[RoyalBlueDarling]

Hi,

Some kind of clear/whitish silicon-like substance has leaked out in a bloated ring around the base of my heater's big blue temperature adjust knob.

Has anyone had this problem and what should I do about it? Should I just leave it for the time being?

I'm worried that it will hurt the fish.

I've emailed Hagen, but am not about to hold my breath for a reply.

 

[Namazzi]

I have no idea, but if anything weird happens with any of my heaters I unplug them and remove them asap and get a new one. Better safe then sorry.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

I have no idea, but if anything weird happens with any of my heaters I unplug them and remove them asap and get a new one. Better safe then sorry.

I'm going to do that too--I've got a spare Marina heater, but it's not good at keeping the temperature up unfortunately. Knew I should have just bought a second Fluval (have never had problems with Fluval heaters.)

Apparently the stuff that looks like bloated silicon is the "waterproof seal", but it really looks as if there's something wrong with it. :-(

 

[LionCalie]

I had that happen too with one of my new Elite heaters. I simply wiped it off and never had the problem again. I seriously doubt they would put anything unsafe for aquatic life on the heater. It's a very popular heater, so I'm sure it would have come up in discussion if it was bad for the health of our fish.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

I had that happen too with one of my new Elite heaters. I simply wiped it off and never had the problem again. I seriously doubt they would put anything unsafe for aquatic life on the heater. It's a very popular heater, so I'm sure it would have come up in discussion if it was bad for the health of our fish.

Hi,

That's good to know. I was pretty worried, because I took it out and wiped it off, but a chunk went into the water and sort of turned into white flakes, so then I had to do a water change. I bought it because it had excellent reviews.

What's worse is my husband's uncle is over, and while I was conditioning the new water he went and played around with the heater, and only told me this when I put it back in the tank (couldn't find the Marina, and refused to let the water go cold). So now the heater's back in the tank and I don't know whether he's mucked around with the temperature dial or not, because he said that he was "tightening" the water seal. :-( Ptolemy (my comb tail betta) seems ok, but my stress level is still rising ...

Update: I just checked the heater and compared it to the photo on the packaging, and I don't think he managed to mess with the thermostat, thank goodness.

 

[pumpkinspikepie]

Hope it's nothing! I just ordered four of these!

 

[Kytkattin]

I have read about this before. I currently have one of these heaters, and have had it for about a year now. I have never read about them killing a fish, despite the weird substance. So you should be good.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

Hope it's nothing! I just ordered four of these!

Judging by the replies, it's a harmless mystery substance. It felt like petroleum jelly when I touched it, but I do't know what petroleum jelly would be doing in there.

If Hagen reply to my email, I'll post it here.

I have read about this before. I currently have one of these heaters, and have had it for about a year now. I have never read about them killing a fish, despite the weird substance. So you should be good.

I have been keeping a very close eye on Ptolemy. He's his normal, inquisitive, always hungry, grumpy self. Thanks for replying.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

Reply from Hagen

Hey all,

Here's Hagen's reply about this problem. As I suspected, they haven't been very helpful at all.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

There is nothing in the construction of this unit that would cause this condition. What you are describing could be mineral residue.

Regards,
Customer Service
Rolf C. Hagen Inc."

Mineral residue. :roll:

Anyway, Mr. Ptolemy is fine this morning. Time for breakfast--his and mine.

Thanks for all your responses, they really set my mind at ease.

 

[bastage]

So I have an Elite 100 & 300 & I noticed this on both a couple days ago. I Phoned Hagen, but they were unsure.. What I noticed next though kinda surprised me. My Otto Catfish ate the substance. Picked it clean off & there no worse for the wear. I Would suspect that the substance is probably wax of some sort meant to keep that O Ring from drying out before it is purchased & after it has been submerged for a while seeps out.

I Also sent Hagen a picture of the substance so we will see if I get the same response back.

