BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Check electrical components often!

Hi fish peeps!

Just wanted to remind you all to check your filters/heaters/pumps daily if possible for overheating.. In February of this year, our 10 gallon tank caught on fire (we arent sure if it was the pump or heater or what) It caught the wall behind it, and ultimately exploded the tank. Surpisingly, the 4 fish lived!! It was 2:30 am and luckily our alarms woke us up and saved us and our home from tragedy, but it was shocking. I always turn off lights, check the oven, blow out candles, the normal stuff, and it never ever crossed my mind to check the fishtank. We'd had it for 3 yrs without any problems whatsoever. So just a reminder, check them out!

Yikes! Thank goodness you were warned with your alarms! I have had my 10 gallon tank for almost 5 years without incident but will keep a close eye on it from now on. Thanks for the posting!

Yikes, that does sound like a harrowing experience! Though nothing like it has ever happened to me, I have heard of the occasional rare story similar to yours. Actually, from what I've heard, it is not the overheating of the motor in the filter or the lights that causes these types of fires; it is a short in the electrical circuitry. This sort of thing can happen if wires get frayed and cross, which is obviously all very dangerous when there is water around.... so check behind the tank as well. It is much rarer with newer equipment, but can be quite a risk with older pieces of equipment which don't always have the same safety mechanisms. Well, thank goodness it wasn't worse!

I know this post is old but the information isn't.

I've been having fun reading through the older posts here.

((Everyone))