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I have a 10 gallon and the heater is not keeping up in the cold weather, it may be my fault as I improperly cared for it for quite a while. I did not turn it off during water changes. So I was hoping that you could recomend a good replacement. Any ideas?

10 Gallon
Red Gravel
1.5 WPG Fluorescent tube
Average Temp. 75F 24C
Java Moss/Vesicularia dubyana
FISH
1 Honey Dwarf Gourami/Colisa lalia
3 Platy's(1 Male, 2 Female)/Xiphophorus maculatus
3 Cherry Barbs(2 Female, 1 Male)/Puntius titteya
1 Giant Ramshorn snail/Marisa cornuarietis
FEEDING
1x daily Nutrafin Max Complete Flake Food
Filter: Millenium 1000 HOB
Heater: Radiant (I think 50 watts)
Water changes once per week
De-Clorinater:Aqua Plus


"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

That's one of the reasons I like visitherm stealth heaters. They won't care if you don't unplug them during a water change. Also if you drop them, bang a rock against them, and forget they are plugged in until after you've drained and started lifting up the tank to move it. Downsides to stealth heaters is a not very detailed temperature dial and no light if your one of those people that likes to see their heater working. I don't think either of those is a big deal though.

via-aqua heaters are my second choice but won't stand up to as much abuse.

Yea, those radiant heaters aren't the best quality. Their temps swing a bit too much for most people, as the materials are low budget.

You can find many higher quality heaters from Rena, Ebo Jager (if you can find them, they don't make them anymore), Hydor and many others.

Check your LFS for these

I'm a huge fan of Rena cal light excels. I couldnt break one if I wanted to it seems, they've held up to use and abuse for 3 years for the oldest one in my tanks right now.

Also have a thicker glass and blend into the tank background a little better imo. Cheap place to get them shipped to you since your in the us is from bigals. Alway have a better priceon those brandheaters than any ofmy local stores.

Koi

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

Thanks for the help I guess i have some shopping to do!

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Before doing any water change always turn the heater off unless it is well below the water surface. In other words well below the safety line.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

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Always turn off the heater during water changes & if you find, buy an Ebo Jager.


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lol yea I was told to turn it off about a year into its use unfourtnatly. That is slightly after my lfs told me I had to do water changes.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

I use a Hydor 50w heater in my 10g and it keeps the tank at a steady 80F. I have had it for a few months and it hasn't caused any problems. It has a light so you know when it kicks on. You would need to unplug it when you change the water though, if the water drops below the heater. I never take out that much water, as my heater is about halfway on my tank.
Also, like mentioned before, Visi-therm Stealth is good. I have one in my 55g. It doesn't have a light though. Also I am having a hard time getting the temp to come down after I raised it a few degrees. I did a water change with slightly cooler water and the temp is the same. Don't know if it has anything to do with the heater though, could be the user. :%)

*Kristin*