Is This Normal For A Heater?

[Kris T]

I've just noticed that when my heater is on in the tank, the end of it glows red inside. It only happens in the last inch or so of the heater - the rest stays the same colour. But the end glows like there's a hot match in there. Is that normal for a tank heater?

 

[Curiosity101]

What make and wattage is it? Also how big is the tank it's heating?

 

[Craster]

Are you sure it's not just the LED that indicates that it is operating?

 

[Bobtastic]

Do you have a thermometre in the tank? What is the temperature?

 

[keenonfish]

you should be able to see the coiled element wire if this is glowing then yes there is a problem lol (element short maybe). Next time you see the glow unplug and if the 'glow' turns off in an instant then it is likely an led / neon if the glow fades off (or takes time to reach full brightness when stat is engaged) then it might be the element and a new heater will be required!

 

[rabbut]

This is normal for many cheap heaters... What brand of heater are you using?

 

[Kris T]

It's a Fluval Tronic 300w, the one that came with my 200L tank. The whole thing is only a couple of weeks old. It's in a fihless cycle at the moment. The temperature is reading about 29 degrees.

I see that one of the features of this heater is a "pilot light with brilliant glow." Could that glow be what I'm seeing?

I see the led light at one end showing it's on, but this is at the opposite end. About the last inch and a half glows red inside, about the size of a match by the looks of it. The glow seems to come and go with the led light...so is this just a "glow" to show it's on?

I don't know if I need a new heater or not...

 

[rabbut]

My old Fluval Tronic (I.E before the design revisions) does not glow, but the new ones may. At face value, I'd say you have a dodgy one that needs replacing, but I'd await a reply from someone whom has the new model Fluval Tronics...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[LionessN3cubs]

I googled a picture of that heater...and according to the picture on the box, the end IS supposed to "glow"...the tip of it on the picture is an orangey color. In the different descriptions I saw, listed seperately were the LED power indicator AND the pilot light with brilliant glow...I think it might be safe to assume that the light at the bottom is normal...

 

[Kris T]

The way it glows in the heater isnt the same though. The very tip of the heater has a different colour to it, but this is the inch or so leading up to that tip.

I just tested it by turning it off and on again. The LED indictaor light came on right away to show it was turned on, but the inch that glows took about 60 seconds to appear, so it must be the element warning up? Is that a sign I should get a nother one...?

 

[drobbyb]

This is normal for many cheap heaters...

Agree.

 

[keenonfish]

The way it glows in the heater isnt the same though. The very tip of the heater has a different colour to it, but this is the inch or so leading up to that tip.

I just tested it by turning it off and on again. The LED indictaor light came on right away to show it was turned on, but the inch that glows took about 60 seconds to appear, so it must be the element warning up? Is that a sign I should get a nother one...?

It does sound like it has had a nasty knock or faulty from new. I would take it back to the place you got it from and get a replacement.

 

[Kris T]

Thanks for all your advvice, everyone!

Thinking back, it did knock against the wall of the tank last week when I was adjusting the position of the rocks in there...It didn't seem much at the time, but these things are delicate...For the sake of £20 and my peace of mind, I think I should get a new one!