ONO! I did PWC and forgot to turn my heater off!! - Aquarium Advice

MickieFish · 03-21-2006, 10:42 AM

I did a 25% water change last night, and forgot to turn my heater off!!! It is up near the water line, so I don't have to get wet when I wanna adjust it. So far the tank is still holding at 78 degrees (what it is set on). How can I tell if it's broken? It never feels warm to me when I touch it, so that won't work, unless there is a certain place on the heater that feels warm? I have a glass heater made by whisper I got at Wal Mart. Thanks!

**QTOFFER** · 03-21-2006, 10:51 AM

Inspect the glass for cracks and water inside- that's usually what happens when a glass heater is on while it's outside the water.

MiamiFishy · 03-21-2006, 11:00 AM

I got a sumersible heater from Petsmart, a small one for my fry tank, in the instructions it recommends to turn it off, and add the water at least 15 afterwards. I did a couple of water changes with out turning it off, and the worst that can happen is that it will still heat up the water, but it might over heated ({in my case : ( }, but that again, was because I did it a few times not to mention, probably my mother disconnecting the heater with out realizing it and reconnecting right away...

My advice, is just keep an eye on the heater and the water temp. Use a good floating thermometer or a glass one, the sticky to me are not that good.

Good luck.

03-21-2006, 11:03 AM

If it's broke and waters getting into it. You'll will know trust me. Your fish will start getting a shock treatment and if you stick your hand in the water. YOur going to know fast if it's cracked and is getting water to the inside of it.

malkore · 03-21-2006, 11:19 AM

what brand heater?

many higher quality heaters will shut themselves off before they get hot enough to break or cook their thermostats.

tropicfishman · 03-21-2006, 05:01 PM

turn the heater up and see if the orange light clicks on on the body of the heater ( part in the tank ) I have the same heater, its a pretty durable heater actually, i've dropped it, forgot to unplug, hit with things and it still works and looks brand new lol

MickieFish · 03-21-2006, 05:18 PM

Thanks guys! I stuck my hand in the water and didn't get a shock, and the temp is still holding at 78.. so I think I'm ok!!

mr funktastic · 03-21-2006, 07:22 PM

lol i have never turned off the heater but i have always had good heaters like marineland so maybe they have the shutoff. how can u tell?

lovemybarbs · 03-21-2006, 07:46 PM

Well that's good you didn't get shocked.

I'm picturing this and you're cracking me up. I have mine all plugged into one extension cord so I can unplug the entire system when I clean.

MickieFish · 03-21-2006, 08:55 PM

BZZZZ!! Guess that was kinda stupid, huh? My heater is a whisper 100W from wal mart.. I really don't like it, I'd rather have one with the controls on the outside of the tank.. I will upgrade soon, I think!

03-21-2006, 10:42 AM	#1
MickieFish Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 64	ONO! I did PWC and forgot to turn my heater off!! I did a 25% water change last night, and forgot to turn my heater off!!! It is up near the water line, so I don't have to get wet when I wanna adjust it. So far the tank is still holding at 78 degrees (what it is set on). How can I tell if it's broken? It never feels warm to me when I touch it, so that won't work, unless there is a certain place on the heater that feels warm? I have a glass heater made by whisper I got at Wal Mart. Thanks!

03-21-2006, 11:00 AM	#3
MiamiFishy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 120 Images: 9	I got a sumersible heater from Petsmart, a small one for my fry tank, in the instructions it recommends to turn it off, and add the water at least 15 afterwards. I did a couple of water changes with out turning it off, and the worst that can happen is that it will still heat up the water, but it might over heated ({in my case : ( }, but that again, was because I did it a few times not to mention, probably my mother disconnecting the heater with out realizing it and reconnecting right away... My advice, is just keep an eye on the heater and the water temp. Use a good floating thermometer or a glass one, the sticky to me are not that good. Good luck. __________________ **** it! Give me Full Power, All ENGINES FULL SPEED AHEAD!!! BATTLE STATION, RAISE THE MAIN GUNS! Lets have some fun boys, time to test our metal!

03-21-2006, 11:19 AM	#5
malkore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nebraska, USA Posts: 6,540	what brand heater? many higher quality heaters will shut themselves off before they get hot enough to break or cook their thermostats. __________________ Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved My other passion: TheNinja 500R - updated 9/18/05

03-21-2006, 05:01 PM	#6
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	turn the heater up and see if the orange light clicks on on the body of the heater ( part in the tank ) I have the same heater, its a pretty durable heater actually, i've dropped it, forgot to unplug, hit with things and it still works and looks brand new lol __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

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03-21-2006, 10:51 AM	#2
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	Inspect the glass for cracks and water inside- that's usually what happens when a glass heater is on while it's outside the water.

03-21-2006, 11:03 AM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	If it's broke and waters getting into it. You'll will know trust me. Your fish will start getting a shock treatment and if you stick your hand in the water. YOur going to know fast if it's cracked and is getting water to the inside of it.

03-21-2006, 05:18 PM	#7
MickieFish Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 64	Thanks guys! I stuck my hand in the water and didn't get a shock, and the temp is still holding at 78.. so I think I'm ok!!

03-21-2006, 07:22 PM	#8
mr funktastic Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: alliston, ON Posts: 2,220 Images: 17	lol i have never turned off the heater but i have always had good heaters like marineland so maybe they have the shutoff. how can u tell?

03-21-2006, 07:46 PM	#9
lovemybarbs Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 856 Images: 5	Well that's good you didn't get shocked. I'm picturing this and you're cracking me up. I have mine all plugged into one extension cord so I can unplug the entire system when I clean.

03-21-2006, 08:55 PM	#10
MickieFish Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 64	BZZZZ!! Guess that was kinda stupid, huh? My heater is a whisper 100W from wal mart.. I really don't like it, I'd rather have one with the controls on the outside of the tank.. I will upgrade soon, I think!

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