Almost created a fire and nuked my tank at the same time!

[Dburr1014]

I forgot to refill my ATO and I kept meaning to and the water level dropped so much that the heater was mostly exposed to air. And as soon as I added more water I heard pop and fizz! And smelled burning. Oh bleep! Unplug everything immediately and see my crispy heater but very safe fish and no electric shock or fire. The lesson here refill the ATO as soon as it runs out. The heater lasted me a solid two and a half years when I have forgotten to refill the ATO many times and refilled it the next day or two. I think this time I just waited way too long and the heater ran dry. Thank God I noticed it when I did because any longer and I know a fire or an electrical shock would have happened.

Yikes, living on the edge!

Lucky for Hewbie he had a BRS Titanium Heater and Inkbird along with a grounding probe usually at least of if I have an extra outlet.

A titanium heater is a grounding probe, no need for both.

Something I considered installing when I first got the tank but the issue is if it trips then your entire tank does and if you aren’t home or don’t know then that isn’t good.

The other side of the coin is it protects you from getting completely electrocuted. Definitely do not run in grounding probe without a GFCI. End of story.

 

[Paul B]

The good part is that if your sump runs dry and the heater is exposed, you are heating your house so saving money on heat bills. OK,,,,,Not really. Glad all ended well