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Just recently setup my 10 gallon tank and bought a 50 watt heater (its a 50 watt topfin) that goes by the 5 watts per gallon rule. It also said right on the package that it is for a 10 gallon aquarium. I had it on the lowest setting and it was up to 80F. I keep platies and all the info I read said keep them at a max temp of around 77F. So I turned the heater off and its settling right around 72F. Now I'm by no means removing the heater just in case of a furnace failure or a really cold night but I don't think I need it. Would a 25 watt be enough maybe? I'd like to keep the temp around 74-75 I think. Problem is I don't know if the pet store will take my heater back since its out of the package and in my tank.

Something else I thought of....would it be reasonable to run the heater on a timer to regulate the temp a little lower than 80F?

OR is my thermometer bad? I wouldn't think it would be. Its one that actually has the liquid inside and suction cups to the inside of the tank, not the magnetic ones that hang on the outside (I don't trust these).

Your thermometer is likely right, you can try testing it in the room and see if it comes up with the same temperature as your thermostat for your house is set to.

I've had problems with heaters before, biggest problem I had was with an expensive one, oddly my topfin one gave me no problems! Check and make sure you followed the directions carefully. Sometimes you are supposed to let them set in the tank for 10-15 minutes prior to plugging them in. Also make sure you have the heater in a high flow area of the tank. and the thermometer near by, you could be getting a false reading.

If your house does not alter temp between morning and evening you may be okay with skipping the heater for now, but I'd look into getting one that works. If you purchased the heater at a LCPS (pretty sure I know who sells top fin heaters ) try exchanging it, it could be as simple as a bad internal thermostat in that heater.

^_^

Your tank is a 10g that would be if it was filled to the top and nothing in it at all, by the time you add all the extras, substrate, and drift wood etc you would be very supprised at the gall you actually have. Airation will help to even out the temp and possibly reduce it a little. It will also depend ont its location and the heat of the room.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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my guess is its the heater although maybe the low flow area here's how its setup.

|--H-------------F----|
|--H-------------F--T-|
|--H------------------|
|_____________________|

H - heater
F - filter
T - thermometer

[this didn't really turn out like I wanted but I think you can get the idea]

Only reason its setup this way is because my top has holes in the top so I put the filter and the heater where they fit. I think I can fit the heater in the same hole with the filter. Do you think this will help? I'm not sure it will because it seems this setup would make the thermometer read cooler than the water really is over by the heater but maybe I'm confused.

Hi,
Personally, I think you should take the heater back.
If the lowest setting results in an 80 degree temperature
it would only "work" for discus fish who prefer water
around 84 degrees.

You should be able to install the heater and set it for
72 or 74 degrees, and it would only come on when the water
dropped below the setting.
The one you have is malfunctioning, I'd return it.

Using less wattage, such as the 25 watt heater you mention
would only mean that the heater is running longer, and
harder while trying to maintain the preset temperature.
Stick with the 5 watt/gallon rule of thumb. It is designed
for maximum heater life, and will maintain the tank at the
correct temperature pretty much despite what the room the
tank is in is set at.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Definitely malfunctioning of the heater. I have a 10G tank with a 50W heater. I never have any problem setting the temp range exactly what I want at 76 - 78F.

I'm going to be taking the heater back and exchanging it for a new one, thanks everyone

It sounds like your heater is malfunctioning, return it for a new one. I have had a few heaters by topfin, and none of them went bad. A competitor's 50 watt did, however. I don't like the fact they aren't submersible, so I replaced it with one that was.