IF my tank survives this, I'll be upgrading all my heaters to non glass.

[Ssteve]

My 100w has been struggling to keep up at night, so I figured I would throw the little heater I've been using for water changes in the tank this morning. Hung it over the side, and about 30min later heard a loud bang. The heater had blown the top completely off and scattered what looks like black sand all over the tank. Mostly I'm thankful there was no fire, but now I'm worried the black sand might cause the tank to crash. I vacuumed out what I could but it's everywhere.

p

 

[cbrennan4]

This is one of my biggest fears. Already had one heater break on me but came out ok. Keep us updated and hope everything works out.

 

[ReeferItIs2]

Ive had fish tanks over 20 years and have had more of my share of broken heaters and everything turned out ok...it pays to spend a little extra for a good quality heater

 

[Ssteve]

Yeah. I'll be getting two new non glass heater when I move tanks. Really hope my fish make it. Kinda attached to the clowns in particular.

 

[leveldrummer]

best of luck with it, for what its worth, I have had heaters break also, and had no ill experiences, I think what kills a tank when a heater breaks is the electricity being introduced, not the contents of the heater.

 

[Ssteve]

Lets hope so. Im really not concerned with the corals since I was in the transition to sps's anyways, but Ill be pretty bummed if I loose my fish. Ill be doing large waterchanges and vacuuming the black stuff out of the gravel over the next week or two.

 

[ReeferItIs2]

How did your heater break? All of mines broke during large water changes, as soon as I filled the tank thats when my heater would break...

 

[leveldrummer]

and for future reference, its a good idea to put the heater in the water and wait a while for it to reach the same temp as the water before turning it on. That might be why is blew up.

 

[Breadman03]

and for future reference, its a good idea to put the heater in the water and wait a while for it to reach the same temp as the water before turning it on. That might be why is blew up.

I agree the temperature shock is likely the main factor.

 

[Ssteve]

I had it in the water for about 15min. Thought that would have been enough.. Guess I was wrong.

 

[Reef Bass]

I have had my tank poisoned by a shattered heater in the sump. Sucks more than a little.

Metallic heaters don't shatter but do malfunction and can leak.

 

[thysrof]

Kenny start fragging and get them to Grant's. This is what I was talking about with spreading corals around in case something like this happens. Hopefully you're ok.

 

[jellyfishjosh]

I just want to offer some positive reassurance. I have popped a cheap heater with no ill effects. I even had a pump that was shorting out with no problems. I am using an Ebo Jager and have not had any issues.

 

[Reef Bass]

Kenny start fragging and get them to Grant's. This is what I was talking about with spreading corals around in case something like this happens. Hopefully you're ok.

Thanks Bob. It happened about a year and a half ago. Here is a link to my posting at the time.

bad heater

And it was an Ebo Jager that blew.

 

[thysrof]

Doh!

 

[Dapg8gt]

That sucks but honestly it can happen with any type.. The only one I had blow honestly was a "titanium" heater.. It split right down the middle for no rhyme or reason in my mixing container a few weeks into the batch. Good luck and hope nothing I'll comes of the malfunction..

Gotta agree with the temperature change for the large water change one, if the heater is exposed on or running when your pouring cold water over it it's going to break when submerged..