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Originally this topic was posted by Matt, asking about others experiences with this type of heater.
I've had one for a couple months and just installed it a couple weeks ago. Before the server crash, I posted the following experience on the Cichlid Health Forum:
I set-up a new 34 gallon aquarium with a new undergravel filter, new gravel, new titanium heater, and new floating thermometer with rubber suction cup. Overnight a 'skin' of slime formed on the rubber parts of the heater (end caps, etc.), including the suction cups (but not the plastic clip). I cleaned it off and it formed again the next day.
Someone replied to my post and wrote me that they had the same problem but it went away after a few days and never came back. Anyhow, I left mine set for about 8 days now and it seems to have finished this 'cycle' of what ever and the 'skin' is peeling off on it's own. Underneath the rubber is staying clean and what ever it was is not growing back. I also noticed that the rubber suction cup on the floating thermometer did the same thing.
So it appears to have been some sort of bacteria or other microbe that was feeding on something on or in the rubber. I haven't added my fish to the tank yet, but as the problem seems to have come to an end, I was going to do a large water change tomorrow and add the fish. Maybe to satisfy my curiousity, I might dig out my microscope and see what there is to see.
I've still got 2 new titanium heaters that I haven't installed yet. Most of my tanks are still between 73F and 75F, with occasional dips down to 70F or 71F at night. The fish are all very active and seem to like it alright. In another month or so, when the outside temp avg is 0F to 20F, I'll be installing the others. I curious if the same thing will happen then in a seasoned tank.
Anyhow, other than that I really like this heater. The temp doesn't fluctuate at all. I think this is mostly due to the fact that the thermostat is on another cable, mounted on the opposite end of the tank from where the heater is mounted. The 'control box' on the outside of the tank is a great thing also. It's very easy to adjust and seems to be very accurate.
Any other experiences with the titanium heaters?
Michael
I've had one for a couple months and just installed it a couple weeks ago. Before the server crash, I posted the following experience on the Cichlid Health Forum:
I set-up a new 34 gallon aquarium with a new undergravel filter, new gravel, new titanium heater, and new floating thermometer with rubber suction cup. Overnight a 'skin' of slime formed on the rubber parts of the heater (end caps, etc.), including the suction cups (but not the plastic clip). I cleaned it off and it formed again the next day.
Someone replied to my post and wrote me that they had the same problem but it went away after a few days and never came back. Anyhow, I left mine set for about 8 days now and it seems to have finished this 'cycle' of what ever and the 'skin' is peeling off on it's own. Underneath the rubber is staying clean and what ever it was is not growing back. I also noticed that the rubber suction cup on the floating thermometer did the same thing.
So it appears to have been some sort of bacteria or other microbe that was feeding on something on or in the rubber. I haven't added my fish to the tank yet, but as the problem seems to have come to an end, I was going to do a large water change tomorrow and add the fish. Maybe to satisfy my curiousity, I might dig out my microscope and see what there is to see.
I've still got 2 new titanium heaters that I haven't installed yet. Most of my tanks are still between 73F and 75F, with occasional dips down to 70F or 71F at night. The fish are all very active and seem to like it alright. In another month or so, when the outside temp avg is 0F to 20F, I'll be installing the others. I curious if the same thing will happen then in a seasoned tank.
Anyhow, other than that I really like this heater. The temp doesn't fluctuate at all. I think this is mostly due to the fact that the thermostat is on another cable, mounted on the opposite end of the tank from where the heater is mounted. The 'control box' on the outside of the tank is a great thing also. It's very easy to adjust and seems to be very accurate.
Any other experiences with the titanium heaters?
Michael