My Heater - Starts Smoking - Goes Bang! Why?!

[EX1EY]

Finally got my tank cleaned, filled up, new filter set up and running. Lovely job.

Next, I switched the heater on and put it in, about 5 minutes later it starts making a crazy noise and then does a mini explosion and starts smoking! I pulled it out and the bottom end has literally blown off What would cause this to happen?

I've had this tank two weeks now and its been one thing after another. First I discover half the filter is missing, now the heater blows up. All I want, are some nice fish, in a nice setup!! Its driving me mad. That will teach me to buy second hand again!

Can anybody reccomend a decent heater that will do for a 120L tank?

Cheers

 

[CezzaXV]

You ideally want at least 1W per litre, so go for a 150W heater. Sounds like you got a bad heater - try to go for a decent brand in the future.

 

[guppi]

I would say the thermostat was faulty and didn't turn it off so it would of over heated and crack the glass tube. Most heater and quite good now a days
I use interpet my self and had no problems, just need to pick the right wattage for your tank, also its best to have 2 just in case one fails.

 

[fluttermoth]

You should never switch heaters on until they're underwater; I expect it overheated.

 

[KittyKat]

Next, I switched the heater on and put it in, about 5 minutes later it starts making a crazy noise and then does a mini explosion and starts smoking! I pulled it out and the bottom end has literally blown off What would cause this to happen?

This will happen if you put a hot heater into cold water. It *might* also happen if the heater is badly sealed and water gets in.

Can anybody reccomend a decent heater that will do for a 120L tank?

Visitherm are good glass heaters, NeWatt are good poly*somethingorother*: if you don't want to see another cracked heater, go for a NeWatt. 125 watts would be ideal if your house does not get colder than 16 C, 150 watts would be better if it does, assuming you're heating the water to around 22-23 C for a normal tropical community.

 

[Tizer]

I buy the Interpet ones. Not had one pop on me yet.

 

[fishprotector]

I have several Interpet ones and they have always been good (apart from the odd bit of condensation). I recently bought one of the Fluval E series for my large tank and that has been very good. They have a plastic guard case and a digital display which changes colour when the temp is outside of limits. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You should never switch heaters on until they're underwater; I expect it overheated.

This.

The heater started to heat up as soon as it was turned on. Then, when placed in water the hot glass (only part of the glass was hot because it is not designed to be on out of water, because the water diffuses the heat more evenly) quickly cooled because of the water and the difference in temp caused a fracture in the glass.

 

[always4lora]

You should never switch heaters on until they're underwater; I expect it overheated.

This.

The heater started to heat up as soon as it was turned on. Then, when placed in water the hot glass (only part of the glass was hot because it is not designed to be on out of water, because the water diffuses the heat more evenly) quickly cooled because of the water and the difference in temp caused a fracture in the glass.

Agree on this, kinda of common sense i guess

I use Rena Smart heaters as they're pretty indestructible, remember to get 2 heaters, relying on one is rather risky.

 

[EX1EY]

All makes perfect sense. Im a dufus i didnt even think about that.

thanks for the replies, time to order a heater!

 

[fluttermoth]

We all do these things from time to time! I've blown a heater forgetting to switch it off before doing a large water change

 

[Rillo Boy]

We all do these things from time to time! I've blown a heater forgetting to switch it off before doing a large water change

Secret to avoiding this is to have the heater and filter plugged into a double lead socket, so once the filter plug is unplugged the heater comes off too....
I have 2 heaters on my 500 ltr tank, a 500w in the tank and a 300w inline...they are both connected to a STC1000....so double sure all the time

 

[creeker]

We all do these things from time to time! I've blown a heater forgetting to switch it off before doing a large water change

I've done this a few times over the years.