Heater - Cracked....

bmallia82 · 01/30/2009, 12:15 PM

Looked into my refugium and saw that my heater has just recently exploded. At least that is what it looks like happened.

How does this occur?

I need to replace it, what do you guys reccomend.

I have a 125 gallon take with a custom sump holding about 30g of water

L98-Z · 01/30/2009, 12:24 PM

I assume it's glass?

Normally it happens by the heater coming out of the water, heating up, then being submerged again. Not sure in your case, and yes, I'd replace it asap.

bmallia82 · 01/30/2009, 12:32 PM

What kind of heater do you reccomend?

Quote:

Originally posted by L98-Z
I assume it's glass?

Normally it happens by the heater coming out of the water, heating up, then being submerged again. Not sure in your case, and yes, I'd replace it asap.

an411 · 01/30/2009, 12:38 PM

a non glass one had the same thing happen to me i think that the one that i got was stealth its a plastic one

AquaScapes1 · 01/30/2009, 10:02 PM

I would get a 800 watt titanium heater with controller and you will never have to worry about a heater exploding again.

Juruense · 01/30/2009, 11:10 PM

Throw some polyfilter in there to absorb any heavy metals that may have been released, ASAP.

Tylt33 · 01/30/2009, 11:12 PM

Eheim and Ebo Jaeger seem to come as the most recommended brands. What is your average ambient room temp? Are you running your pumps internal? I think I have two 125 watt heaters in my ~200g setup, but the house is kept at 68 degrees, and I have three large pumps in my sump that keep it warm.

Whys · 01/31/2009, 12:30 AM

You'll definately want to test for copper, just in case. You might also want to consider going with two 400w heaters rather than a single 800w.

Pulp Fishin · 01/31/2009, 10:05 AM

Here is a thought, was it submersable?
My friend heater exploded too when he had it in his sump abover the water line, then he had a powerout and 5gal back-syphoned into the sump which covered the top of his heater, it was fine at the time because he didn't have power, as soon as power clicked back on the heater was submerged and sparked and exploded glass into this sump.
Sounds fimilar, what model heater was it?

Juruense · 01/31/2009, 10:18 AM

Also, FYI Ebo Jager NOT submersible.

billsreef · 01/31/2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Juruense
Also, FYI Ebo Jager NOT submersible.

Ebo does indeed make submersible heaters, as well as the non submersible type.

As for the best way to go, IMO the earlier recommendation of titanium heaters on a good controller is the ticket

If those aren't in the budget, the stealth heaters from Marineland are good basic heaters.

Juruense · 01/31/2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by billsreef
Ebo does indeed make submersible heaters, as well as the non submersible type.

Incorrect, some vendors LIST them as submersible but the owner's manuals for all Ebo Jager heaters clearly state that they are not fully submersible. They are great heaters however, I have one on every tank I own.

billsreef · 01/31/2009, 11:00 AM

I have fully submersible ebo's in my lab

Juruense · 01/31/2009, 11:03 AM

Look close you will see that water has gotten into them. You can see it as streaks/corrosion on the inside of the glass.

Kieth71 · 01/31/2009, 11:11 AM

I have had mine submerged for quite some time..if they are not supposed to be they seem to work fine.I am looking at the one i use in my water mix and their are no streaks or corrosion.

Ranchhand02 · 01/31/2009, 11:14 AM

Get a titanium, they are a much better heater. I have one and they are much smaller and better.

billsreef · 01/31/2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Juruense
Look close you will see that water has gotten into them. You can see it as streaks/corrosion on the inside of the glass.

Some of them are several years old, get knocked around by careless students, and still show no signs of leaking

Whys · 01/31/2009, 08:30 PM

Titaniums are nice. They are smaller, heat more evenly, and as far as I know, they are always submersible.

You really only have to break one glass or plastic heater before the additional cost of titanium becomes well worth it.

01/30/2009, 12:15 PM	#1
bmallia82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NY Posts: 242	Heater - Cracked.... Looked into my refugium and saw that my heater has just recently exploded. At least that is what it looks like happened. How does this occur? I need to replace it, what do you guys reccomend. I have a 125 gallon take with a custom sump holding about 30g of water

01/30/2009, 10:02 PM	#5
AquaScapes1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass Posts: 52	I would get a 800 watt titanium heater with controller and you will never have to worry about a heater exploding again. __________________ 60% of the time it works every time. Current Tank Info: 120 Reef 46bow with a big mean grouper

01/31/2009, 10:05 AM	#9
Pulp Fishin Were all mad here. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Ontario Canada Posts: 608	Here is a thought, was it submersable? My friend heater exploded too when he had it in his sump abover the water line, then he had a powerout and 5gal back-syphoned into the sump which covered the top of his heater, it was fine at the time because he didn't have power, as soon as power clicked back on the heater was submerged and sparked and exploded glass into this sump. Sounds fimilar, what model heater was it? __________________ Reef Central Corner Club Aquarium Dumpster Diver Extraordinaire Money talks, mine says "Good-Bye" Current Tank Info: RIP:60g Pentagon Reef 100lbs LR 20g Sump Deltec Mce 600 Mag 750 250W Metal Halide & 2x39W T5's Phosban ReactorX2 5gal refugium 36xTO RIP:135G FOWLER /Agressive

01/31/2009, 11:00 AM	#13
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	I have fully submersible ebo's in my lab __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/30/2009, 12:24 PM	#2
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	I assume it's glass? Normally it happens by the heater coming out of the water, heating up, then being submerged again. Not sure in your case, and yes, I'd replace it asap.

01/30/2009, 12:38 PM	#4
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	a non glass one had the same thing happen to me i think that the one that i got was stealth its a plastic one

01/30/2009, 11:10 PM	#6
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Throw some polyfilter in there to absorb any heavy metals that may have been released, ASAP.

01/30/2009, 11:12 PM	#7
Tylt33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,755	Eheim and Ebo Jaeger seem to come as the most recommended brands. What is your average ambient room temp? Are you running your pumps internal? I think I have two 125 watt heaters in my ~200g setup, but the house is kept at 68 degrees, and I have three large pumps in my sump that keep it warm.

01/31/2009, 12:30 AM	#8
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	You'll definately want to test for copper, just in case. You might also want to consider going with two 400w heaters rather than a single 800w.

01/31/2009, 10:18 AM	#10
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Also, FYI Ebo Jager NOT submersible.

01/31/2009, 11:03 AM	#14
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Look close you will see that water has gotten into them. You can see it as streaks/corrosion on the inside of the glass.

01/31/2009, 11:11 AM	#15
Kieth71 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 1,026	I have had mine submerged for quite some time..if they are not supposed to be they seem to work fine.I am looking at the one i use in my water mix and their are no streaks or corrosion.

01/31/2009, 11:14 AM	#16
Ranchhand02 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 532	Get a titanium, they are a much better heater. I have one and they are much smaller and better.

01/31/2009, 08:30 PM	#18
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Titaniums are nice. They are smaller, heat more evenly, and as far as I know, they are always submersible. You really only have to break one glass or plastic heater before the additional cost of titanium becomes well worth it.