Any electricians? Old house with 2 prong outlet

[mk4fan]

I would like to setup a tank in my basement, and there is only a two prong outlet. I know there are 3 prong adapter I can use but not sure if those are safe.

This is only going to be a fish only tank so nothing using a lot of electricity maybe just the heater.

Thanks for you advice!

 

[masterswimmer]

The third prong is the ground. In no circumstance should you run an aquarium plugged into an ungrounded outlet. Your safety should be your first concern.

 

[mk4fan]

The third prong is the ground. In no circumstance should you run an aquarium plugged into an ungrounded outlet. Your safety should be your first concern.

Sorry what does that mean, if its not grounded? Does that mean I can get electrocuted?

 

[FiNeMaN]

Could be as simple as swapping out the 2-prong with a 3-prong outlet. But u will have to verify that the box in the wall is also properly grounded.

 

[FiNeMaN]

Running an ungrounded outlet will be endangering both yourself and the fish.

 

[mfs1855]

If you feel comfortable, you can shut the circuit breaker off and take off the outlet cover and take a picture of the wires in site. If there is BX running from the panel to the outlet, you 'might' be able to switch the outlet with a 3 prong. However, I would suggest that you call a licensed electrician, since you have an old home presumably without upgraded electric it would be good for a pro to take a look.

 

[clasystems]

I think a simple answer is electricity always looks for the easiest way to ground, you hope that way isnt thru your body cause then you get shocked But yeah, dont mess with it if you dont understand some basic concepts.

 

[mk4fan]

 

[mk4fan]

Thanks for the replies, guess I have to find an electrician...

 

[edd]

switch it to a gfi outlet, as long as your going to change it.
if your handy its simple to change it, make sure you shut the breaker.

 

[clasystems]

I gave up with gfi's after they kept tripping on me with rogue false faults. I'm not a big fan of them on fish tanks. I make sure I have an outside cover on anything close to water on a surge protector with a notification light of a wire fault.

 

[mfs1855]

So that is BX (Bronx Experimental ..little bit of trivia for you). I have that in my house and the metal casing acts as a ground as long as it's actually grounded. I would put in a GFCI outlet assuming the bx is grounded. Just remember though that a GFCI outlet will provide you a good deal of safety but it is no guarantee that you won't get shocked.