I am making a cylindrical nickel plating tank as I find that the bucket I usually use often isn't deep enough - currently need to plate some 27" shafts. So I've made up a 30" length of 160 mm underground drain with a stop end at the lower end. Shape is ideal as I can drop a tank bubbler in the bottom for agitation and the entire length of the shaft will be agitated. However although I've been using fish tank heaters in a plastic bucket, and they've survived the occasional 'total immersion', in this tank they will be well under the surface. It occurs to me that they might not stand up to this treatment - any opinions? (I have a fall back plan to slip a suitable diameter plastic tube over the cable and top 1" of the 'test tube' that they are built in, secured with a plastic clip but I'd like to avoid it as the plastic tube will be relatively inflexible and tend to knock over the vessel) These are the heaters I'm using: Andrew

I'd expect them to be OK. Although the ad talks about not lying them on the floor of an aquarium because of the pressure, I'd be surprised if they couldn't take a couple of psi, which is all they will see even at the bottom. You will have RCD/RCBO protection presumably?

Yup, and at the other end some is not acceptable. NT

Heh, the world would be a lot simpler. NT

How Waterproof are Fish Tank Heaters?

Sep 07, 2016 26 Replies

Rate this thread:

James Wilkinson 9 years ago

As an inconvenience, I never RCD protect anything.

Vote

tabbypurr 9 years ago

some yes, some no

I'm not seeing the relevance or usefulness of those comments

Okaaaay :) I wouldn't either.

Vote

Vir Campestris 9 years ago

YMMV. So do we - some of their stuff is pretty good.

Andy

Vote

tabbypurr 9 years ago

Yup, and at the other end some is not acceptable.

Vote

Dave Plowman (News) 9 years ago

You generally get what you pay for.

Vote

tabbypurr 9 years ago

Heh, the world would be a lot simpler.

Vote

Dave Plowman (News) 9 years ago

I've bought quite a lot from the far east. Usually electronics and components. And generally, been amazed by the value for money. But if seeing something on sale at a price which seemed to good to be true - compared to other such products from the same area - it usually is. Most notable being rechargeable battery cells.

It's a balancing act. Guessing if the low price is due to selling direct rather than via a retail chain which adds a mark up at each point. Or really is just cheap rubbish. Because there are UK etc firms that sell the same product at a vastly higher price.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required