Heaters and crashes?

[kris2001]

My last crash could've been a heater cracking issue since i found one of the 8 heaters i have cracked from inside out with a hole in it. Trashed the heater. I used 5 small heaters in my 90g....

So is it best to replace heaters every year? Or risk it and keep them running
And waste money in dead livestock later after a malfunction or explosion?

Wish i could diy a strong heat conductive outside sheath in every heater that's water proof!

What do ya'll think??!

Is titanium heater the only safest ones that's cracking proof or explosion proof?

 

[saltyhog]

I have actually had a titanium one crack but have not had a glass one crack.....go figure. I try to replace mine every 18 months but honestly I forget to sometimes.

The bigger issue I've had is with heaters failing in the "on" position. That's happened twice and I've had one instance when a heater failed in the "off" position. Thankfully my Apex saved me in the former and my practice of using multiple smaller heaters rather than one large prevented problems with the latter. I've programmed my heater outlets to turn off if tank temp is above 80 F.

 

[CavalierReef]

This is a timely subject for me as I'm researching heaters for a new tank build. I have yet to find a heater with a "5 star" rating and most of the failures were in the on position and I don't have an Apex to save me. I plan on redundancy but I'm still on the fence whether to buy less expensive heaters and replace them annually as a matter of course or go more expensive and expect (hope for) a couple of years service. Frankly, I've never had a glass heater crack either.

 

[WVNed]

If you put your heaters on a controller it doesn't matter if they stick on.
Always replace them when you see moisture (fogging or droplets) inside.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I run my heater off my chiller controller. I never take it out of the water for longer than it takes to clean it. If they are left out the rubber can dry & then leak water into the unit.
Next winter I will run two heaters as a safety measure, but I wouldn't replace them every year when they are still working fine & in good condition. I reckon just place them somewhere & try not to disturb them (or the cord) unless absolutely necessary.