Super heater mixing station

MJV0103 · 01/19/2016, 05:36 PM

So I'm getting ready to do a water change and realize when I take kid off my brute that's something is amiss when I'm smacked in the face with a heat wave. My heater apparently lost its ability to tell temp and heated the water to 101. There's a light tan film of something on the powerheads and heater.

Still good to use after it cools down?

gone fishin · 01/19/2016, 06:05 PM

Wow, I don't know if I would use it. Is the heater still intact? does it look like anything may have precipitated out? Don't know about the film.

I think I would just toss the water and make more.

MJV0103 · 01/19/2016, 06:28 PM

Heater looked fine. Just had that light film on it

Jscwerve · 01/19/2016, 07:20 PM

I wouldn't trust it.

https://youtu.be/7EzObDTkwQk

Way horrible scenario for a heater malfunction. Yours isn't near as bad, but just in case, is the value of some water and salt worth the risk to your tank?

thegrun · 01/19/2016, 10:12 PM

Most likely what you are seeing is calcium precipitation which increases with heat. I would say it will be fine to use once it cools down, but will likely be a little low in calcium, alkalinity and perhaps magnesium.

scooter31707 · 01/20/2016, 08:55 AM

+1, I would discard it and make another batch.

01/19/2016, 05:36 PM	#1
MJV0103 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: DC Metro Area Posts: 228	Super heater mixing station So I'm getting ready to do a water change and realize when I take kid off my brute that's something is amiss when I'm smacked in the face with a heat wave. My heater apparently lost its ability to tell temp and heated the water to 101. There's a light tan film of something on the powerheads and heater. Still good to use after it cools down? __________________ Tank Info: 50G Tank with DIY 20G Sump/Fuge. Approx 40lbs of LF. AquaticLife T5 HO 4-Lamp Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LEDs. Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer. Current Tank Info: 50G Soft Reef Setup

01/19/2016, 06:05 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Wow, I don't know if I would use it. Is the heater still intact? does it look like anything may have precipitated out? Don't know about the film. I think I would just toss the water and make more. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/19/2016, 06:28 PM	#3
MJV0103 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: DC Metro Area Posts: 228	Heater looked fine. Just had that light film on it __________________ Tank Info: 50G Tank with DIY 20G Sump/Fuge. Approx 40lbs of LF. AquaticLife T5 HO 4-Lamp Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LEDs. Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer. Current Tank Info: 50G Soft Reef Setup

01/19/2016, 07:20 PM	#4
Jscwerve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 309	I wouldn't trust it. https://youtu.be/7EzObDTkwQk Way horrible scenario for a heater malfunction. Yours isn't near as bad, but just in case, is the value of some water and salt worth the risk to your tank?

01/19/2016, 10:12 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Most likely what you are seeing is calcium precipitation which increases with heat. I would say it will be fine to use once it cools down, but will likely be a little low in calcium, alkalinity and perhaps magnesium.

01/20/2016, 08:55 AM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	+1, I would discard it and make another batch.