Titanium heaters and stray voltage

dino · #1 02-16-2017, 04:06 PM

I use titanium on all freshwater and salt tanks and will never go back to glass. I believe a small amount of voltage is ok but you should be getting shocked that's for sure

intarsiabox · #2 02-16-2017, 11:06 PM

I've been using titanium heaters for years and don't have any measurable voltage in my tank. That said any electrical device in your tank can break down over time and cause stray voltage regardless of what it's made of.

Default · #3 02-17-2017, 12:14 AM

I run Ti heaters but I have my tank grounded every tank should be grounded if you have ac going into your tank or sump.

daplatapus · #4 02-17-2017, 02:10 AM

I'm running titanium heaters in mine as well. If I have a cut on my hand (which is pretty much 90% of the time, lol) I feel some stray voltage as well. It's been so slight that I've never actually measured it or tried to chase it down. I'll have to check it....

Stones · #5 02-17-2017, 05:42 AM

It sounds like most people aren't experiencing the same problems I was having regarding stray voltage. Perhaps I just had a few bad heaters or the seals went over time as the HLLE did come on very suddenly and the same heater had been in the sump the entire time.

I much preferred the titanium heating elements as you don't have to worry about cracking like you do with a glass heater but for now I'm back to all glass heaters in my stocked tanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKoKoMan

Blah sorry to hear! I hope your able to rebound and get the tank back on track.

Sadly my tank has been shut down for over 2 years now and I won't be setting another large reef tank up in my current house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I'm running titanium heaters in mine as well. If I have a cut on my hand (which is pretty much 90% of the time, lol) I feel some stray voltage as well. It's been so slight that I've never actually measured it or tried to chase it down. I'll have to check it....

Daplatapus, I would check your system to see if the stray voltage drops significantly when the heater is unplugged. If so, I'd either replace the heater or add grounding probes to your tank and sump.

Most livestock seems relatively unaffected by stray voltage but certain species like large angels and certain tangs will develop HLLE quite rapidly if there is an excess of stray voltage.