 

[Oiseau]

I haven't had this specific problem but I've sworn off Hagen products. My 25W heater broke, after 6 months of use, and either doesn't turn on or boils my fish and my Hagen Elite Mini sponge filter malfunctioned and went from nearly no water movement to super fast and tore up Flounder's fins. :/

 

[nel3]

thats good to hear its mineral residue, 2/3 of mine have that. the 3rd is a new heater for my CT the other 2 ive had ever since i purchased them. i'll wipe it off tommorow after shutting the heater off to do so.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

thats good to hear its mineral residue, 2/3 of mine have that. the 3rd is a new heater for my CT the other 2 ive had ever since i purchased them. i'll wipe it off tommorow after shutting the heater off to do so.

Hi nel3. I think Hagen are fibbing about the mineral residue. I'm waiting to see their reply to Bastage:

My Otto Catfish ate the substance. Picked it clean off & there no worse for the wear. I Would suspect that the substance is probably wax of some sort meant to keep that O Ring from drying out before it is purchased & after it has been submerged for a while seeps out.

I Also sent Hagen a picture of the substance so we will see if I get the same response back.

 

[nel3]

Hi nel3. I think Hagen are fibbing about the mineral residue. I'm waiting to see their reply to Bastage:

be it what it may, i havent seen my 3 betta go crazy because it. one of them is in a 5g divided. i have to do another wc so i'll wipe it of hope it stays away.

 

[acadialover]

I would get that heater out and get a different brand today. I would never mess with the life of my fish wondering if something is toxic or not. I have recent problems with heaters and am very happy with the AQUEON 50 w I bought recently. Keeps right at 80 no matter the dips in room temp which gets down to 65 at night.
HOw can something white and tacky that comes out of a heating element be good for the water quality. Makes me nervous.
I wouldn't risk it,and would send it off to them. JMO

 

[bastage]

The substance isnt coming out of the heater element. It forms evenly over the entire surface of of rubber O-Ring/Gasket that makes the fixure water tight between the plastic head & the glass tube.

& After seeing my Otto's eat it I have no doubt that it is not toxic in any way. Otherwise I would have several dead fishies after they flat out ate it..

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

I would get that heater out and get a different brand today. I would never mess with the life of my fish wondering if something is toxic or not. I have recent problems with heaters and am very happy with the AQUEON 50 w I bought recently. Keeps right at 80 no matter the dips in room temp which gets down to 65 at night.
HOw can something white and tacky that comes out of a heating element be good for the water quality. Makes me nervous.
I wouldn't risk it,and would send it off to them. JMO

It's happening again! I guess I wiped it off too soon the first time. :roll: I just noticed a new coat of the Mystery Substance around the waterproof seal. I've got a submersible Fluval 50 watt (think it's the M series--it's the one that mirrors the colours inside the tank) for my other betta in his 3.7 gallon, and have never had any problems with it. It too always keeps the temperature spot on. I'm gonna get another one soon--I would have bought a second one instead of the Elite, but this was for a rescue betta, so it was unexpected and I didn't really have the funds, and had read good reviews for this heater. It's disappointing, and personally I think it's rubbish.

 

[RoyalBlueDarling]

The substance isnt coming out of the heater element. It forms evenly over the entire surface of of rubber O-Ring/Gasket that makes the fixure water tight between the plastic head & the glass tube.

& After seeing my Otto's eat it I have no doubt that it is not toxic in any way. Otherwise I would have several dead fishies after they flat out ate it..

Uh, it's happening again! I'm gonna swap it for a Fluval 50 watt asap.

 

[nel3]

do you think AQ sealent would do well to cover it up? how long do you think it wakes for AQ silicone to be water safe? i know it takes a full 48hrs but is it unsafe to put im before the 2days?

 

[bastage]

OK So I finally got a responce back

Good Morning,

I received back the following email from our expert on thesubstance on the heater.

This is bacteria growing on the heaters rubber stopper not asubstance coming out of the heater

Regards
Elaine
Rolf C. Hagen
Customer Service

So they are telling me bacteria growth. That I can believe since the otto's thought it was a tasty snack.