Heater question

[Lucy]

I just set up a new tank, not sure if this belongs here or in the beginner forum, but I'll try here...

Do heaters usually make noise when they kick in? I have an over the side heater. I honestly can't remember if it's made noise since we bought it (set it up two days ago) or if it started making noise yesterday. We had a fish die last night, so now I'm second guessing everything, of course!

I guess I should also ask how you check for defects and electrical problems in heaters. Mine seems totally encased in a glass tube, so the only thing I can think of to check for are cracks in the glass. Is that it, or is there anything else?

Thanks in advance. :)

[Nooboon]

Welcome to the boards Lucy,

What sort of noise are you talking about?

It is possible that you may hear a click when the thermostat switches the unit on but other than that filters are usually silent. If it is humming or something I would suggest there is a problem with it and you return it to the store.

Unless it is not controling the temperature appropriately (I assume you have a thermometer) it is unlikely that it was the cause of the death of your fish. There are many factors in a new tank which will stress fish and can lead to death. If you continue to have problems with establishing your new tank More fish losses etc) do feel free to post them in the beginner section.

[Lucy]

Sorry about that, should have described it. It's more like a crackling/sizzling sound... the kind you'd associate with electricity travelling, which is why I was wondering if it's an electrical problem.

edit - overnight enough water evaporated that the water was below the water line mark on the heater. I did top it up and it isn't any longer, but I don't know how long the water was below the mark/how many times (if at all) it kicked in while it was below the mark.

[Nooboon]

So it is one of those heaters that are not fully submersible right?
I don't have any experience with this type myself but I am sure Dave or someone will answer here soon.

[AquariumPro]

Lucy!

Get rid of that heater RIGHT AWAY! If you bought it here let us know ASAP! Heaters NEVER make a crackling noise and that is most definitely a short circuit and very possibly a fire or electrocution hazard. There is either a short in the capacitor circuit or there is a hair-line crack near the top seal and water vapor is getting into the heater!

[Lucy]

I was thinking something like that, although now it's more like a buzz when the pilot light comes on but that's it. :-\ No, I bought it at a local store, I'll have no problems taking it back to them and getting it checked out. Was going to take water to them to get tested anyways :)

[Lucy]

They figured it was a short circuit and gave me a new one. This one makes no noise (which is how I thought the first one was, so that's good). They haven't had anyone else complain about any noises so the new one should be fine.