HELP heater exploded!

[TheDuude]

Need some advice my heater a hyger 600 watt exploded in my reef tank.

Loud bang and sparks in the tank, immediately unplugged the heater and pulled out the tube. The glass tube had completely separated from the cord and everything that was inside the heater blew out all over my reef tank.

I immediately started siphoning the debris through a 1 micron sock and spent 2 hours getting every last shard I could see out of the tank. Tank is barebottom so that was easy. There was some type of white sand and shiny metal flakes all over the tank.

Water is now clear, fish acting ok so far. I have a large bag of carbon running and am mixing water now to do a 50% water change.

Is my tank going to survive and what else can I do?

Thanks

 

[Mebbid]

Should be fine tbh. I'd invest in something better than a hygger heater next time.

 

[maroun.c]

Large water change and running some carbon would also help

 

[TheDuude]

Should be fine tbh. I'd invest in something better than a hygger heater next time.

Anyone know what metal is inside the heater that blew all over my tank?

 

[UncommonSense]

Anyone know what metal is inside the heater that blew all over my tank?

and shiny metal flakes all over the tank.

could this actually be Mica? — (a brittle mineral used as an insulator… see if it just breaks apart when you press on a flake)

 

[TheDuude]

could this actually be Mica? — (a brittle mineral used as an insulator… see if it just breaks apart when you press on a flake)

Yea it crumbles.. very brittle. Little shiny flakes. I siphoned 99% of it out

 

[UncommonSense]

After thinking about this for a bit, I’d guess that the level of explosive carnage you’re describing is from a steam explosion!

 

[TheDuude]

After thinking about this for a bit, I’d guess that the level of explosive carnage you’re describing is from a steam explosion!

Makes sense.. pressure buildup inside. It sounded like a gunshot going off. I was in backyard at the time and heard it from ok outside the house.

I see no other debris vacuumed then all out and running carbon. What else should I be doing?

 

[UncommonSense]

Makes sense.. pressure buildup inside. It sounded like a gunshot going off. I was in backyard at the time and heard it from ok outside the house.

I see no other debris vacuumed then all out and running carbon. What else should I be doing?

You’re lucky you were home!

The white sand is likely silica based…

the big threats would be the metal from the heating elements themselves, and the copper conductors attached to them!

Carbon plus a sizable water change should suffice, primarily because sure you caught it quickly!

 

[Mebbid]

Could also be Silicone Carbide that was inside the heater.

 

[commod0re]

silicon carbide is dark gray though, white is probably alumina sand

 

[Bear22]

Hygger Heaters should be pulled by the aquarist. There's a couple of YT aquarist channels that have done episodes on Hygger heater failures AND electrocutions and Hygger has done little to rectify the situation.

 

[TheDuude]

Well thanks all for the responses. I confirmed the material in the heater was mica. 50% water change, heavy carbon, and some cuprisorb has the tank back to clear and so far everything seems ok.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would never run a heater with the head or cord entrance submerged. The only thing that I would use are heaters with full "test tube" type envelopes with the head out of the water. Never glass or titanium tubes with plugged or capped ends.

Thermal expansion and contraction and/or materials degradation will eventually allow water in.

 

[TheDuude]

I would never run a heater with the head or cord entrance submerged. The only thing that I would use are heaters with full "test tube" type envelopes with the head out of the water. Never glass or titanium tubes with plugged or capped ends.

Thermal expansion and contraction and/or materials degradation will eventually allow water in.

Can you elaborate what you mean by the teat tube style? I have ordered a titanium heater and am curious what type I have

 

[BeanAnimal]

There is no opening at one end, like a test tube. It can't leak there because it is not open there.

VS an open tube plugged at both ends

Sadly much of the crap all comes from the same place now under different brands, so maybe your options are limited

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Should be fine tbh. I'd invest in something better than a hygger heater next time.

Agreed! I would get a titanium heater. They are so worth the $$

 

[TheDuude]

There is no opening at one end, like a test tube. It can't leak there because it is not open there.

VS an open tube plugged at both ends

Sadly much of the crap all comes from the same place now under different brands, so maybe your options are limited

Ah makes sense, cap above water line and your removing the potential for water intrusion. I like it!

Thanks

 

[BryanM]

Your course of action was good.

Have you inspected where the heater was for possible other glass damage .... I'd be concerned with an explosion you could hear in the backyard.

 

[TheDuude]

Your course of action was good.

Have you inspected where the heater was for possible other glass damage .... I'd be concerned with an explosion you could hear in the backyard.

I have and nothing to be found