Have you ever had a heater malfunction or explode?

[EricR]

FWIW, one of the reasons that a failed heater (or other electrical device) can be so bad is that if a copper wire flows AC current into/out of tank water, the processes at the end of the wire drives copper into the water far faster than just a bare copper wire in the water.

This is one of the main ways electrons leave the wire:

Cu (metal) --> Cu2+(aqueous) + 2 e-

Are your for or against a "ground probe" (as I see it called here) purposely installed into the water?

*question is maybe a slight tangent from what you just said, but I'm curious

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are your for or against a "ground probe" (as I see it called here) purposely installed into the water?

*question is maybe a slight tangent from what you just said, but I'm curious

I agree it’s related to what I said, but a GFCI reduces the risks, and human safety is more important, IMO.

 

[topjimmy]

OMG! I just had a nightmare that my heater exploded and killed everything phew just a dream! I told myself beforehand that I’d replace my heater about once a year. Do you replace yours yearly? And have you ever had a heater explode or nuke your tank? And my Apex gives me peace of mind too.

About 30 years ago I had a HOB glass heater in a freshwater tank explode and catch fire and it almost caught some curtains on fire in the process. Luckily I was awake and watching TV by the tank.

 

[immaman2011]

I had one heater back in the day fail in my freshwater tank but luckily when it failed it powered itself off. Didn't stick on. This was when I was doing freshwater fish. I got lucky that time. I buy 300w aqueon pro adjustable heaters now they are awesome and work fast.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Geez on the cobalt heaters. I have a 50w one that's been a decent product (frankly the only that would fit with everything else in the Max Nano) and cross-fingers, has never had an issue. I did have a glass one go out many years ago in freshwater and a few years ago in a pico tank.

There was lots of popping, sizzling and burnt plastic smell but fortunately, I was breaking it in for a betta setup. There was no fish in there at the time.

 

[MONTANTK]

Not at my tank but when I worked at my LFS we had a heater explode and crack in half

 

[Schulks]

My chiller is outside.

I'm not from florida but I think they just keep their houses around 78 because that feels great when it is 103 outside and it expensive enough to maintain lol

 

[Jim Gomoll]

Never had a “catastrophic” fail but had one (2yr old) burn out during AC weather. Temp dropped to ~69degree, inhabitants were not happy. Lost a few corals and fish. Learned allot reading heater reviews, R2R posts, and BRS/YouTube on tank fails regarding heaters after that. Highlighting here what learned and following as typical sytem upkeep.

1) Spend the money on “good” heaters. Cheap ones will burn out faster, break/crack or explode. It is not worth skimping on heater cost when we spend $$$ in corals and fish.

2) Run dual heaters with correct wattage for tank as if only running one. Lowers load on a single heater, and is a backup for if/when one does goes out.

3) Swapping 1 out every year as a failsafe. Consider a heater as disposable, part of yearly system upkeep.
4) Keep a spare on hand for when one does fails, it will.

Following these points is worth it not only for our peace of mind, but not losing the Corals/Fish we love to care for.

 

[WorldZY]

I'm living the nightmare now... my tank exploded and killed off half my tank... I'm so devastated. I lost a Maxima clam, all my coral, marine betta, Couple wrasse...

This sucks so much.

 

[immaman2011]

I'm living the nightmare now... my tank exploded and killed off half my tank... I'm so devastated. I lost a Maxima clam, all my coral, marine betta, Couple wrasse...

This sucks so much.

Sorry for your losses.

The heater exploded? Or the tank itself? The heater I been buying new ones every 6 months so far. The tank? Has to be completely level with no floor sway when walking near it. Any weight shifting under or on the side of tank is dangerous. Even if it's off by a couple millimeters.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Tank exploded. LOL.

 

[immaman2011]

Tank exploded. LOL.

Your tank did? Bows are known to explode more often because if they are not level there is a crap ton of weight on the front glass.

 

[shakacuz]

currently i use 2 BRS titanium heaters. when i upgrade to my 75G i will be using 2 eheim jaegers connected to an ink bird. does anyone now ho to go about maintenance on the probes to the inkbird? his is the version you cannot remove it. just soak in pump cleaner?

 

[WorldZY]

I can't believe I said tank

I typed above as it happened. My heater malfunctioned/crapped out and Turned my water to 93°. Killed 75% of my livestock and all my coral. It sucked.
I went to the fish store and bought a Controller and a heater.

 

[WorldZY]

So sorry for the typo!

 

[TehBrainz]

Never had one explode or ramp up out of control, but I've had a few die on the low end. Almost like the heating element burned out and they just couldn't keep up the tank temp. Dipped my hand in and felt abnormal coldness compared to usual. Checked with a mercury thermometer and I was sitting around 74 instead of 79 as the display showed on the heater.

Upgraded to an inkbird controller, GHL, and titanium heaters now and never going back.

 

[killer2001]

I've replaced my heater with more water displacement.