Does it ever end in this hobby?

[dreaminmel]

So I've been a bit quiet around here ever since my aefw battle but feel the need to vent about yet another hobby episode.

My husband woke me up around 5am saying he heard a popping noise come from my tank and something's not right as there is a wickedly nasty smell coming from it...

I get up and go downstairs to take a look... almost gag on the way down from the smell...

I immediately started unplugging everything except the lights and powerheads so I can investigate the sump because things have been a little weird down there lately with quick evaporation and the skimmer having a mind of its own.

On quick glance I don't notice anything amiss except the water level seemed a bit low. I opened the canopy, felt all cords and sniffed around but it seemed the smell above the tank was being blown in by the fans. Back down to the sump...

Have you guessed yet?

So I have two heaters in the sump. One in a guard laying on the bottom and the other suctioned to the side. My heart sank... low water level... Sure enough I started lifting the suctioned one out by the cord and half of the glass part stayed in the sump. The inside top of it was NASTY so I think its safe to assume that the heater cracked due to the low water level and started fire but was put out by the water... I put that sucker in a bucket out on the porch and the thing still stank to holy heaven when I left for work 2 hours later.

We got lucky. I mean reaaaalllllyy lucky. I wish there was a way to sustain our little ecosystems without the use of electricity...

Thanks for lettin me vent and share. Happy and Safe Reefin'!

 

[johno4]

wow good thing nothing major happened. Is everything in the tank ok?

 

[dreaminmel]

I won't know until after work today. Before going back to bed I searched around with the flashlight and found a couple of healthy looking fish but they all hide really good when they sleep at night. The urchin, sea cuke, starfish and snails all seemed normal so I'm crossing my fingers.

 

[jfl14609]

wow you got lucky I had one shatter once that was fun trying to get the glass out. I hate to sound stupid but whats a aefw battle?

 

[bosborn1]

AEFW-Acro eating flatworms

Been there Mel....It sucks

 

[jimmer]

hope everything is ok mel!
aefw=acro eating flat worm i believe

 

[dreaminmel]

I'm hoping that everything looks happy later on. I am actually moving the whole thing in the next 2 weeks to top it all off as I'm about to close on my first house. The idea of having that huge thing being a fire risk in my house though is starting to unsettle my mind. I know that when everything is done right the chances of a fire are low... just can't help worrying a little more right about now. =)

 

[SkiFletch]

Wow Mel, hope everything turns out ok for you. All these broken heater stories I read almoast make me want to change mine out every year

 

[jfl14609]

I figured it was something with flatworms but couldnt place it thanks and best of luck. hows that 75 stand working does the snake like it?

 

[Willistein]

I've had glass heater problems in the past and will never buy one again. Glad everything is OK, hope the inhabitants are as well.

 

[MarksReef]

I hope every thing turns out in your favor. Fire is my most fear with my tanks.

 

[Lanceafer]

I had a glass heater explode in my hand once. I had unplugged it for about ten minutes so I thought it would be safe to take out. I was wrong....it literally exploded glass shards everywhere. After that I found a heater that has a metal case. (Aluminum?) It works great, I would recommend them to anyone. It even has an auto shut-off when you take it out of the water so you don’t burn yourself touching it after its been sitting out for a while. I loved it so much after I got it, I bought another one a week later. http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=13811

 

[dreaminmel]

jfl14609 - the stand and canopy are great. The lizard actually passed a couple weeks ago (they only live 7 years, the one thing that SUCKS about pets) but she looked awesome in it. We're waiting until after the move to figure out what future awaits the setup. =)

Lanceafer - I had thought about those but have always ruled them out due to the metal/salt water combo. I just saw the stealth heaters online and remembered I've had one of those in my freshwater tank for a while now and it works beautifully. Here's the web address: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12060&N=2004+113767

I think I'm just going to get a couple of those and get rid of the other glass heater in my sump while I'm at it.

 

[Ishmael's Dad]

I use a titanium heater for my 55 - no sump. Originally purchased it from Drs Foster and Smith. I've had it three years, with no problems - knock on wood. I'm a little perplexed why they haven't grown in popularity.

Sorry to hear about the problems with your tank. Good luck with the move.