Broke heater in sump

[Silverni2]

My titanium fluval heater broke in half
In my sump while doing a water change.
Do I have a water quality problem on my hands ?
Thanks

 

[Dan_P]

I read a couple old threads on this subject. One aquarist seems to have had a broken heater arcing for many hours and harmed his reef creatures. There was no grounding probe. No question he had problems

In another thread there was concern about mercury contamination, but I don't think mercury is used in heater.

I would guess that you are worried amount metal contamination. If you are concerned, you could treat the tank for metal impurities. If the tank is large and the heater's insides have not been exposed many hours, you could take await and see approach.

Was the heater filled with water? Were the wires and thermostat visibly corroded?

 

[homegrowncichlid]

if the heater wasn't on, then no, since the metals are inert and would need to oxidize over time (rust), but if the thermostat turn on, you could have electroplating (can't remember the word for this). If your home circuit breaker didn't trip, the thermostat probably didn't turn on at all. Of course I'm not familiar with that heaters circuitry, but it probably has some sort of safety switch in case water leaks in.

 

[Silverni2]

The heater broke in half with everything exposed for a couple of minutes. I have a GFI that tripped twice until I figured out what was going on.

 

[Dan_P]

I would not lose sleep over it then. You were just unlucky.