Heater exploded while cooking LR

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by saz125g, Jan 10, 2012.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 4
  1. saz125g

    saz125g Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Albuquerque, NM
    Ok, so I am pretty sure this is a new one for you guys:

    I was having major algae issues a couple of months ago and decided to cook the LR in a 35gal tub (submersible heater and powerhead only...totally dark and I changed the water every two weeks). Today, we hear a loud noise and discovered that the heater had somehow exploded and the cord was severed at the base of the thermometer (please dont ask me how this happened, I am baffled myself). We opened the container and smoke came out. There is now an oily film on the top of the water and some black 'funk' floating around.

    Should I try to save the rock or is it now un-usable?? I could try to cure it but I dont know what is in those heaters and if the rock is now ruined.

    Any advice?
     
    saz125g, Jan 10, 2012
    saz125g, Jan 10, 2012
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. zackscott20

    zackscott20 Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 17, 2011
    Messages:
    310
    Location:
    IN
    wow.... that is crazy... i would bleach and clean the rock with acid like i saw in another thread... but it also depends, how much live rock? if its less than 15lbs i wouldn't bother. thats just IMO. id like to see others opinions and reactions!
     
    zackscott20, Jan 10, 2012
    zackscott20, Jan 10, 2012
    #2
  3. DBOSHIBBY

    DBOSHIBBY Sleeper Shark

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2009
    Messages:
    2,557
    Location:
    Detroit, MI
    Was it a marineland stealth heater by chance?
    Most models got recalled for that exact reason.
     
    DBOSHIBBY, Jan 10, 2012
    DBOSHIBBY, Jan 10, 2012
    #3
  4. saz125g

    saz125g Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Messages:
    25
    Location:
    Albuquerque, NM
    Not sure of the model but yes it was marineland. It is in a million pieces right now. I had about 125lbs of LR in there (all of it).
     
    saz125g, Jan 10, 2012
    saz125g, Jan 10, 2012
    #4
  5. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    OUCH! i'd scare too! And then find out some weird chinese metal leeched out and killed everything! Hoping someone on here says its safe for ya!
     
    cosmo, Jan 10, 2012
    cosmo, Jan 10, 2012
    #5
  6. jtr38230

    jtr38230 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Messages:
    271
    Location:
    Tennessee
    wow makes me want to change my heater.... just more $$$ to spend....
     
    jtr38230, Jan 10, 2012
    jtr38230, Jan 10, 2012
    #6
    1 person likes this.

    7. Click Here!

  7. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    here's a bump, kinda interested in hearing what people tthink!
     
    cosmo, Jan 11, 2012
    cosmo, Jan 11, 2012
    #7
  8. FaceOfDeceit

    FaceOfDeceit Hockey Beard

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2010
    Messages:
    2,076
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Do the Chinese have metals that we don't?
     
    FaceOfDeceit, Jan 11, 2012
    FaceOfDeceit, Jan 11, 2012
    #8
  9. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    prob not but they seem to put anything in their metals to cheapen it up! Like mercury, lead, aresenic, who the heck knows!
     
    cosmo, Jan 11, 2012
    cosmo, Jan 11, 2012
    #9
  10. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2011
    Messages:
    1,390
    Location:
    FLW, Mo
    So you were using the heater to cook the rock? I dont think a normal heater is going to get hot enough to thermally kill the algae & bacteria.
     
    khowst, Jan 11, 2012
    khowst, Jan 11, 2012
    #10
Page 1 of 4