Tank breakage and fire

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S

SteveR

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2008
1,359
10
38
Scotland
With all these "my tank failed threads" floating about, it's got me thinking.

I have a 50 UK gallon (that's 75 US to you lot) with an FX5 filter on it. Say the worst happened and the tank failed (hope not as it's only 3 years old), would the Fx5 know to cut out? Eg the water level would be non-existant and the filter would eventually be running on air - could the thing not catch fire with that motor spinning? Been thinking about this as I go on holiday for 2 weeks etc every year like most people and if that did happen I wouldnt want the house to go up in flames. Anyone with experience? Do manufacturers consider tank failage when designing a filter like this - it must have happened to someone who's tank failed?
 
I dont really know for sure, but I would think filters are Ok, maybe only generic ones could cause something like that. I dont know for sure, but I'd like to know as well.
 
im curious too. Im pretty sure it would keep running though, i know my ac110 wouls. I dont know if it would catch fire but the motor would at least heat up and seize. Now for your FX5, if water gets in it and it shorts out it should (A) if its in a surge protector it should shut off as soon as it shorts, and (B) If its plugged into the wall, when it shorts it should throw the breaker for that socket and cut it off. Im no electrician and im not 100% sure on this, but thats the only logical thing i can come up with.
 
Thanx for that channel cat, you could be right.
I've read about manufacturers testing vacum cleaners. Leaving them on for 3-4 days solid and they catch fire etc due to the motor heat etc. I guess it may just throw the circuit breaker. Anyone else?
 
the motor would most likely heat up and seize before it caught fire when running dry. I think your biggest problem would be the 75 gallons of water all over the place!
 
I had a aquaball submersible filter that my turtle pushed out of the water and the casing kind of just melted around the impeller, although not a fx5 I'm pretty sure your alright.
 
cassharper;2306481; said:
the motor would most likely heat up and seize before it caught fire when running dry. I think your biggest problem would be the 75 gallons of water all over the place!
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:banher:


Oops, wrong smiley....





:iagree:
 
That's one of the reasons I have huge GFCI power strips under the tanks. Dang things are expensive but they detect the tiniest fault in current and will shut down everything.
Water and electricity don't mix well.
 
as long as the electricity works normal in your house, the circuit should trip before any chance of a fire.

i had a pacu destroy a heater and it had apparently began melt good and something go wrong, and the breaker had tripped.

you may end up losing all your fish god forbid the breaker did trip due to any bad incidents, but atleast you would still have your house.
 
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