Heater just exploded in my tank!

shse666 · 04/30/2016, 10:37 PM

This just happened!

I was in the other room when I heard it exploded.
The GFCI did not trip.

The mantis is still alive but it flooded the tank with mica.

I did a water change and added carbon. I don't know what else might have ended up in the water.

I just flooded a replacement tank a few hours ago but that doesn't really help as it has not cycled.

Damn cheap imports. GRRR!

theatrus · 04/30/2016, 10:48 PM

Brand, model, and roughly when you purchased it?

Could be water intrusion caused a steam explosion.

CafeReef · 05/01/2016, 12:52 AM

Looks to be a finnex titanium. How old was it?

alton · 05/01/2016, 08:39 AM

Grounding probe?

shse666 · 05/01/2016, 11:22 AM

It was a Finnex 150-Watt purchased from Amazon and in use for less than 5 months.

Potatohead · 05/01/2016, 11:53 AM

Yikes

drummerboyevil · 05/01/2016, 12:35 PM

****, I use these heaters.

Reel North · 05/01/2016, 01:11 PM

I have a 500 w. What caused that?

moondoggy4 · 05/01/2016, 02:58 PM

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex...ontroller.html are these the models?

shse666 · 05/01/2016, 03:37 PM

Yep. That looks exactly like what exploded. As for why I don't know for sure. Looks like maybe the glue around the top failed and let salt water into the heating element and it flashed over.

I'm going to be seriously ticked if the peacock mantis perishes because of this.

theatrus · 05/01/2016, 04:10 PM

I've had tons of heaters fail due to stuck thermostats (Jagers included), but lucky enough to not have an explosion. Sucks.

How far did the temperature droop? The actual guts are likely fairly inert (nickel chromium wire and ceramic/mica insulator).

shse666 · 05/01/2016, 09:33 PM

The mantis, 2 damsels, snails, and soft corals are all still alive 24 hours later. Maybe we dodged the explosion.

shse666 · 05/01/2016, 09:40 PM

Here is TJ.

dana_ag · 05/01/2016, 11:07 PM

I've had really good luck with the cobalt Easy-Therm so far, knock on aquarium cabinet...

I too have had a couple glass heaters fail, not fun times

dana_ag · 05/01/2016, 11:08 PM

I've had really good luck with the cobalt Easy-Therm so far, knock on aquarium cabinet...

I too have had a couple glass heaters fail, not fun times

drummerboyevil · 05/02/2016, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana_ag

I've had really good luck with the cobalt Easy-Therm so far, knock on aquarium cabinet...

I too have had a couple glass heaters fail, not fun times

I think those are the most reported exploding heaters out there.

mirkus · 05/02/2016, 04:09 PM

man, I have a either the 400 or 500 watt one...scary! 5 months isn't even that old.

dana_ag · 05/24/2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerboyevil

I think those are the most reported exploding heaters out there.

I think you're thinking about the Neo-Therm Cobalt Heater? I've heard the same about those.

Syntax1325 · 05/24/2016, 06:54 PM

I had a finnex blow the end cap off (opposite the power wire) when it was accidentally left plugged in and exposed to air in my water change bucket. I've got two 800 watt finnex tubes in use currently controlled by Ranco's for 2 and 1 year respectively without issue so far.

These tubes seem to be the most reliable on the market. Bummer that you had a problem; however, I'm glad that your livestock is ok.

04/30/2016, 10:37 PM	#1
shse666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 116	Heater just exploded in my tank! This just happened! I was in the other room when I heard it exploded. The GFCI did not trip. The mantis is still alive but it flooded the tank with mica. I did a water change and added carbon. I don't know what else might have ended up in the water. I just flooded a replacement tank a few hours ago but that doesn't really help as it has not cycled. Damn cheap imports. GRRR!

04/30/2016, 10:48 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Brand, model, and roughly when you purchased it? Could be water intrusion caused a steam explosion. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

05/01/2016, 12:52 AM	#3
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	Looks to be a finnex titanium. How old was it? __________________ 50 Gallon cube

05/01/2016, 01:11 PM	#8
Reel North New King of Quarantine Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hammertown, Canada eh Posts: 1,175	I have a 500 w. What caused that? __________________ It takes a very rich man to buy cheap things Current Tank Info: frag tank. Lame

05/01/2016, 04:10 PM	#11
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	I've had tons of heaters fail due to stuck thermostats (Jagers included), but lucky enough to not have an explosion. Sucks. How far did the temperature droop? The actual guts are likely fairly inert (nickel chromium wire and ceramic/mica insulator). __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

05/01/2016, 08:39 AM	#4
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Grounding probe?

05/01/2016, 11:22 AM	#5
shse666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 116	It was a Finnex 150-Watt purchased from Amazon and in use for less than 5 months.

05/01/2016, 11:53 AM	#6
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	Yikes

05/01/2016, 12:35 PM	#7
drummerboyevil Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 654	****, I use these heaters.

05/01/2016, 02:58 PM	#9
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex...ontroller.html are these the models?

05/01/2016, 03:37 PM	#10
shse666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 116	Yep. That looks exactly like what exploded. As for why I don't know for sure. Looks like maybe the glue around the top failed and let salt water into the heating element and it flashed over. I'm going to be seriously ticked if the peacock mantis perishes because of this.

05/01/2016, 09:33 PM	#12
shse666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 116	The mantis, 2 damsels, snails, and soft corals are all still alive 24 hours later. Maybe we dodged the explosion.

05/01/2016, 09:40 PM	#13
shse666 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 116	Here is TJ.

05/01/2016, 11:07 PM	#14
dana_ag Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Orange County Posts: 27	I've had really good luck with the cobalt Easy-Therm so far, knock on aquarium cabinet... I too have had a couple glass heaters fail, not fun times

05/01/2016, 11:08 PM	#15
dana_ag Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Orange County Posts: 27	I've had really good luck with the cobalt Easy-Therm so far, knock on aquarium cabinet... I too have had a couple glass heaters fail, not fun times

05/02/2016, 04:09 PM	#17
mirkus Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 311	man, I have a either the 400 or 500 watt one...scary! 5 months isn't even that old.

05/24/2016, 06:54 PM	#19
Syntax1325 Acro Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 598	I had a finnex blow the end cap off (opposite the power wire) when it was accidentally left plugged in and exposed to air in my water change bucket. I've got two 800 watt finnex tubes in use currently controlled by Ranco's for 2 and 1 year respectively without issue so far. These tubes seem to be the most reliable on the market. Bummer that you had a problem; however, I'm glad that your livestock is ok. __________________ Back to halides and loving it! Current Tank Info: 180g sps dom, 40b sump, Reeflo Dart, Apex, Aquamaxx co2, Reefbrite mh/led pendants w/14k twinarcs, Kore 5th doser, Tunze ATO, Ranco controlling 800 watt Finnex tube, 2 Maxpect Gyre 150XF with Ice Cap Controllers and battery backup, Bean Animal drain