Heater smoking in Mixing Station

[reefbandit]

I forgot my my heater was left on in my mixing station when I did a waterchange. I came out and found it smoking in the garage. I dropped it in the couple gallons of water left to cool it down. Is the mixing container still usable? Should fill and run carbon to remove any contaminants prior to mixing a new batch?

 

[Cory]

Not worth the risk imo. Id get a new one.

 

[RedoubtReef]

smoking or steaming? Visible damage?

 

[reefbandit]

Smoking . I haven't pulled it out yet but it looked damaged you could smell burnt electrical. It's a $300 mixing container that's why I wondered if it might be salvageable.

 

[FSP]

Smoke wouldn't bother me. If there's a hole in the container, I'd be looking up HDPE (I assume that's what it is made of) welders.

 

[reefbandit]

Smoke wouldn't bother me. If there's a hole in the container, I'd be looking up HDPE (I assume that's what it is made of) welders.

No hole in it I was just concerned wasn't sure if the metals could leach into to plastic or something crazy

 

[RedoubtReef]

Smoking . I haven't pulled it out yet but it looked damaged you could smell burnt electrical. It's a $300 mixing container that's why I wondered if it might be salvageable.

So the mixing container was smoking from the heater then? I'd say the container is probably fine if it holds water. The heater may be a different story.

 

[newreef1]

I forgot my my heater was left on in my mixing station when I did a waterchange. I came out and found it smoking in the garage. I dropped it in the couple gallons of water left to cool it down. Is the mixing container still usable? Should fill and run carbon to remove any contaminants prior to mixing a new batch?

I’d also take a close look at the heater once it’s cooled down. I once had a heater that was switched on accidentally, I noticed after a few minutes and put it in a water bucket but the sudden hot to cold caused the glass to crack. Just make sure there’s no cracks on your heater. Also I’d just get a new bucket, in the long run the cost of the bucket seems cheaper than if you go through the hassle of making more water, the salt and then finding out it’s no good. You could still use the bucket to store extra goods, like cleaned buckets etc.

 

[mdb_talon]

Just me...but I would empty the water and just fill it back up again without a second thought about it.

 

[bblumberg]

I had something similar happen. I forgot that my heater was on in the mixing barrel and it had a smoky meltdown when I was doing a water change and the water level in the barrel left the heater uncovered. The heater was a Finnex titanium 800 watt heater. Only the plastic sleeve melted and then only partially. I dumped the few gallons left, verified that the heater body was undamaged and it has continued to work for 6 months since.

 

[Create New]

It's hard to watch your Heater smoke when you know it’s damaging their health.
However, smokers need to decide to quit because they realise it will benefit them, not because someone else wants them to.
They might stop smoking for your sake, but they won't stay smoke-free unless they're doing it for themselves.
You should show that you care.
Don't nag but encourage them to quit smoking, be tactful when pointing out the benefits of not smoking and offer your support.

I wish you and your Heater all the best!