Exploding heaters!

[plaalye]

Have a look at this thread on another forum, scary! I've had good luck with the old style stealth heaters and had just bought a new "stealth pro" when I found this. It's going back!
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equip ... eater.html

[Graeme Robson]

Oh Dear!!

[glenna]

yikes!!!!
I though they were SAFER than the glass ones and have a stealth in all my tanks....
I really do not think I can take another tank disaster this year!!!!

SO WHAT are you going to use for your next heater??!!!

[plaalye]

^ Not sure Glenna? I'll have to do some research. Ebo jaeger seems to be popular too.

[Lance-Hardwood]

I was debating whether to get stealth heater since it was cheaper than the Rena smartheater by $10. Good thing I chose the Rena smartheater instead of this one...

[glenna]

what do you think about the Via Aqua titanium or stainless steel heaters? I have a titanium one in my sump for my biggest tank which is a 125 gallon and it has worked well ( only had it since Feb 10, so who knows).

seems kind of like it CAN"T explode, but maybe it is still possible.
My biggest fear about heaters is that the thermostat breaks and it stays constantly on, cooking all of my beautiful fish!
of course now that we have raised the idea of exploding heaters shattering the side of your tank, well that is a whole new fear altogether!!!

[Bully]

If you want to stop the chance of overheating for certain, you could purchase a separate thermostat to control your heaters, something along the lines of the ATC-300, or ATC-800:

ATC-300A - eBay

[andyroo]

Move to the tropics.
Done.
:)

[plaalye]

Move to the tropics.
Done.

I intend to Andy, but it'll be a few years.

[floridamary4]

thanks for sharing all your views

[vealboy]

Ugh...I just read that whole thread on the planted tank site. I just installed a 200W Stealth Pro. Now I am concerned about melting and exploding.

I did notice the directions never say to install a new heater and allow it time to acclimate before powering on, and the directions never say to unplug the heater prior to a water change. Based on previous heater directions I did this, so I am hoping that I can avoid a heater failure and or tank explosion.

[Synodontis]

Hi all,

If you dont turn your heater off while doing water changes, and just refill your tank, check out the difference between a brand name heather and the cheap stuff. Sure glad you saved that $20-$50, even $10 on that heater when you have water all over the floor and fish going "What the?"


http://www.boroniaaquarium.com.au/video ... .php?id=32

[vealboy]

Nice video. The sticking point with the Marineland Stealth Pro heater is that it has an automatic shut off, so it should shut off if the water gets too low. The thread on the planted tank site shows this heater after it blows a hole in the side of the aquarium, which is a bigger deal that what the video you linked to shows.

The video you linked shows two heaters, the one on the left is apparently on and heated, so of course it explodes. The one on the right we assume is on and doesn't explode.