OOPS! Heater error!

[pkremer]

Oh no! I did a stupid stupid thing. I bought a new decoration and I was trying to rearrange everything, and I needed the heater out of the way for just a few seconds, so I pulled it out and laid it on the top of the Penguin 330 filter while I moved the decorations. I swear not more than 20 seconds later, it started making a noise. I panicked and put it back in the water, realizing I had forgotten to unplug it and POW!!! the end of it blew off, and the whole thing start to hiss, fizz, and smoke!

I unplugged it and took it outside. I'm sure it's pretty much fried. I didn't realize it would cause such a problem for it to be out of the water for 20 seconds...

I don't have a choice at this point as all the LFS's in town are closed (10:30pm), but I am worried about the temp drop overnight. I will buy a new one at 10:00 am tomorrow, but until then, there's no heater. My tank was at 79 degrees, room temp probably 70. Will my fish be OK? It's kind of a moot point, as I mentioned, since there are no options until the LFS opens tomorrow, but I am concerned.

 

[Keeper]

it is always ideal to keep the fish at the "happy" temperature. If you want, you can leave your lights on during the night(if they give off heat) to try and keep the temp in the tank up. If not, it is a wait and see game....hope everything goes well. Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[revhtree]

If you can stand it, I would keep the room temp up as much as possible.

 

[flipz]

Did the glass itself bust, or just inside the heater? Hopefully the glass didn't bust or you may be in for some other problems. Other than that, there really isn't much you can do. It really is just wait and see. If you have a good wattage of lights then leaving them on may help to keep it warm. Good luck!

-brent

PS - If it's a very small tank you can try putting a heating pad under it. But based on your penguin 330 im going to guess it's a 30g or so.

 

[pkremer]

It is a 38 gallon, and yes, unfortunately the end of it blew off. It isn't glass, it is plastic, and I found the piece and pulled it out. So far, the fish aren't showing any ill effects. I'm hoping being a few degrees below ideal for less than 12 hours won't hurt them, but I'll have to wait and see.

Paul

 

[Bearfan]

As long as the temp of the room is 70ish, you should be fine until...well...this morning...right now...

 

[bunebop]

hahahaha. I know it's not funny... but I did that like 2 days ago! Luckily it wasn't in their tank. I was changing the water and moving the tank so I had the water in a buncha containers so I could move the tank... heater was out for a few seconds... put it in water... and BAM! lol I was so mad at myself. Luckily we have like 24 hr Meijers here so I was able to run up there and get another. It was the stupidest thing ever. But at least I didn't do it in the water w/ the fish still in it. haha. Your fish shoulda been fine overnight, esp. w/ the room temp being 70.

After I blew up the one heater I had many problems w/ the other one I got... the first night it didn't turn on at all.. so I woke up and the tank temperature was about 65... and then I turned it up to where the other was set figured since it's the same brand and make of heater it would be cool... and then the next morning it was at 86 degrees. So I turned it down and it's finally at 76, right about where it usually is. My fish luckily lived through all this... although I'm sure they now hate me.

Good luck w/ your fish! Hopefully they were ok.

 

[snapcrackler]

LOL I have done that too!

kapow! 8O

 

[pkremer]

Well, here's the update I'm sure everyone wants...or not...hehe!

Thanks for the help! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has made this mistake. Believe me, it will not happen again. 8O

I left the lights on overnight. I have no clue what their wattage is or if they helped heat the tank at all, but I figured it couldn't hurt.

I drove to my LFS right away when it opened, and when I told the owner what had happened, he just gave me this knowing smile. Apparently, this isn't terribly uncommon for a newbie. I purchased the same make and model (MarineLand 200 watt Visitherm), and took it home, acclimated it for 15 minutes, set it to 73 degrees (just in case it had dropped lower than that, didn't want them to lose 10 degrees 1 day, and gain it all back the next), and plugged it in. Sure enough, the heating light lit up and has been on for the last 10 minutes, so I'm sure it dropped below 73. Tonight before bed, I'll put it up to 75, and then over the next 2 days get it back to 79.

Roll call was complete this morning, I found them all alive and well, although (maybe this is my imagination) I could swear their little mouths were saying, "BRRRRRR!"

Thanks!
Paul

 

[Keeper]

It's nice to hear that all fish are accounted for. I'm glad everything worked out for you!

 

[oscarbreeder]

Yeah thats not an uncommon mistake I have done that myslef... .
Glad all your fish are ok.

 

[fearlessfisch]

I just did this two days ago....and it's the third time I've done it since I started keeping fish. At this point I figure I need a little sign on the back of the tank reminding me to unplug it during water changes.

Glad your fish are okay. Nice to know others do this too.