Excuse my idiotness but its really important I block the whatever-currents that come off my computer. I have a fishtank next to it with this electric fish in it that can die if it is exposed to them for too long. What will work? I put a huge mirror between the 2 things but I have a feeling that was pointless and retarded:rolleyes: What about aluminium foil? Please help me and my electric knife fish:(

Well you can go to the expense of building a Faraday cage around your tank but a more practical idea would be to move it away from the computer maybe? I didn't know electric fish were that sensitive to electrical fields.

Moving the tank?
Practical?
Thats anything but practical, its freaking huge, with about 50 fish in it. Plus there really is no where else to put it.
I'm starting to think(or hope) this mirror might work, its got a metallic back and its big enough to completely hide the computer from the tank. I'm not sure though.
Can electric currents pass through metal?

Im pretty sure that the metal cae of your computer is considered "grounded" in that any extraneous currents coming from the computer innards are going to take the path of least resistance --not going through your fish tank-- and will be dispersed in the metal casing and even possibly through that third little plug that goes into the wall which is designed solely for the purpose of grounding things like computers (perhaps you could put rubber pads under the tank?).


If it's the radiation (doubtful) that you're conserned about, then i know that copper screent provides adequate protection from event the strongest of fluctuating E-feilds-- probably not what you're after.

In the end, I further believe that the water provides an adequate grounding, and protecting, medium for your sensitive little fish. So, unless you have it from a reliable source that nearby electrical appliances have ill effects on this sort of aquatic freind i beleive that you in fact have NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. Just dont go dropping toasters in the tank! :p

Ah, another thought. It is highly doubtful again that your computer will effect the fish because you most likely have little electric filters much closer to the fish that the computer, and so they would pose more of a (nonexistant) danger to your little fishy.

Yeah I was kind of skeptical myself but all fish owner types parrot the same concerns. I wouldn't be surprised if one guy just assumed it would be harmful one day and it grew from there.
I hope it will be ok, it wasn't cheap and its really cool.
Thanks for easing my nerves a little Myq :)

A fardays cage is simply a completely enclosed metal case. How much of the EM field it can cancel out is dependent on the thickness of the metal. If your case is a good metal case (not the crappy new plastic ones) you should be fine. Have you noticed problems with your fish? The mirror probably gives minimal sheilding (only from the silver backing).

-AntonK

I'm really obsessed with electronics, and I know quite a bit about this sort of stuff. The electrical field coming from the computer (and probably any transformers in it) are the same form as a radio wave for a radio station. Antennaes are used to capture the wave, so you would need to make "net" or wall of metal that could be used as an antennae. The mirror wouldn't work at all. For best results, you should probably connect a wire from the wall thing (aluminum foil would work) to a window frame (metal) to be used as a ground. This will absorb the electromagnetic waves from the computer, ground it, and protect your fish.

Hope this works...

-strategicman

Excuse my idiotness

Idiocy.

try a copper sheet, Iv'e heard that works pretty well.

OR:

Coat a thin piece of MDF or corrugated cardboard in a mix of iron filings and glue.

worth a try!

Have you considered moving your computer?

A fardays cage is simply a completely enclosed metal case. How much of the EM field it can cancel out is dependent on the thickness of the metal.

If memory serves, a Faraday cage will work just as long as it's completely closed. The thickness of the metal wouldn't be a real issue.

However, I can't imagine it would really matter. The electric field that a computer emits is really quite minimal, and the fishwater should shield the little guys pretty well. You could always just put a rubber pad under your computer desk.

random thought:
dont superconductors block EM fields as well?

so how big a shock can the fish give?, how fast does it recharge?
how you tryed to pick it up yet :) ?

It has a very weak electrical organ used for navigation. I don't think its used for shocking things, I think it can in self defense but its still a very weak shock.

The problem with having electrical appliances near it is it might confuse its navigation and it could have trouble feeding. Its very close to blind, it can only distinguish between day and night and uses its electrical organ to "see" its world.
I've kind of given up on blocking the currents or whatever, I just don't use the computer as much, he seems ok, he can still eat at least.
http://www.fmnh.org/research_collections/ecp/ecp_sites/Parker_Gentry/images/blackghost_lg.jpg
Here's a pic of one, its not mine but they all look the same, pretty cool huh?:)

That’s actually a legitimate concern: I remember something about zoo having trouble with sharks bumping into walls due to high-voltage wires behind them. I’m sorry to say this but the magnetic fields and EM radiation of your house’s wiring would have a greater effect, the computer case is a reasonable EM shield as long as the case is metal.

heh when you say "electric fish" i was think on the lines of electic eels but smaller.

The military has a big problem with electrical eminations and they follow a tempest policy. A computer can be made tempest proof or you can buy one already tempest proof that will eliminate almost all electrical eminations.

Depends what expense you want to undergo for your fish.

Find a plaque of lead and put it between your fishtank and your computer. As a general rule, lead pretty much blocks out all types of radiation.