I had this Cobalt Neo Therm 200W heater and have been using it for almost a year. Two days ago I smelt something funny coming from the fish tank area. I turned off everything connected to the fish tank and couldn't find a thing. I did not suspect the heater since green LED light was on and I assumed it must be something else. I stepped away to work and came back after about four hours to see the tank and the first thing I noticed my prized purple tang stuck to the power head. I turned off the PH to release him and he fell flat to the bottom. I frantically started looking for other fish and horrified to find them either dying or dead under the live rock. Two clown fish that I have seem to be doing fine. The scene literally pushed me to the edge. This is the third time I am losing a tank full of fish,.last two times due to velvet.
I assumed the worst and decided to pull the dead fish out. Since many of the fish I have are large my immediate concern ammonia outbreak. As I pulled each fish I noticed even though they appeared to be dead if I looked close enough I could see their hard breathing pattern. I decided to give them another shot.
I had a 30g fresh water in storage. Quickly mixed salt and replaced one third of the water from the tank. Packed two reactors with carbon and let it run. Luckily I had all of these on hand. I actually had zero confidence that any of these will work as I have seen worse. My wife and daughter insisted I do something. After few hours I was able to save four out of ten fish. The four I saved are the largest of the lot but the ones I lost were more expensive wrasses.
Long story short, stop using these heaters.
Here is the picture of cracked heater and plastic melt coming out of the crack.
I assumed the worst and decided to pull the dead fish out. Since many of the fish I have are large my immediate concern ammonia outbreak. As I pulled each fish I noticed even though they appeared to be dead if I looked close enough I could see their hard breathing pattern. I decided to give them another shot.
I had a 30g fresh water in storage. Quickly mixed salt and replaced one third of the water from the tank. Packed two reactors with carbon and let it run. Luckily I had all of these on hand. I actually had zero confidence that any of these will work as I have seen worse. My wife and daughter insisted I do something. After few hours I was able to save four out of ten fish. The four I saved are the largest of the lot but the ones I lost were more expensive wrasses.
Long story short, stop using these heaters.
Here is the picture of cracked heater and plastic melt coming out of the crack.