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The tank heater I have is set to 28, for a heat increase whilst dealing with a case of Ich, but my tank temp doesn't go beyond 25 celsius according to my new themometer...

So more or less one of them has got to be malfunctioning, Im not sure which though...

No it may not be broken just that the temperature control is not that accurate or is not working. Test with another thermometer. This can cause big problems it can either be too cold or just too hot. My last heater in the Betta tank broke down during the summer hot days and the tank over heated for a short time. The spare went in straight away and not a problem of the tank getting to cold.
Also get another heater (buy a good brand name) and use the old one as a spare.

When placing a new heater into a tank leave it in the tank for at least 30 minutes then turn it on. Some heaters can actually crack if turned on straight away. Some of the god brands will state this on the box or with the instructions.

Finally it always pays to have a spare you can gurantee it will break at the time when you dont expect any thing to happen.

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

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Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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I always have two temperature gauges one a floating thermometer and a stick on ( this is just a guide but the ones I have always seem to be the same temp readings.

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

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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The "digital" stick on thermometers are garbage, so I suggest you follow keith's warning and do not rely on them soley. If you have one of these, your heater is probably just fine. It's always good to place a heater in an area of high water flow to promotoe accurate distribution of the heated water as well, if you haven't done so already.

Excellent advice re heater placement.
The heater in the Betta tank is placed directly over a long wand air stone.

In the 5ft tank one is placed very close to the inlet and the other at the opposite end and very close to the long bar outlet spray. They are also in a very good air movement. I also have a very good UGF to give a full water movement through the substrate. This is another reason to have styrene foam underneath the tank. My 5ft tank is only inches from an external solid brick wall and it can get very cold to solve this I have filled the gap with thick insulation bats.

To give you an idea stick your thermometer into the substrate as far as you can from the heater.


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

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Well my heater is an aquaone "Jager" 25watts

My themometre is an aquaone easyread.

(My filter is also aquaone, seems like a good company for the most part )

Does that mean my filter should be near my heater? it's about all I have that provides water movement.

A 25 watt heater is very small, and really isn't suited for much anything over 5 or 7 gallons. Maybe I missed it, but what size tank are you heating? It could be possible that the heater just isn't suited for the tank.

Most generally the heater is placed on the opposite side of the tank so it kinda catches the backside of the water flow. As long as it's somewhere close to the flow it'll be ok, as heated water will create it's own flow.

My tank is around the 7 gal mark so it should be fine =)

The water does feel pretty warm so my only fear now is overheating since the heater is obviously working fine.

It is still set to 28 though I may turn it down a degree or two tomorrow just in case

Well for now I have a second heater, once my tank heats up I'll remove my other original one...

I can only guess it just wasn't strong enough to heat the whole tank.

Hi,
I'm concerned about this comment Crimson:
"My tank is around the 7 gal mark so it should be fine =) "

The implication of this comment is that you have a larger
tank, say a 10 gallon tank and you have only filled it to
the "7 gallon" point leaving three gallons out of the tank.
That means that your water level is about 2 inches or more
down from the plastic trim. If that heater is the
standard heater that mounts on the back of the tank and
hangs into it, then there is too much of the heater
sticking out of the water.
The heater relies on the tank water to cool the
glass tube while it is running. Many come with a
Minimum Water Level marked on the glass tube of the heater.
Go back and carefully read the instructions that came with
the heater.
I suggest that you fill the tank up to the plastic trim.
Your heater will last far, far, longer before breaking,
and will more efficiently heat the tank.
The rule of thumb is that you allow 5 watts per gallon,
thus, with a 10G tank you should have at least a 50 watt
heater.

Frank


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

What I meant is it's between 6-7 gallons, when filled to that top ^^

I have a 55watt heater in there too, I still have my 25 watt on the other end since it helps heat the other side when it's super cold, I probably need more air flow but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I bought a long black flexable air line it is heavy therefore it sinks. My small rena was not powerfull enough for the full length which I did not want any way. I cut it to size and it is placed very close to the back of the tank and gives a soft air flow most of the length of the tank.

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

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW