Stealth Heater Incident - Water Contamination?

[SkinnyPete]

I had a stealth heater blow while mixing water in a 44 gal barrel yesterday. It's a heater I've been using for about a year. I plugged it in and it made a loud noise, then I noticed bubbles rising up from the water. I immediately unplugged it. I pulled it from the water and it smelled terrible.

I just read all about these things happening with Stealth heaters. So, I'm all caught up on the known issues and the warranty, etc. My question is, what does that do to my water? It stunk for hours, so I'm discarding the water in the barrel, and I'm going to rinse the bucket down - but, should I do more? I read a post from someone claiming their stealth blew up in the main tank, contaminating his water and destroying his corals. Not sure how true that is, or if I should be overly concerned with the barrel itself.

 

[number1gsxxr]

I'm pretty sure I read that the heaters can contain copper so that is most likely the biggest concern. Either that or just chemicals from the plastics and stuff. It sounds like you discarded the water quickly so you might be able to just rinse the barrel down very well and reuse it. You could always get a copper test kit and test the water in the barrel to make sure there is no copper.

 

[Amazon]

One of those cooked my 30g. It was in the 20g sump. In less than 5 hours it went from ok to a white tank of death (over night of course). There were definitely copper "internals" visible.

You could use that barrel, but maybe use one of those copper absorbant pads too to be sure? Or just test

But yes, they can "pop" and really kill things quickly.

 

[gweston]

Do you happen to know the lot number for your heater? On the heater's head on the back side?

There was a recalled lot of stealth heaters last year. Supposedly the newer lot does not have the problem. In either case, I'd report it to the company and see if they are willing to work with you.

I believe the recalled lot# was 01H31. I have the model 01H32.

 

[SkinnyPete]

Just to follow-up on this. I just spoke with Marineland. They offered to replace the heater but he asked me specifically if the heater was in a sump. When I explained that it was in a mixing bucket he went on to say that the warrantee only covers heaters within a display tank, that there are too many variables outside of the display tank like fluctuating water levels and temperature and that the heater is more likely to fail in that type of environment. He did, as I said, eventually offer to replace it if I mailed it back at my expense. I just thought it was odd that the lifetime warrantee wouldn't be covered if you keep your heater in your sump, which I feel like many people do.

 

[number1gsxxr]

Was this a Stealth Pro heater with the visible light or the older model?

 

[SkinnyPete]

Was this a Stealth Pro heater with the visible light or the older model?

It's the older one. No visible light.

 

[gweston]

Just to follow-up on this. I just spoke with Marineland. They offered to replace the heater but he asked me specifically if the heater was in a sump. When I explained that it was in a mixing bucket he went on to say that the warrantee only covers heaters within a display tank, that there are too many variables outside of the display tank like fluctuating water levels and temperature and that the heater is more likely to fail in that type of environment. He did, as I said, eventually offer to replace it if I mailed it back at my expense. I just thought it was odd that the lifetime warrantee wouldn't be covered if you keep your heater in your sump, which I feel like many people do.

In other words, their warranty needs to have a big red asterisk with explanatory fine print. I'd counter Marineland that unless they explicitly state that clearly on the package and/or in the included documentation, and give the customer the right to decline the warranty and return the product within a 'reasonable' time frame upon purchase, then they have no grounds placing that limitation on their 'lifetime warranty'.


I have two new packaged Marineland 300 watt heaters right next to me here. This is what it states on/in the package.

Front of package:
-Guaranteed for Life (no asterisk, or notation).
-Shatter proof thermal plastic (I guess exploding ... technically isn't shattering. Ok. Maybe it is).
-Safety Shut-Off (so much for that feature).

Inside package (booklet):
-Never operate a stealth heater outside of the filled aquarium (a sump is part of the aquarium, no?)
-Other misc general electrical safety information.

Ok. There are no guarantee/warranty limitations clearly marked on or within the packaging. Marineland. You have no legal ground to stand on. You lose. Replace his blown heater at Marineland's expense.

We, as consumers can just add this to our repertoire of knowledge about this aquarium products manufacturer for next time we decide to purchase something.

 

[SkinnyPete]

-Never operate a stealth heater outside of the filled aquarium

This is the statement he quoted, of course adding "display"..."outside of the filled display tank". And, yes, I did say "Why a sump? A tank is a tank, no?" That's when he went into the whole explanation around fluctuating water levels etc.

I agree with you. Seems like a flimsy excuse. After battling with a snowblower wheel for a couple hours, I didn't feel much like getting into it with them, to be honest

 

[number1gsxxr]

From what I have read on other forums and through searching google, it seems like Marineland is pretty good about replacing the heaters. Although I'm not sure why I would continue to use the same kind of heater that exploded; especially with so many other reports of it happening. One person claimed that a heater blew a hole in the side of his display and the water ruined his wood floor. After documenting it and taking pictures he claims Marineland cut him a check for the damages, a new tank, and all the livestock that was lost.

Just last week an old style Stealth heater started tripping my GFCI outlet. After testing it in a 5-gal bucket with a multimeter I noticed that it was giving off a lot of stray voltage. I emailed Marineland and they asked for the Lot Number of the unit. I gave it to them but I never heard anything back. I'll be calling them for a replacement. I'll continue to use the Stealth to heat my 5-gal water change buckets but have since replaced the heater with a Eheim Jager in my display.

 

[dcforester1]

With all these problems with heaters, you would think they would be made alittle better. Do people replace them periodicly, or wait for something to happen? I have been running a titanium heater for 2yrs with no issues. Why did I just post that? I just jinxed myself, GREAT!

 

[stingythingy45]

I have used 3 of the older Stealth heaters since day one in this hobby with no issues.A 250 watt,100 watt and a 50 watt.
Odd how sometimes certain lots or newer models can fail.Perhaps they outsourced.

 

[number1gsxxr]

Just an update: I just received a new 200W Visi Therm heater in the mail from Marineland. Originally I never heard anything back from them so I was going to call, but then this showed up. They never even asked for the old heater back.

Has anyone heard or read of any issues with the new style Visi Therm heaters? The only ones that I have read about breaking are the old Stealth shatterproof ones or the new Stealth Pro with the indicator light. The one I received is made of glass.