Melted heater guard

[daiwxmfc]

Advice please. 5 weeks in to cycling my Reefer 170 and I get home from a night shift to the smell of burnt plastic.
My Tunze Osmolator top up float switch had been dislodged so didn’t kick in allowing water level to drop in my sump causing the heater to melt its plastic guard.
I can still smell burnt plastic 12 hours after removing the heater.
Should I empty the tank and start again or can I get away with a 100% water change?
I’m concerned that the melted plastic has contaminated the rock and substrate.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I wouldn't do a 100% water change, but a large water change of 40%-50%. Run some GAC (granular activated carbon) and if you can get a Poly filter.

Poly Filter Aquarium Filter

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[Redfoxtang]

+1 on above. I would also move your heater to a section in the sump where the water level doesn’t get low.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Def put the heater in the NON-return section of the sump so that can't happen again. 50% water change and carbon sounds like good advice