Heaters and plastic

I've got 2 20G's with a glass heater in each being hidden by plastic plants. The plants just touch the heater in places and I've never noticed any ill effects.The heater would have to get really hot to melt plastic and the water disperses the heat really quickly anyway.

No, they will not melt the plastic. If that were possible the water around the heater would have to get to hundreds of degrees. Not saying it isn't possible... well actually yes I am. There is NO way, a heater rated for the size of tank, could possibly bring a tank to that temp, even if it malfunctioned. It just doesn't have the BTU's.

If you don't believe me, why are most Aquarium heaters out there made with plastic housings? The housing would melt before your plants. (If it were possible, which it isn't)

Lyle

Agree with what others said. This is a little off topic, but related to heat transfer in water. You can make a bowl out of regular printer paper(oragami) and use it to boil water over an open flame. the paper will not burn. this is due to the rapid difusion of heat through water. even if the heater was capable of getting so hot as to boil the water in your tank, the tank water would melt the plastic before the heater itself would.