Att: Help need info

Reefer831 · Nov 25, 2010

OK I just looked at my tank and noticed the temp was at 72, I didn't think about it but it is cold outside around 30, I live in CA so I'm not familiar with it being that cold, so I went to check on the heater and all of the sudden when I grab it it busted and threw me back about a foot. So now I got a broken heater with no back up and no way to buy one on thanks giving so I don't know what to do, also is it safe to start my sump back up? does anything leak when the heater brakes? any one please give me your 2 cents.

Speg · Nov 25, 2010

It sounds like your only other option is to turn the heat up in the house. My tanks can usually maintain a decent temp just by my AC unit...although, I'm currently using a heater in the tank but no heat on the AC unit.

I would try and get a good heater as soon as you can though...

As far as a heater breaking something when they malfunction....I don't believe they usually do, unless they malfunction to the point that they boil the water

Captain Nemo · Nov 25, 2010

Sorry to hear that bro, you can turn your lights on and put a towel or sheet over the tank to try and hold in heat, just be careful with this especially if you have a halide. run it continuously til your temp is up. The heater..... not sure it releases anything or not but make sure you get all the glass out, and if it were me I would drain the sump and refill it if you can.Also no more glass heaters. Sorry man......

Reefer831 · Nov 25, 2010

Man that was a crazy jolt, LOL it threw me back my arm was deep in the sump. So do you think it is ok to start the sump back up? I would do a water change but got no salt. Just did a water change yesterday what luck!!!

Reefer831 · Nov 25, 2010

Thanks so much guys!!!! I think I can handle the heat for now, going to try to get a hold of another reefer from the club, just wanted to make sure the water is safe. Thanks again!!!

FishLipz · Nov 25, 2010

You could try using a watertight container, fill it with hot water and float it in the sump. Kinda like floating a bag of ice to bring down temp in an emergency just reversed. You'd really need to babysit the temp though and Im not sure how effective it would be. Just a thought.

Reefer831 · Nov 25, 2010

FishLipz said:
You could try using a watertight container, fill it with hot water and float it in the sump. Kinda like floating a bag of ice to bring down temp in an emergency just reversed. You'd really need to babysit the temp though and Im not sure how effective it would be. Just a thought.

Thank for the help!! I am in luck it is 4:54 right now and I some how got a hold of my friend who has a spare heater. I guess this is important enough to wake him on thanks giving. Thats what I'm thankfull for on thanks giving!!!!!

Harry_Y · Nov 25, 2010

Actually Cold is nowhere as bad as Hot

Reefer831 · Nov 25, 2010

my tank was at 72 with a heater, it was 28 outside and I don't have a house heater where the tank is located, so the tank temp was going to drop way lower then safe, it's all good though I got a hold of my friend who had an extra heater.