Cracked heater

Texas Reefer · Jan 7, 2018

I made a goofy mistake and didn't unplug my heater while draining water for a water change. The heater cracked and fell apart. I've taken most of the water out, but am leaving a little. Do y'all think think I will have an issue? I already run carbon, and I have another heater for backup. Tomorrow I will buy a new heater.

Big G · Jan 7, 2018

Aqueon Pro = no glass. Ultra reliable. Lifetime guarantee.

Jeepguy242 · Jan 7, 2018

Big G said:
Aqueon Pro = no glass. Ultra reliable. Lifetime guarantee.

This.

I have 2 of them.

Texas Reefer · Jan 7, 2018

Thank you for the recommendation!

Sleepydoc · Jan 7, 2018

What kind of heater was your original one? In general, I don't think there's too much that should be toxic or cause issues, especially with a short duration of exposure, but it wouldn't hurt to get all the water out - and make sure there's no copper pieces!

cilyjr · Jan 8, 2018

Submersible glass heaters are mostly a glass tube with a metal heating element and a ceremic block (or silica sand for the really cheap ones). Try to get the metal out but I'd not worry too much.

Texas Reefer · Jan 8, 2018

Thanks for the replies! It was a Fluval.

Tbell805 · Jan 8, 2018

Sounds like you're on the right track. Just curious, how long was it out of water for?

LuizW13 · Jan 8, 2018

Get one of the Cobalt Neotherm heaters.

liveround69 · Jan 9, 2018

Once I had a thermometer break which of course had those little metal BB's in the bottom for weight. When it broke i seen those things rain all over the sand bed. What i did to remove them was to use one of the power heads magnetic base. When i swept it across the sand bed i seen all those BB's come up out of the sand bed and stick to the magnet. A couple passes and i was done. Havent had any problems since.

FishMagnet · Sep 17, 2018

I bought a 150w Aqueon Pro for my small tank a little while back after reading a few reviews and had no issue but while I was looking for a new heater recently for a bigger tank I read that if these break you really do need to change your water quickly. There are a couple of horror stories on amazon where people have woken up in the morning to (sadly) a tank full of dead fish. To be honest, I know it's a hassle, but better safe than sorry in my opinion.....a few hours to change the water or potentially lethal chemicals in your tank....no decision really.