what happens if an aquarium heater is turned on out of water?

[Mystix212]

When I was dismantling my 18G, I had a 25 watt heater in there. I unplugged it, and proceeded to drain the water. After all the water was drained (10 minutes), the heater was still extremely hot. Even though it was unplugged and placed on a towel. It was winter anyway, but took about an hour or two for it to feel as if it didnt excrete any heat.

 

[Red_Terror_Lover]

Mine melted a bag that my new fish was in. Bye-bye yellow lab...

 

[davidefc]

I once let a heater run dry for 5 or so minutes, it got splashed by some cold water coming from the tap, and cracked instantly. We put all of our heaters on a switchable power bar by themselves so that when water changes come around a single flick of the switch turns off all our heaters and there are no problems.

same happened to me about the cold water on the heater. luckly my uncle gave me a old spare one the day before

 

[ewurm]

If you turn the heater on outside of the tank, you fail.

 

[Snake_Eyes]

Gotta love the stealth auto shut off.

 

[Onion01]

If you turn the heater on outside of the tank, you fail.

 

[Nabbig2]

Crud, I didn't know about this! I have turned heaters on out of the water....well, know I know not to.

 

[Onion01]

I had no idea either. Good thing we learned

 

[Onion01]

900!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Onion01]

Except I am still a pacu