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Aquarist Forums => Equipment / DIY => Topic started by: darkdep on January 29, 2006, 10:00:35 PM

Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 29, 2006, 10:00:35 PM
I remember the thread about heaters being submersible or not, regardless of the manufacturer's sticker...having to do with CSA certification or something...

Today I discovered one of my heaters (a 100w Fluval Tronic) had water INSIDE it.  I somehow did a water change and didn't notice the level went above the "Max Water Line".  The water inside was boiling :)

When you "submerse" a heater...is it supposed to remain watertight?  I unplugged and removed the heater out of uncertainty...
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: Mettle on January 29, 2006, 10:04:32 PM
All my Fluval Tronics are fully submersed and I've never had an issue.
Title: Heaters
Post by: james on January 29, 2006, 10:22:03 PM
Hi
I've always make sure all the heaters I used are above the line. or plastic top. Submergable or not. By doing this I have never had a problem. The heater you have can still be salvaged.  Wait and let the water dry out insde . (it may take a while). And use it keeping the top above water level.

James 8)
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: FishBuddy on January 30, 2006, 12:28:32 PM
darkdep, it was me that asked the original question of whether my heater is submersible or not....  General consensus said "yes, it is submersible"....  I have a Jager 250W.....
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 30, 2006, 01:00:18 PM
For those that DO submerse your heaters tho...does water get INSIDE the glass for you?  That's more what I'm concerned about...
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: Mettle on January 30, 2006, 01:03:51 PM
Nope. Never seen that issue.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: FishBuddy on January 30, 2006, 02:55:45 PM
Well, I had my Jager 250w completely underwater for over a month now, no issues.....
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 30, 2006, 03:35:57 PM
fishbuddy:  But do you have water INSIDE the glass of the heater?
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 30, 2006, 03:48:01 PM
Darkdep, if you have water inside your heater, the seal is broken.  They are fully submersible.  If it's still under warranty, bring it back and the store should give you a new one.  I've seen this happen before, not that it's a common occurence, but I'd get it taken care of ASAP to prevent shocks, or damage to the heater (which could cause fluctuations, etc)
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 30, 2006, 04:20:52 PM
Ok, thanks Squeeker.  I can't remember where it was purchased anymore or really how old it is (I have too many tanks to remember that stuff anymore).  Do you think I could dry it out and silicone around the glass/plastic to produce a new seal?
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 30, 2006, 04:24:10 PM
Honestly, I wouldn't.  I'd get a new one.  there's already water inside, that's gonna corrode the innards of the heater.  It could lead to the glass cracking, a short, dead fish... it's not worth it.  My $0.02.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: repeej on January 30, 2006, 04:34:33 PM
Just sell it on ebay.  :twisted:
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 30, 2006, 04:40:37 PM
Aiight.  In the bucket it goes.

Maybe I'll sell it at the giant auction.  I'll claim it's a liquid cooled heater.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 30, 2006, 04:47:27 PM
LOL!
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: mseguin on January 30, 2006, 05:04:05 PM
I've already come home from auctions with 3 non-working heaters. I've decided I'm only buying one in the pakcaging from now on.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 30, 2006, 05:06:33 PM
Yeah, but you didn't buy any water cooled ones.  That was your mistake.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: BigDaddy on January 30, 2006, 05:21:52 PM
See... now if you had bought a Visitherm or a Jager... you'd have a lifetime warranty or 3 year warranty against stuff like that.... both will accept any heater as long as the glass is in tact.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: FishBuddy on January 30, 2006, 05:39:22 PM
darkdep, I don't have any water inside my Jager...

mseguin, I agreed with you...  With parts like a heater, it's best just to pay a bit more upfront and get one you are confident with and has a new warranty....   At least you are covered for a while...
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: Mettle on January 30, 2006, 08:28:15 PM
Quote from: "BigDaddy"See... now if you had bought a Visitherm or a Jager... you'd have a lifetime warranty or 3 year warranty against stuff like that.... both will accept any heater as long as the glass is in tact.

Does this warranty require any proof of purchase? Or is it simply 'bring the broken thing in'?

All Hagen-brand heaters now come with lifetime warranties, I believe. I know the Fluval Tronics do, at any rate.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: BigDaddy on January 30, 2006, 08:34:43 PM
Obviously, if it is a lifetime warranty, there's no proof of purchase required... all receipts do is verify date of purchase.

Ebo is 3 years and Visitherm is lifetime.  I always keep all my receipts for my equipment, including original packaging, for exactly these reasons.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: Mettle on January 30, 2006, 08:39:21 PM
Sometimes there is a proof of purchase required as the lifetime warranty is only extended to the original purchaser of the item. Or the item needs to be registered with a copy of the original bill of purchase along with location... So I guess it's not so obvious...
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: BigDaddy on January 30, 2006, 08:44:27 PM
I replaced a Visitherm Stealth with Aquarium Systems.  They didn't even ask for the old one back... they simply asked me which model was broken and sent me a new one in the mail.

Thus... no need for a receipt.

Hagen would appear to be the same way, since I got a replacement part free from them, and others on the board have also had good customer service without receipts required.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: jimskoi on January 30, 2006, 08:47:33 PM
I never submerse my heaters anymore.I had a heater in a sump that supplied to tanks full of 2' koi.The seal on it broke and i lost about 25 koi.I will never submerse any of them again.I learned my leason the first time.
My 2 cents.

jim
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: TBarb on January 30, 2006, 09:29:40 PM
I thought about submersing my heaters until I read an article about a guy who died of electricution because the heater broke while he was doing water changes. Alwasy unplug your heaters when doing water changes!
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: FishBuddy on January 31, 2006, 12:39:17 AM
Very good point TBarb....  I've alway turn off my power bar (so that means everything off!) and unplug it from the wall when I do my tank maintenance...  And for those of you who haven't done so already, it's wise to have your aquarium electricals plug into a GFCI circuit (similar to your bathroom plugs)....   It might very well safe your life someday when you least expected :-)
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 31, 2006, 09:13:27 AM
Well, here's the thing...It's a 100w heater.  That means I probably paid about $20-$30 for the thing.  I don't remember where I bought it from (PROBABLY SP Kanata, but I can't be sure) or when (although I could guess probably October of last year).  How would I go about getting the warranty to cover this?  Contact Hagen?
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 31, 2006, 11:09:30 AM
Bring it in to the store, dark.  We'll set u up.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 31, 2006, 11:31:55 AM
Really?  Squeeker you're the best.  Thanks so much.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 31, 2006, 12:21:00 PM
no promises, but I think they'll set u up.  If u wanna come in when I'm there, I work wednesday and thursday nights, saturday all day.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: darkdep on January 31, 2006, 12:28:34 PM
I'll try to make it in tommorow night.
Title: Submersible Heater Q...help!!
Post by: squeeker on January 31, 2006, 12:33:20 PM
see u then!