H20 change water safe to use after heater blowup?

snarkes · 01/28/2008, 10:21 PM

Alright, the title says it all. The heater in my water change barrel blew today (cracked and gave the room a lovely burnt electrical smell). I have it aerating and circulating again but I wonder is the water good to use still? I'd hate to waste THAT much water (I'm in Georgia and we're having a small problem with a lack of rain

). I was hoping that I could aerate it for another day and use it.... Thoughts?

I know that I've had one in my sump blow before with no ill effects to the tank, but never had one that smelled like this. (one of those plastic heaters).

zma21 · 01/28/2008, 10:33 PM

Is it clear?

This happened to me once and the water turned all grey like it was full of smoke or something.

Aquarist007 · 01/28/2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snarkes
Alright, the title says it all. The heater in my water change barrel blew today (cracked and gave the room a lovely burnt electrical smell). I have it aerating and circulating again but I wonder is the water good to use still? I'd hate to waste THAT much water (I'm in Georgia and we're having a small problem with a lack of rain ). I was hoping that I could aerate it for another day and use it.... Thoughts?

I know that I've had one in my sump blow before with no ill effects to the tank, but never had one that smelled like this. (one of those plastic heaters).

I had the same thing happen in my sump with no problems

If their was copper inside that heater then it is chancy to use--can you get a hold of a TDS meter and check it out?

snarkes · 01/28/2008, 10:55 PM

Well, it doesnt look grey... just smells. But I dont know if there was copper in the heater and it was already mixed with salt to do a water change tonite so my tds meter wont help...

mbbuna · 01/28/2008, 11:12 PM

if you had copper wires in the heater then no. it should be easy to tell if the wires were copper

snarkes · 01/28/2008, 11:21 PM

Hmmm... well I already threw away the heater. I can check with the manufacturer tomorrow, but it was a Visi-Therm Stealth Heater... anyone know about these?

01/28/2008, 10:21 PM	#1
snarkes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 479	H20 change water safe to use after heater blowup? Alright, the title says it all. The heater in my water change barrel blew today (cracked and gave the room a lovely burnt electrical smell). I have it aerating and circulating again but I wonder is the water good to use still? I'd hate to waste THAT much water (I'm in Georgia and we're having a small problem with a lack of rain ). I was hoping that I could aerate it for another day and use it.... Thoughts? I know that I've had one in my sump blow before with no ill effects to the tank, but never had one that smelled like this. (one of those plastic heaters).

01/28/2008, 10:33 PM	#2
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	Is it clear? This happened to me once and the water turned all grey like it was full of smoke or something. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

01/28/2008, 10:55 PM	#4
snarkes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 479	Well, it doesnt look grey... just smells. But I dont know if there was copper in the heater and it was already mixed with salt to do a water change tonite so my tds meter wont help...

01/28/2008, 11:12 PM	#5
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	if you had copper wires in the heater then no. it should be easy to tell if the wires were copper

01/28/2008, 11:21 PM	#6
snarkes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 479	Hmmm... well I already threw away the heater. I can check with the manufacturer tomorrow, but it was a Visi-Therm Stealth Heater... anyone know about these?