Oops... What to do?? (Forgot to unplug my heater)

[BettaFishGirl]

I once did that with my heater. I just let it cool down out of water, then when I put it back in it worked fine and has been for 6 months.

 

[jaylach]

As long as the glass didn't crack, it will be fine. Just let it cool down and then use it.

That is my main concern. The glass is most likely tempered and thermal fractures can be invisible to the eye. If the thing had been left alone to cool I would consider using but not with water tossed on it to where it sizzled. Just my opinion but, with what a heater costs, I would not trust it. It may be fine but I'd be always worrying.

 

[Rocky998]

That is my main concern. The glass is most likely tempered and thermal fractures can be invisible to the eye. If the thing had been left alone to cool I would consider using but not with water tossed on it to where it sizzled. Just my opinion but, with what a heater costs, I would not trust it. It may be fine but I'd be always worrying.

I did that to see how hot it was and see if I could touch it... It sizzled so I immediately unplugged and didn't touch it...
Again, I can put it into my 10g with no fish to test it and see how it goes...

 

[BettaFishGirl]

I did that to see how hot it was and see if I could touch it... It sizzled so I immediately unplugged and didn't touch it...
Again, I can put it into my 10g with no fish to test it and see how it goes...

The same sizzling thing happened to me and it's been fine.. But, if would probably be smart to test first.

 

[jaylach]

I did that to see how hot it was and see if I could touch it... It sizzled so I immediately unplugged and didn't touch it...
Again, I can put it into my 10g with no fish to test it and see how it goes...

Rocky don't get me wrong as the heater is probably OK. I'm just saying from my view where I can go out and just buy a new heater without thinking about it which I know is not your situation.

Perhaps testing in an fish-less tank would be wise but just don't put your hand in the water with the thing plugged in. If you do this examine the heater's glass with as strong of a magnifying glass as possible looking for distortions and hairline cracks that you can't see with just your eyes.

Just for reference never put water on hot glass. Glass can actually take pretty high temperatures but suffers from being hot and then made cold such as you did by putting water on the hot heater glass. If you want to see what can happen to glass going from hot to cold put some glass marbles on a baking sheet and bake at 350-375 for 30-45 minutes. Remove from the oven and dump in a pan of cold water. The result is actually rather pretty and extreme as to the fractures that happen. It is really rather cool. If you try this wear goggles when you dump the hot marbles in water just to be safe. I've never seen one actually explode but one never knows.

 

[Rocky998]

Rocky don't get me wrong as the heater is probably OK. I'm just saying from my view where I can go out and just buy a new heater without thinking about it which I know is not your situation.

Perhaps testing in an fish-less tank would be wise but just don't put your hand in the water with the thing plugged in. If you do this examine the heater's glass with as strong of a magnifying glass as possible looking for distortions and hairline cracks that you can't see with just your eyes.

Just for reference never put water on hot glass. Glass can actually take pretty high temperatures but suffers from being hot and then made cold such as you did by putting water on the hot heater glass. If you want to see what can happen to glass going from hot to cold put some glass marbles on a baking sheet and bake at 350-375 for 30-45 minutes. Remove from the oven and dump in a pan of cold water. The result is actually rather pretty and extreme as to the fractures that happen. It is really rather cool. If you try this wear goggles when you dump the hot marbles in water just to be safe. I've never seen one actually explode but one never knows.

Yah, I know glass can crack and stuff from large temp shifts... I was really worried when putting water onto the heater but I'd rather that get damaged than my hand from grabbing it lol.

Im going to test it and see how it goes... Hopefully its all good and I think it will be.
I'll do as you say and use a strong magnifying glass to see if I can see any small cracks...
Thank you for your help!!

 

[jaylach]

Good luck. Sorry if I've come across as over cautious but I'm come to sort of like you and don't want to see you hurt yourself.

One thing to look for is small bubbles coming off the heater when testing. If the bubbles last longer than a day or so. Such bubbles may indicate air going through glass fractures you can't see.

Assuming that you are going to use the heater be careful! If suddenly a lot of fish die do NOT reach in the tank to remove without unplugging the heater as the deaths could be due to leakage in the heater glass causing electrocution of the fish. While not likely if such were to happen use a rubber glove when unplugging the heater to keep you from becoming a source of ground.

Ya, I'm paranoid on this but I've both seen and experienced what electricity can do.

 

[Rocky998]

Good luck. Sorry if I've come across as over cautious but I'm come to sort of like you and don't want to see you hurt yourself.

One thing to look for is small bubbles coming off the heater when testing. If the bubbles last longer than a day or so. Such bubbles may indicate air going through glass fractures you can't see.

Assuming that you are going to use the heater be careful! If suddenly a lot of fish die do NOT reach in the tank to remove without unplugging the heater as the deaths could be due to leakage in the heater glass causing electrocution of the fish. While not likely if such were to happen use a rubber glove when unplugging the heater to keep you from becoming a source of ground.

Ya, I'm paranoid on this but I've both seen and experienced what electricity can do.

I will definitely take precautions. I have rubber gloves I sometimes use for tank maintenance, and will keep an eye out for bubbles!

Don't apologize for being safe though! I appreciate the concern and will be cautious.

 

[Back in the fold]

One thing is sure . You will never do that again .

 

[Rocky998]

One thing is sure . You will never do that again .

Idk... Never say never

 

[Back in the fold]

Idk... Never say never

This is one case when you can say never . I did something similar with a heater over fifty years ago and I’ve never forgotten it . I ALWAYS unplug the heaters first on water change day . You’ll see . Let’s talk about this again in 2073 . Course you’ll have to conjure me up in a seance but so what .

 

[sharkweek178]

My own personal rule of thumb is to unplug the heater 15 minutes before a water change. That way it has time to cool off before being taken out of the water.

 

[jaylach]

My own personal rule of thumb is to unplug the heater 15 minutes before a water change. That way it has time to cool off before being taken out of the water.

My personal rule with heaters is to mount horizontal low in the tank. Serves two purposes.

1) Don't need to worry during water changes as the heater is never above the water level. The only thing I bother to unplug is the pump for the built in sponge filter to prevent it from running dry.

2) Heat rises. The warmer water around the heater will form a bit of a convection causing more even and quicker heat dispersion. You just don't get as much convection if the heater is vertical or high in the tank.