Coraline Algae on Heater- Is This Okay?

Capnbob · 04/27/2006, 09:21 AM

Howdy,

I have a 200W Visi-Therm Stealth Heater and it's starting to get covered in Coraline Algae. Is this okay? Does it affect it's accuracy or effectiveness in any way?

Thanks,

Capnbob

Spuds725 · 04/27/2006, 10:01 AM

I have a similar question-- except for coraline on the thermostat probe for my WON titanium heater... mine is covered, I've had to tweak the thermostat some since I installed it and am not sure if its the coraline or just drifting...

Capnbob · 04/27/2006, 05:55 PM

Anybody?

infrared69 · 04/27/2006, 06:51 PM

no its not ok, as far as the heater, it will effect effecency, and as for the probe, clean it, it will give the heater false readings

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/27/2006, 06:57 PM

vinegar bath....swish around for 30 seconds, let them sit in it for another 20-30 minutes, then swish again, then swish in clean RO water and put back in tank

szwab · 04/27/2006, 07:18 PM

as mentioned it will effect the efficiency somewhat. it will not damage your heater if that's what you are asking. a vinager bath will do the trick. a tooth brush to scrub it off after soaking will make removal a bit easier as well.

Lo0seR · 04/27/2006, 07:59 PM

Good thread my WON titanium heater is completely covered coraline as well.

Capnbob · 04/28/2006, 08:40 AM

Sounds good. I just noticed that the heater was extremely accurate and now it's starting to flucuate a lot. I'll clean it today. Thanks guys.

conefree · 04/28/2006, 09:15 AM

I would clean off the heater if I were you. The more crud on the outside of the heater, the hotter the heater has to get to transfer the same heat. Much akin to having the heater exposed to open air. Good luck!

04/27/2006, 09:21 AM	#1
Capnbob Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 116	Coraline Algae on Heater- Is This Okay? Howdy, I have a 200W Visi-Therm Stealth Heater and it's starting to get covered in Coraline Algae. Is this okay? Does it affect it's accuracy or effectiveness in any way? Thanks, Capnbob

04/27/2006, 10:01 AM	#2
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	I have a similar question-- except for coraline on the thermostat probe for my WON titanium heater... mine is covered, I've had to tweak the thermostat some since I installed it and am not sure if its the coraline or just drifting... __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

04/27/2006, 06:51 PM	#4
infrared69 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: wyoming, pa Posts: 587	no its not ok, as far as the heater, it will effect effecency, and as for the probe, clean it, it will give the heater false readings __________________ The quickest way to end a war is to lose it. Current Tank Info: 95g, 2x250w MH Phoenix 14K D/E, SLS Reef Optix III, BlueWave VII HQI Ballast, 55g Sump, ASM G-3 Skimmer, Red Sea 100mg Ozonizer Deluxe, Nilsen Reactor, Typhoon III RO/DI

04/27/2006, 06:57 PM	#5
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	vinegar bath....swish around for 30 seconds, let them sit in it for another 20-30 minutes, then swish again, then swish in clean RO water and put back in tank __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/27/2006, 07:18 PM	#6
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	as mentioned it will effect the efficiency somewhat. it will not damage your heater if that's what you are asking. a vinager bath will do the trick. a tooth brush to scrub it off after soaking will make removal a bit easier as well. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

04/27/2006, 05:55 PM	#3
Capnbob Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 116	Anybody?

04/27/2006, 07:59 PM	#7
Lo0seR Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: La Mesa, Ca. Posts: 443	Good thread my WON titanium heater is completely covered coraline as well.

04/28/2006, 08:40 AM	#8
Capnbob Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 116	Sounds good. I just noticed that the heater was extremely accurate and now it's starting to flucuate a lot. I'll clean it today. Thanks guys.

04/28/2006, 09:15 AM	#9
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	I would clean off the heater if I were you. The more crud on the outside of the heater, the hotter the heater has to get to transfer the same heat. Much akin to having the heater exposed to open air. Good luck! __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down