Heater Trouble

[drj1259]

So i was getting ready to do a water change on my tank when i noticed something weird coming from my heater. It looks like clear oil liquid is coming out of the heater but i cant tell if this is just heat but i have never seen anything like it. It seems to be working but not where its set at(i have it set at 81 but my thermometer is saying its only 78. Please help i dont know if i should get a new heater or if im just seeing heat.

[JRC3]

Is the water cloudy or do you see a film on the waters surface? When a heater is heating you will see heat waves around it and that's probably what it is.

[drj1259]

thats what i was thinkin it was but guess i just have never noticed it. and the water doesnt look cloudy and the film thing i didnt really think it would matter because the water flow from the filter wouldnt let there b a film but im guessing it is just heat ne ways thanks though guess i was just freakin out

[JRC3]

Better safe than sorry. Their really isn't anything in a heater that could leak. Even in shatterproof ones, they are filled with cured epoxy.

Good luck.

[drj1259]

well thats a good piece of info i did not know that thanks makes things a lot better

[RTR]

+1 to JRC3's comment on the visible heat waves. It is just a layer of heated water moving up and off the tube. That is normal operation.

I am a cynic. I am more surprised when a heater actually gives the set point than when it doesn't,

[Mac Myers]

Protein Skimmer?