How to Properly Operate and Remove a Glass Immersion Aquarium Heater

Preventing Heaters from Shattering

Jendayi
Jendayi, Yahoo! Contributor Network
May 27, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Aquarium heaters are valuable to fish that thrive in warmer temperatures such as tropical fish like African Cichlids and many others. Many new fish owners fail to realize the intricacy required to properly remove and add water to their aquarium while an aquarium heater is in the tank. One tiny mistake can cause the heater to explode and shatter inside of the tank causing a very dangerous situation for your fish. Fish that go extended periods without a heater fail to thrive. To prevent your fish from experiencing this type of stress you should take notice of the steps needed to properly remove the heater. Below is the proper way to remove an 8"Aquarium heater.

First determine why you would need to remove your fish heater. Some reasons a person may need to remove an aquarium heater would be to do a water change or to relocate the fish from one tank to another.

Removing the aquarium heater for a full water change

If you are doing a full water change for any reason, you must first unplug the heater and let it sit inside of the water in the tank. Do not take the heater right out of the water after you unplug it, just let it sit inside of the water for a good 30 minutes. To be really safe you can wait a full hour before taking the heater out of the water. After 30-60 minutes remove the unplugged heater from the tank into the new water making sure that the new water covers the water line indicator on the heater. Do not plug the heater up just yet, let it sit in the new water for a good 30 minutes and then plug it into the outlet.

Removing the aquarium heater for a partial water change

If you are doing a partial water change you should first unplug the aquarium heater and let it sit inside the water for 30-60 minutes to cool. After 30-60 minutes remove the heater and place it somewhere safe. Now, proceed to do the partial water change. Once you have completed changing the water place the heater back inside of the water but do not plug it in. Make sure that the water covers the water line indicator and let the heater sit inside of the water for 20-30 minutes. After 20-30 minutes have passed, plug the heater into the outlet.

You must remember to never plug in the heater while it is outside of the water and to unplug the heater, let it sit inside of the tank for 30 minutes, and then remove it when you change the water in the aquarium.

Published by Jendayi

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  • The heater can explode in aquarium if not operated properly
  • Before turning heater on let it sit in tank water for 30-60 minutes
  • Never operate heater outside of water
The aquarium heater is an electrical device made of glass that can be submerged into water and so proper precautions must be taken to operate and remove the heater.

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