Quick Help Please!

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pwmin

pwmin

Giant Snakehead
MFK Member
Nov 26, 2007
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CO via PA
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I did a quick search and came up with nothing. I'm sure it's out there, but this is kind of an emergency. I heard a little pop last night and thought a fish jumped out or something, so I looked w/ my flashlight quick and didn't notice anything, so I went back to bed. I just got up and saw a piece of glass in the bottom of my tank from my old heater. Everything was fine in the tank, but when I removed the piece and the heater, some dark brown water came out and it's turned the water in the tank a brownish color.

What happens when a heater breaks? Is there a water quality issue I should be concerned about? The water didn't overheat, I'm just worried it will kill my fish or make them sick.
 
It is corrosion from the heater element. A water change wouldn't hurt, but it should clear up quickly.
 
ok, good. thanks. i've never had a heater break, so i didn't know the drill. I had done a water change earlier, but just a small one and had the heater unplugged and I don't think it even went below the minimum suggested water level for the heater. I think it just broke because it was old, but my jar could've had a fit and bumped into it...IDK. It's Rena SmartCal 200W that I've had for at least 5 years. Luckily, it didn't get stuck on and get the water really hot. I have a backup 250W Stealth in there already and am going to get another one today.
 
yeah, all mine except 2 old ones that are left are either stealths or smartheaters (I like using them for the inlets with my XP3 canisters) and I just recently made sure I have 2 heaters per tank. it makes me really nervous about the other 2 I have, but they are in the same tank w/ 1 as a backup. I may have to replace those, too.
 
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