Heater question

[TikiBird]

So this is the newbiest of newbie questions, forgive me.

I didn't realize the water level in the back chambers of my BioCube 29 had dropped low until I checked today. [emoji15] My heater was definitely partially out of the water, well above the water line. It's an Eheim Jagger heater that says it has a safety shut off it it's out of the water.

Did I totally mess up my heater? Should I get a new one?

 

[morpheas]

Well the danger with glass heaters when they're outside of water is explosion. Since you avoided that you'll be alright.

On the other hand, two suggestions. One is to see if you can ditch that and get your self a titanium heater preferably with an external controller and two, and most importantly, find a place in your system that will not have fluctuating water levels to place your heater.

 

[ngvu1]

I don't think so...However, if the heater is not cracked, just plug it in and check if it works. They have a small window for an amber LED to tell you when it is on. Since you are on the subject, always have a second line of protection to cut the power to the heater when the water is getting too hot...

 

[TikiBird]

Thank you so much, @morpheas and @ngvu1!! I appreciate the help immensely!

 

[mcarroll]

A second cutoff or shutoff (i.e. controller) is not what you need...would not have helped in this case.

What you need are two things:

1. An ATO (auto top-off) to keep the water and salinity level constant!
2. And to place the heater somewhere it won't be exposed in the event of a "low tide".

(And while I also think your heater is probably fine, I would not let this happen again. The first risk from exposure is the potential compromise of the heater's watertight seal from overheating. Then you get a micro leak due to the compromised seal. Then you get an explosion when that tiny amount of water gets vaporized.)

 

[ngvu1]

A second controller might not have been a help in THIS case, but highly recommended.....due to many reasons. I don't think your intention is to tell the OP NOT to have second cut off ... Right?

A second cutoff or shutoff (i.e. controller) is not what you need...would not have helped in this case.

 

[TikiBird]

A second cutoff or shutoff (i.e. controller) is not what you need...would not have helped in this case.

What you need are two things:

1. An ATO (auto top-off) to keep the water and salinity level constant!
2. And to place the heater somewhere it won't be exposed in the event of a "low tide".

(And while I also think your heater is probably fine, I would not let this happen again. The first risk from exposure is the potential compromise of the heater's watertight seal from overheating. Then you get a micro leak due to the compromised seal. Then you get an explosion when that tiny amount of water gets vaporized.)

Eeeeep!! Thank you, @mcarroll!!

 

[TikiBird]

Thanks again for your help, all. Much appreciated. I just ordered a new heater to be safe and a controller. Researching ATO right now. Thank you!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Keep the heater in the first chamber and you shouldn't have an issue with the water level dropping. I'm guessing you had it in the return chamber (#3).

 

[TikiBird]

@cromag08, as always, you are correct! I just moved it into the first chamber.

Oh BTW thank you again for the light! You're gonna laugh at me but I still haven't installed it. I got intimidated by the number of screws. [emoji23] I am an embarrassment to myself sometimes.

 

[Brew12]

@cromag08, as always, you are correct! I just moved it into the first chamber.

Oh BTW thank you again for the light! You're gonna laugh at me but I still haven't installed it. I got intimidated by the number of screws. [emoji23] I am an embarrassment to myself sometimes.

Didn't your sump come with an instruction manual telling you exactly how and where to place everything?

Didn't think so. Mine didn't either. Don't be embarrassed about stuff like this. We all need to learn, and experience is the best teacher.

 

[TikiBird]

[emoji23] Thanks @Brew12!! [emoji23]

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Lol. it's easy. take out all the screws that hold on the plastic splash guard, use some canned air to blow out any dust in the fans, lights, etc then slip the led bar into one of the slots. done.

@cromag08, as always, you are correct! I just moved it into the first chamber.

Oh BTW thank you again for the light! You're gonna laugh at me but I still haven't installed it. I got intimidated by the number of screws. [emoji23] I am an embarrassment to myself sometimes.