IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL: HEATERS from PetSmart

[HarleyK]

Dear All,

please click this --> link to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission <--, check if your PetSmart heater is affected, and take it out of commission immediately.



Hazard:

The heaters are insufficiently grounded, posing a risk of electrical shock to the consumer.


Description

This recall involves all 50-, 100-, 150-, 200- and 250-watt Top Fin brand plastic aquarium heaters. The heaters are black cylinders about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about 13 inches tall2.5 in L x 1.9 in W x 13.5 in H. Recalled heaters have model number HT50, HT100, HT150, HT200 or HT250. Lot numbers for the recalled heaters are 1839, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908 and 1910. "Top Fin," "Premium Aquarium Heater," the model number and the heater's wattage are printed on the side of the heater near the top. Below that, the lot number is printed beneath the words "Made in China."

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the heater, unplug it, remove it from the aquarium and return it to any PetSmart store for a full refund.

 

[Pharaoh]

BUMP

 

[Gill Blue]

glad I bought the mirror version.

 

[Redearsunfish]

Good tip.

 

[screaminleeman]

Dear All,

please click this --> link to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission <--, check if your PetSmart heater is affected, and take it out of commission immediately.



Hazard:

The heaters are insufficiently grounded, posing a risk of electrical shock to the consumer.


Description

This recall involves all 50-, 100-, 150-, 200- and 250-watt Top Fin brand plastic aquarium heaters. The heaters are black cylinders about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about 13 inches tall2.5 in L x 1.9 in W x 13.5 in H. Recalled heaters have model number HT50, HT100, HT150, HT200 or HT250. Lot numbers for the recalled heaters are 1839, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908 and 1910. "Top Fin," "Premium Aquarium Heater," the model number and the heater's wattage are printed on the side of the heater near the top. Below that, the lot number is printed beneath the words "Made in China."

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the heater, unplug it, remove it from the aquarium and return it to any PetSmart store for a full refund.

View attachment 1036534

What is the "magnitude" of the shock.

This is a little embarrassing, but I thought that all heaters regardless of brand always put stray electrical current throughout your aquarium. I have roughly thirty tanks and have used any old heater at the time. I have yet to ever find a single one in a dozen companies and even more models by far!

The range from barely noticeable to very slightly uncomfortable.

In comparison, I had my hand in a 20G long doing maintenance that I had a 100W glass heater in it. My arm hit the glass lid knocking it into the tank and shattering the heater with my hand in the tank. That shock actually had the force to move the mass of my body.

 

[HarleyK]

You should not get shocked when you reach into your tank with an intact heater (or anything else).
I run Jäger exclusively, and I've never felt even a weak zip.
Either way, a grounding probe is always a worthy investment


But to get back to this recall: anyone affected?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[HarleyK]

Nobody here's got a PetSmart Topfin heater?

Glad to hear everyone is safe


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[screaminleeman]

Nobody here's got a PetSmart Topfin heater?

Glad to hear everyone is safe


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

I have some. They are no worse than any other heater that I have.