Is There Something Wrong With My Heater?

[SouthernCross]

Hey everyone

I've got a 5 gal betta tank on my computer desk with me (its a long desk) and I recently put a 25watt Resun heater in there for him cos its getting cold. I've noticed something really weird, and it took awhile for me to link the two. It seems in the ten or so seconds before the heater switches OFF, my computer speakers, in particular my overhead one, gets all static-y! It's quite loud! The moment the heater switches off (light goes out) it stops. I assume this has something to do with the thermostat - I gues its calculating the water temp to switch off or something...but its scaring me, electrical safety-wise. They run off completely separate power points, which is why it seems weird to me.

The heater itself seems to be functioning fine and all - switching on and off, heating the water accordingly, as I said I can see the light going on and off regularly. I'm more worried that there is something else wrong, and whether it could potentially blow up or start a fire or something...

Also, the top of the heater is touching/leaning against the filter pipe, I thought putting it there would be ok, I didn't think the top would have the heating element in it so I thought that would be ok.....but I thought I better mention it just in case...

Anyone know whats going on? Has it happened to you? Is it safe?

 

[Tolak]

I don't think it's anything dangerous, could be a little internal arcing as the bi-metal strips in most thermostats pull the connection points away from each other. Sounds similar to the static sound caused by lightning on a radio, just on a much smaller scale, and much closer to your speakers. Try unplugging the speakers & using headphones, if it goes away it's the sheilding on the input to the speakers, or the amp itself.

 

[KhaosInc]

In general, backfeeding (one electronic item affecting another) can be traced to grounding issues. And while 99 times out of 100 this will do nothing but give an annoying noise, the 100'th time it could start a fire. I would make sure your outlets are properly grounded (this can be tested with a simple gadget you can get at the hardware store for about $10). The other issue is that computers can be rather touchy when it comes to power surges, make sure yours is on a surge suppressor, and I would think about plugging it in to a different outlet (on a different circut) if at all possible.

 

[Tolak]

GFI outlets or breakers should be used with aquatics equipment. This will eliminate any safety issues.

 

[SouthernCross]

Just want to add to this thread that its causing interference/static in our television too. The main community tank is right near the television too and the heater in that one has NEVER done anything like this. I'm going to ring the store tomorrow to make sure this isn't something I should be worried about. Perhaps its a fault in the thermostat and maybe I can get an exchange for another one to see if it still happens.

 

[Don Trinko]

I am a Amatuer radio operater so I am familiar with the interference problem. When your heater turns on or off there is some arcing. Arcing produces radio frequencies and it can interfere with radios, TV's, etc. I have 13 tanks with heaters. Most of them produce very little interference and only for a short time.
Any of the heaters with a mechanical thermostat will arc some but it should be for a short period of time. Some manufacturers put a capacitor and resister across the thermostat contacts. This will almost completly elliminate the interference. I think some of the newer hi tec heaters have a solid state control and no thermostat contacts. These should produce little or no interference.
Betta tanks are a problem because most heaters are to big physicaly and to high in wattage. I use a 25 watt Theo in my 2 betta tanks. (2.5 g tanks) Don T.

 

[SouthernCross]

Hey, just adding a quick update to this thread.

I called the store, and while they said it was probably nothing to be worried about safety-wise, they offered to exchange it for a different brand for me. I agreed to this, as the static (particularly on the television) was getting very, very annoying.

So I've now got a AquaOne 25 watt (same brand as the bigger one on my community) running on the tank and there's been no more static problems.

Maybe it's just the way Resun heaters are made, or perhaps I just got a slightly shoddy one. Either way, it's proved its the heater and not my house!