Heater EXPLOSION!!

rbtek1 · Dec 10, 2013

Hi everyone,
I've had an AquaEuro28 for about 3 years now and feel like the tank was finally maturing to how I'd like it. Corals were growing, fish were healthy etc. Living in Los Angeles I only use a heater during the winter months. Yesterday I decided to plug mine in. I left for work and got a call from my wife 10 minutes later saying that there was an explosion from the tank and water was everywhere. I rushed home to find only 3 inches of water was left in the tank and it stayed that way for 2 hours. The explosion blew a hole about 4" in diameter through the back glass. I'm glass wifey stayed home from work yesterday, something really bad could have happened. I always wanted to upgrade my tank, but not like this LOL. Picked up a Nuvo Micro30. So far only one casualty. The corals and other fish seem to be fine. A little holiday stress hahaha!

Happy Holidays All!!
Rich

The new tank!!

reefes pieces · Dec 10, 2013

That sucks! What brand heater was it? BTW glad you got your upgrade! Looks very nice!

rbtek1 · Dec 10, 2013

reefes pieces said:
That sucks! What brand heater was it? BTW glad you got your upgrade! Looks very nice!

Thanks! I can't wait to reshape the rock. I have no idea what brand it was or I would have warned everyone. I think it was a cheap one. I didn't buy cheap this time.

pgr11 · Dec 10, 2013

Wow that sucks, but glad it turned out ok

standaman4 · Dec 10, 2013

Thats crazy... Glad almost everything made it though. I have a nuvo 38 and love it. The new tank looks great.

Reefomeez · Dec 10, 2013

Holy crap! So glad it didn't amount to more than some cleanup and an upgrade.

Goober · Dec 10, 2013

That's crazy glad things worked out for the better

newe70 · Dec 10, 2013

I would normal acclimate any new heater for about 30 minutes prior powering on to prevent it from pop. Sorry to hear what happened.

Rrocky · Dec 10, 2013

Crazy! Did you let the heater sit in the water first before plugging it in? Nice upgrade tho!

rbtek1 · Dec 10, 2013

Rrocky said:
Crazy! Did you let the heater sit in the water first before plugging it in? Nice upgrade tho!

I actually never took the heater out of the tank from when I used it last year, just unplugged it. I'm sure the plastic was eaten up by the salt. I never took it out to check it, just plugged it in. My mistake.

reefes pieces · Dec 10, 2013

plastic? Any recollection of it being an older marineland heater? There was a recall awhile back due to them "exploding"

rbtek1 said:
I actually never took the heater out of the tank from when I used it last year, just unplugged it. I'm sure the plastic was eaten up by the salt. I never took it out to check it, just plugged it in. My mistake.

reefes pieces · Dec 10, 2013

Here's the article
http://reefbuilders.com/2011/04/25/marineland-stealth-pro-aquarium-heaters-recall/

lowbudget · Dec 10, 2013

reefes pieces said:
Here's the article
http://reefbuilders.com/2011/04/25/marineland-stealth-pro-aquarium-heaters-recall/

i swear i gave one to esteban. homie hook up.

wickedfish · Dec 10, 2013

lowbudget said:
i swear i gave one to esteban. homie hook up.

I use it in my hot tub after work. But not to heat up the water.

rbtek1 · Dec 12, 2013

The new tank is looking good. I lost 2 fish and a few of my corals look like they've been through hell. Hope to do some cool upgrades to this tank. I'm still using my Aqua Euro nano skimmer and the stock Nuvo media baskets. I hope to upgrade those after the holidays and add the spin stream nozzle and the media reactor. Thanks everyone for your concern. Been a hell of a week working on this with a severe cold.

dbone · Dec 12, 2013

Do you get micro bubbles with the skimmer in the middle? I got ton and had to move it to the right chamber.

rbtek1 · Dec 12, 2013

dbone said:
Do you get micro bubbles with the skimmer in the middle? I got ton and had to move it to the right chamber.

I am planning on moving it as well. I do get micro bubbles. so annoying.

oredith · Dec 12, 2013

everytime i see this thread topic, i think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzc86ifgf-0

rbtek1 · Dec 12, 2013

dbone said:
Do you get micro bubbles with the skimmer in the middle? I got ton and had to move it to the right chamber.

I moved it, but now the micro bubbles collect and I get a burst of air through the main pump every 3-5 minutes. Does this happen to you?

rbtek1 · Dec 12, 2013

oredith said:
everytime i see this thread topic, i think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzc86ifgf-0

lmao!!