To Unplug or not, tis the question

[Chicklet]

Just wondering who unplugs and who doesn't unplug their heaters before doing a partial/or complete water change... and is it necessary to unplug or not.... Just looking for different thought on the matter....

I always thought unplugging was the way to go especially if the water dropped below the heater.. But I'm wondering what everyone else does/thinks...

[kevvy2k]

Unplug if the water goes below the heaters waterline

[bushwhacker]

when i do my changes i turn off the power strip that runs everything, lights heater and filters when its almost filled i hit the switch and turn it all back on

[AABatteries]

I always leave everything on, unless I'm doing a 30+% W/C then I turn off the heater.

[Wild Turkey]

I unplug the heater if its a very small tank and the water is a different temp for some reason.(corys maybe)If you are just using feel to match the temp, and really otherwise just to be safe, its a good idea to put the water in as far from the heater as possible.

I will unplug the filter if im changing so much water that the trickle will disturb the substrate, which isnt often..and the heater if im changing more than 50%, or the heater is going to be exposed to the air, which is even less often.

For small water changes often i dont do anything special except avoid the heater with the new water.

[Northernguy]

I unplug my heaters everytime.If your fish touches it while the water is low it will get a severe burn.You will hear the sizzle sound.It makes the same sound if you touch it accidently!lol
Have you seen one shatter yet? Its a pain in the butt to clean.

[Wild Turkey]

I unplug my heaters everytime.If your fish touches it while the water is low it will get a severe burn.You will hear the sizzle sound.It makes the same sound if you touch it accidently!lol
Have you seen one shatter yet? Its a pain in the butt to clean.

What brand/type are you using ng? Avoid glass if you can, always get submersible if you can. I can pretty much touch all my heaters and nothing happens for a few seconds

No i havent had one shatter, cuz i try not to get glass and i always put them low in the tank, it helps with heating too since heat rises. I have heard horror stories though

[Mith]

When I do my weekly 25-30% water changes, the heater's turned off along with the filter. I done turn the heater back on for 10 or so minutes after the tank's filled back up.

[fishlover49]

I unplug my heaters everytime.If your fish touches it while the water is low it will get a severe burn.You will hear the sizzle sound.It makes the same sound if you touch it accidently!lol
Have you seen one shatter yet? Its a pain in the butt to clean.

Do you mean the heater could cause a burn by just being in low water levels? :ssuprised: Normally, I leave mine plugged in, but the water level is always above the heater by quite a bit. I will definitely be unplugging them from now on. thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

I have a couple of the stealths that claim to shut off when they over heat but ya couldn't prove it by me as they get plenty hot! Haven't burned out yet, tho. Others I just drop them into the water until I fill the tank back up.

[Wild Turkey]

Do you mean the heater could cause a burn by just being in low water levels? :ssuprised: Normally, I leave mine plugged in, but the water level is always above the heater by quite a bit. I will definitely be unplugging them from now on. thumbs2:

Thats what i was trying to figure out, if maybe hes using hob heaters or something, otherwise, i might have to start unplugging mine.

[Mith]

I have a couple of the stealths that claim to shut off when they over heat but ya couldn't prove it by me as they get plenty hot! Haven't burned out yet, tho. Others I just drop them into the water until I fill the tank back up.

I can only imagine ow much fun it would be to clean broken glass out of the tank....LOL

I always just leave it off for about 10 minutes after the tank's filled completely back up.