical problem that the fish would be affected and you'd notice this before you stuck your hand in the tank, no ? LOL

 

[chotie]

Well, you'd think if there were an electrical problem that the fish would be affected and you'd notice this before you stuck your hand in the tank, no ? LOL

but what happens if there is a short or a heater glass break while you are fishing your hand in there? then all of a sudden it aint that funny since you can possibly be electrocuted.

 

[dmac]

Woudl that scenario pretty much result in automatic and sudden death?

 

[hulkamaniac]

Woudl that scenario pretty much result in automatic and sudden death?

That would be the worst case scenario. Best would be a shock and a funny story to tell later on. Somewhere in the middle would be permanent debilitation.

 

[chotie]

Woudl that scenario pretty much result in automatic and sudden death?

depends on a bunch of factors i think. just thinking psuedo-scientifically,
-depends on how many volts are being pumped into the heater.
-if an open circuit is what you run into.
-what you are standing on.
-how deep your hand is.

if you are the cautious (and unlazy) type, its real easy to unplug 2-3 plugs. if you are the fly-by-your-seat (aka lazy) then just like AIDS, someone will always think it will NEVER happen to them.

 

[joannde]

Yep - all true - and now you've probably convinced me to turn off that strip switch whenever I'm going to stick my hand in the tank ! Another " + " for having everything plugged into a surge protector - one switch turn on / off.
Message received load and clear

 

[chotie]

i wonder how many aquarium related deaths happen per year? better chance of winning the lotto? or getting hit by lightning?

 

[src]

I've got a power strip with several unswitched outlets. When I am doing anything serious in the tank, I turn off the strip (heater, light, HOB), but the air pump stays on.

 

[lovemybarbs]

so like if there was an electrical current going through the water, wouldn't the fish be dead???

 

[chotie]

so like if there was an electrical current going through the water, wouldn't the fish be dead???

not if the current doesnt happen till you put your hand in the water.

 

[lovemybarbs]

can fish call 911?? Oh wait, they'd be dead too.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I don't turn any of mine off either.

 

[BillD]

I don't turn mine off just to put my arm in. Actually, you wouldn't be able to tell by observing the fish if there was a potential shock situation. I have dropped a flourescent fixture into a tank (twice) and it didn't hurt the fish any. In fact the, light stayed lit. Kind of blows the common misconception that water is a good conductor of electricity. It isn't.

 

[chotie]

Kind of blows the common misconception that water is a good conductor of electricity. It isn't.

what? water is one of the best conducters of electricty. just because a light fixture fell in and nothing happen does not prove anything but luck 8)