Heater explodong

[MikeDeL]

I was just wondering what would cause a heater to explode. I was sitting in my office this afternoon when I heard a loud POP, shortly followed by the breaker tripping. When I look in the bucket of water I was warming up for a water change it was filled with pieces of broken glass. I cant think of any reason it would have busted. There wasnt anything in there to fall on it and it didnt get pulled out of the water. Any ideas?


Thanks,
Mike

[JesterGrin_1]

Good question Mike but sorry I do not know the answere but sorry it happened. But do not feel too bad I once had a heater that came loose from the mount on the glass and the wires to it came off and the heater went to the bottom of the tank and tripped the breaker. And with luck the fish did not become pop corn lol.

[beareef19]

If there was any moisture inside the tube, possibly a bad seal. When it heated up the water inside the tube evaporates it turns into a pressurized heater and expands. Pressure escapes from seal, creating a vacuum draws small amount of water back in cycle starts over untill enough pressure is created to break the tube. Glad it was'nt in your tank. Barry

[MikeDeL]

I guess that explains the breaker tripping the day before. I came home and found everything shut off because the breaker had been tripped. I guess there was a leak in one of the seals.


Thanks,
Mike

[kaiser]

It also happens when the heater is overworked. glass heaters can only heat for so long befor they have to shut off for a while to cool off, so they don't burst. I'd suggest You buy a titanium tube heater next time, so this will not happen again.

[MikeDeL]

I wouldnt think a heater keeping a bucket of water warm for a day in a room that is 74 degrees would over work it. But then again it could be a lazy heater, and doesnt like to work.LOL


Thanks,
Mike

[mathias]

did you take the working heater out of your tank and put it in the bucket of cold water?

[MikeDeL]

No this was a heater I use for nothing other then heating water for water changes. It had been in the water for about 24 hrs before it popped.


Mike