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thats why if nessary i dont use the heater, or it isn't plugged in, untill cold weather.

There's no point un-plugging heaters.
They are thermostatically controlled.

The general guidline for heaters is approx 5 watts per gallon. Yes, you can use a combination of heaters to reach the desired wattage, in the event that one does fail, you have another heater to bridge the gap until you can purchace a new one.

What does it mean on the description of a heater if it says "preset". Does that mean you can't adjust the temperature?
I want one that I can set at 78* and know that it will be 78*. The one I have now has no numbers on it, just a dial.

Also, how do you determine the size heater you need for a tank? Is there a formula for it? If the recommendation is 100w, could you put 2-50w in just in case one does malfunction?

Thanks,
Carol B

i use all jagers and titaniums in my tanks... never had any problems.. we only use titaniums at work

I've had great experiences with Visi-therm heaters and would highly recommend them. I had them in all my tanks back in Seattle and just bought one for my new tank here. I had it set to 79 and have a digital thermometer in my tank - the heater turned off at 79.1 by my thermometer.

I've also heard lots of praise for Ebo Jagers, although I've never owned one. The one Tronic I owned I was not happy with.

im sorry for ur loss.

i have to agree with dave....its summer here right now...and i dont even bother unplugging my heater....they r thermo controlled....the preset will do its job...thats why...when buying heater....its better to get a more reliable one than to save a few bux coz the consequences can be disastrous...ebo jager for me is the best.

Last edited by tankie at 23-Jun-2005 10:49

Can't say we do. But if it got cold, anyone who had half a brain wouldn't unplug their heaters.

We don't all live there, do we?

Sure, but if the ambient temperature is 80 for 5 months like it is here, you don't have to worry about that.

If you unplug it, you don't have a heated tank either.
Your fish dying from the cold is a lot more likely to happen than a heater malfunctioning and killing them.

sure, until it breaks, and in this case, sticks in the on position boiling fish. If you unplug it, you don't have that risk.
Mine are always plugged in, and i've had one get stuck on *shrug*

There's always a chance that any peice of aquarium equipment can malfunction. Sticking with good brands is usually the best prevention.

My previous post was directed at people who un-plug their heaters when a tank gets too hot. They don't realise that once the desired temp. that you have set on your heater is reached, it automatically cuts the power off.

Hooktor,

Like most of the others, I would suggest that you get an Ebo Jaeger heater. It seems to be
the one mentioned the most when asked about high quality. I have one and, apart from the
fact that the temperature dial is off by 5 degrees from the actual temperature in the tank,
I am happy with it.

Dave. –

[font color="#000080"]
There's no point un-plugging heaters.
They are thermostatically controlled.
[/font]

Do you mean that a heater could not malfunction while being plugged in? Please explain
why Hootor’s heater then did just that.

Thanks,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

So i woke up this morning and noticed there were no fish swimming around my tank...and i took a closer look, the water was almost boiling and did not even register on the thermometer. All i have left now is Edward, my paradise fish, and maybe a few cories. I am so sad, if you remember my heater malfunctioned and the tank temperature was really cold two days ago. So after that i went out and bought 8 black neons to restock and give my lone black neon friends, now all dead. :#( Well of course i am going to go out and buy a new heater but i am so sad, this was my first tank and i am so sad to see it so empty... :#( :#( :#( :#( :#(

Thanks for all your sympathy guys! It means a lot to me...not everyone understands that you can actually get attatched to fish...

But i have decided that since it is just the paradise fish a heater is not an emergency. The tank is at like 74°, which Edward is fine with. I am going to get a heater ASAP, but i just need to decide on which one, which of the following would you guys choose?

1) Aquarium Systems Visi-Therm
2) All Glass Submersible Heater
3) Via Aqua Titanium
4) Tronic Heater

I welcome any other suggestions!

Sorry about your loss. Good lesson for me. Once a heater messes up...don't trust it, replace it. Your loss was an accident beyond your control and not due to neglect or laziness, but I know that is no consolation now. Good luck in the future with new fish.

thats a real pitty for ya but your not alone as my cousin turned his back just 1 moment and his annoying nephew(3yrs) thought it would be funny to have bubles of soap in the water and my cousin lost all but two blue goramies and 1 albino cory
goes to show(in your sich') that u need to be very careful selecting equipment especialy heaters! but i think tronic heaters are fairly reliable
but any way sorry to hear that

I'm sorry to hear about your losses...:#(It is awful to lose fish to something that you feel you might have been able to avoid:#( The key thing is to not blame yourself, get a new heater, and go on...I too had major losses in the beginning of May, due to the fact that the seal in my tank busted:#(I didn't have any survivors...but time heals all wounds...We've all been there at some point...Go get yourself a heater, and get it set, then treat yourself to some new fish, you deserve it...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I can completely sympathise with you.

My heater busted a couple of weeks ago. We are coming into winter in Australia and the water in the tank was so cold. I don't know how long it was broken, but I lost a couple of bristlenoses that were about 5 years old.Broke my heart:#( But I went and got a new heater, cleaned it all up, got it working and then white spot broke out!

Lost a catfish and a gourami to that, then restocked the tank with some danios and rasboras that got eaten THAT night so no small fish are going in there, but thankfully it is all looking pretty good now.

Sorry to hear about your losses.:#(

Darn Heater, ]:|

Sorry to hear about your loss, especially because you didn’t even have the time to
become friends with your new Neons.

Was it a cheap heater or a good brand?

Anyway, I agree that shopping for new fish is kinda cool.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club