stupid heater question?

[majortank]

I just received a Penn Plax 100 watt heater off ebay. And I opened the package and noticed that at the bottom of the heater tube theres some paper or plastic-looking material inside the tube touching the parts that heat up...

I tried to take a picture (first time uploading to this site, hope it works). You can definitely see theres some white material in the tube touching the heating coils. My other heater doesn't look have that, and no other heaters ive ever seen have it... Am i supposed to open the tube and take that out? It doesn't say anything about it in the instructions...

HELP!

 

[krytan]

I would think that if you try and open it it would break.

 

[majortank]

I agree... So that would mean this material is supposed to be there? It does say its moisture proof... maybe that just absorbs the moisture?

I think I'm just going to go for it and plug it in...

 

[BettaFishMommy]

i have had a couple of heaters with that in there (Elite brand that clips on the tank) and i didn't take it out and the heater was just fine (second hand heater).

not sure why some manufacturers put that in, but i don't see it on any newer heaters in the stores these days.

 

[majortank]

Well i'm still alive, no fires or electrocutions... we'll count that as a win. Thanks for your help

 

[BettaFishMommy]

you're welcome!

 

[kj5kb]

It's insulation...and yes, it's supposed to be there.

Probably helps keep the element from banging around inside the tube.

 

[rocker92]

i agree with the others, it is supposed to be in there, i have 3 heater with that and they are fine.

 

[wackydan]

Yup.. age old use of the stuff. I believe it is some sort of glass mesh to keep things from rattling around.

 

[Star_Rider]

actually insulation.. more to protect the glass from extreme temps created by the hot wires in the element.