Heater exploded and killed my fish!

[sloshesv]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Nicholo]

If you buy the same Ebo in Canada, it will say it is fully submersible. You can absolutely submerse those Ebos...

 

[3rotorFD]

Sorry to hear that . same thing happened to me last night. But it was my fault:mad2: . I forgot my heater was On while doing a water change. and got to hot. Luckily i didn't lose any fish/corals. B/C i pulled everything out immediatly. and did a FULL water change. Fish and corals are doing fine in the QT tank:rollface:

 

[sloshesv]

So I went ahead and purchased a titanium heater from one of the sponsors. I don't want to be the one in a million.

 

[techigirl78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6516027#post6516027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bandsaw
sloshesv, to answer your question. I have never seen an extention cord or power bar or octopus or what ever kind of GFI that plugs into a standard recepticle. Then again, I have never had reason to look for one.

Home Depot sells extension cords with GFI that plug into a standard outlet. It's still cheaper to just install the GFI however if you can.

 

[brian3]

The extension cords at HD I saw do not reset after a power loss. You would have to do it manually every time power goes down if it is the same one.

 

[clsanchez77]

i had a similar experience just a couple of days ago with some laboratory sea urchins that got nuked after they chewed through a filter wire. the GFCI did not trip and the current ran through the tank for who knows how long. in addition to the GFCI, it is also important to have a ground--that is the reason that the device did not trip for me. i am going to get some of those titanium ground probes for each tank.

This is correct.

GFI's will not trip under a high amp draw unless current has left the circuit (through ground). That is what circuit breakers are for, and even then you have to exceed 15 or 20 amps (depending on the breaker) and that is a lot...most vacuum cleaners use 10-12amps.

I have seen a few posts regarding GFI's not tripping and as far as I can tell, in each case while a device was broken, current entered the tank through the hot wire and left through the common line, thus the GFI did not see a leak. There needs to be a ground probe in the tank along with the GFI for an ungrounded device to trip the GFI.

Note if you have a grounded device (most pumps), they will trp the GFI. But ungrounded devices (cheaper powerheads and most heaters) will not as the only way out is through the common.

I strongly recommend the GFI and grounding probe.

Also, I can comment that I have had one glass heater break in my 20 years and it was in a freshwater tank (thank god) and not saltwater. It was not Jager and since that is the only brand I use. I have had Rio's go out and not trip the GFI until I stuck my hand in the tank...the Rio killed everything.

So for my next tank, GFI's, Grounding Probe, Jager Heaters, and no Rio's.

As far as installing the GFI, go to your favorite hardware store and purchase a surface mount box, a GFI outlet (or two) and an appliance chord (ground of coure). Mount to the wall or stand. Follow instructions on wiring and plug into your favorite outlet (or the one closest to the tank). Since your will not be hardwired into the house electric, you are fine with codes. Cost should be less than $20 for one GFI.

Chris

 

[Bandsaw]

That's a good point clsanchez77. I work in the Railway Signal industry. I have seen first hand what equipment looks like after high voltage/amprage has run through a surge arrest network without a proper grounding network.

Glad you brought that point up!

 

[zmalexander]

I'll never buy a glass heater again!!!
Zac

 

[boxfishpooalot]

imo glass is 60's technology.

About the Won digital heater. There is a screw inside it that controlls the tempertature. Open it up to find the correct point. Ive done it to mine, just need a screw driver. adjust the temperature to an accurate thermometer.

 

[marilynrn711]

temp. controller.......for under $100 you'll have a temp. that doesn't fluctuate more than 0.9 degrees ever.(titanium heaters also a good idea)
-Aqua Medic has a digital temp. controller with a 500W Titanium heater for $105 online.(this is what i use...but with 3-300W heaters)

Where did you get this at? My won bros pro ll just went out and only had it less than a year. If you look at the reviews on premium aquatic they are terrible.