coralline growing on heater, good or bad?

[blk_g20]

my 4-5mo old tank has coralline growing on the back and sides and powerheads and pretty much everywhere else including mag float and thermometer. but my Ebo Jager heater also have patches of coralline...i hope thats doesn't make the heater malfunction and just want to check with the experts.

[Angel]

I have had coraline on mine since it first started covering everything and have had no problems. It is just a normal and healthy process.

 

Angel

[tinyreef]

too much coverage on the heater may insulate it and force the heater to work harder to maintain target temps.

 

when a heater gets too covered i usually soak it in vinegar overnite. two half dips or angled on its side because i don't have a deep enough container w/o wasting a gallon of vinegar. i've been using flower vases lately tho. ("honey, why do my flowers always die so quickly?" "um, i dunno." )

 

this also allows me to rotate heaters, active and backup.