Exploding heater

[triscuit]

So, I get a phone call while getting my hair cut this morning- one of my tanks is smoking and that the whole house smells of sulfur. :flame: I told my partner to unplug everything and I raced home. Here's what I found:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/2triscuit/2010/heater.jpg

Apparently it made quite a bit of noise when the heater popped, and the smoke was probably some type of escaping gas. I pulled the heater as soon as i got home, and did an 80% water change. Does anybody know if I need to worry about what was released in the tank? Is another WC on the menu for tomorrow? So far the fish are looking/acting normal...

And, FYI- I knew the heater had kicked last week but hadn't unplugged it. If I had been using my brain, I would have pulled it once I saw it was not working.

[emartin]

I'd add carbon and maybe do an extra small water change tonight if possible just in case.

I'd also take that to an LFS or Call up Marineland, they are supposed to be guaranteed for life and an instance like that they better replace it.

[fischfan13]

I'd add carbon and maybe do an extra small water change tonight if possible just in case.

I'd also take that to an LFS or Call up Marineland, they are supposed to be guaranteed for life and an instance like that they better replace it.

+1

[Cartel]

Not an uncommon problem I know at least 2 friends who have had them literally burnout while I have had one crap out. Marineland is pretty good about replacing them.

[emartin]

I personally think quality has gone downhill since Marineland bought out Visitherm...

[Lib95]

Was it the stealth or the newer stealth pro? People seem to have more problems with the newer version which is now made in China I think

[BlondeFishGal]

Oh yuck, Mel what a mess!

Glad your fish are okay! I'm with Ed on the carbon and extra water change.

[triscuit]

24 hours later- one more water change and no fish deaths (please don't jinx me!). I didn't have carbon so let's hope that between the WCs and degassing, that there's nothing left to harm the fish.

The heater says "Made in Italy" and nothing about Marineland. I don't know how old it actually is- but it looks like a split might have developed a while ago. That white stuff looks like a hard water deposit. I'm tempted to tear the thing apart and look inside? Anybody else interested?

[minifoot77]

def call marineland they will replace it :)

[triscuit]

It happened again! :mad2: This time it was a 50W secondary heater on a tank near a window.

Everything was fine yesterday, and this morning I found a dead cyp. I looked him over- not a scratch on the poor bugger, checked the tank, and the other fish were hiding. Sure enough- the Marineland Stealth (old style, not Pro) had popped just like the last one. I think that the calcification happens when water hits the interior components.

So- yes, I will be contacting the company and hopefully just getting some money back. I'm not sure I want another heater from Marineland. :frustya:

[Shellies215]

I've switched to fluval M - series heaters, I know of several others that have as well, they seem to be good so far.

[fishfreak69]

Ebo Jagr heaters are some great heaters IMO.... I use to use those "titanium" heaters from Kens fish, they worked pretty good but 2 years later ALL titanium sticks I had (roughly 18 of them) all were DEAD... I was PISSED and after that I switched over to Ebo as I purchased them from Jehmco....