My heater makes me nervous...

[CinRell]

Hello! This is my first post and I've not explored the site too much but had a question I wanted to be sure to get "in here" asap.

I just set up a new aquarium... my old one had a nick and my bf got me a new one for Xmas. It's just a 5 gallon... I'm a betta lover and plan to get one once I'm cycled, etc.

My old heater was unreliable.. a little cheap thing that was touchy.. so I got the whisper heater model 2-15 that self regulates for 2-10 gallon tanks.

Apparently, THIS heater is to be COMPLETELY submersed, including part of the power cord?? I emailed them and they were pretty unclear about this, saying the heater was to be submersed and to leave at least an inch between heater and gravel.

On their diagram the heater is laying on the bottom of the tank... seemingly under the gravel?? Anyway, it makes me VERY nervous to put the cord in the water like that.. is this 100% safe and does anyone have photos of such a thing? I need convincing... I'm SO conditioned to keep cords DRY!

[KneeKickLou]

I have a submersable heater however I do not have mine completely underneth the water I have it just high enough where I can adjust it without getting wet :) but I am sure that these type of heaters are fine to be placed completly under the water.

[danthefishman]

yeah the heaters are completly water tite like your pump but you dont have it touching the gravel as the gravel will get hot and could burn the fish.

[jeffs99dime]

yes. if it is a fully submersible heater then you can place it and the cord into the aquarium. just position the heater about an inch or so above the gravel line as specified. you're safe-- IF it's a submersible heater!

[CinRell]

Ok... I'll submerse it... this scares me LOL.. there is nothing to adjust apparently it's supposed to adjust itself. It's bigger than my old one. I'm hoping my fish is smart enough not to rub against it. My old fish wasn't but that heater was a piece of poo.

Thanks for your fast replies! I'm looking forward to becoming part of this community!!

Warning... I'm photohappy:)

[Abbeys_Mom]

If you are worried about the power cord it's alway good practice to make a loop in the cord and tie it with a twist-tie. That way if water does run down the cord it won't go into the outlet.

[CinRell]

Thanks I"ll definitely do the loop.. I was more worried about the part of the cord I"m putting under water! eeks! Mom always taught me NOT to get cords wet.. EVER. I don't want to catch my house on fire or electrocute myself.. or my niece.. or my fish!

[Abbeys_Mom]

I keep all my electronics that are connected to my aquarium plugged into a power bar, then when I am cleaning the tank I can flip the switch on it to turn everything off. I got a nasty shock once from an aquarium when I was a kid. I got thrown back 10' and if the shock had crossed my heart (ie. both hands in the tank) I would be dead. I have been careful ever since. That is also when I learned that fish aren't grounded. Just because they are still alive when a light falls in the tank, doesn't make it safe for you, lol.

[jeffs99dime]

If you are worried about the power cord it's alway good practice to make a loop in the cord and tie it with a twist-tie. That way if water does run down the cord it won't go into the outlet.

the drip loop should be done with every piece of equipment on you tank too!

[Drumachine09]

the drip loop should be done with every piece of equipment on you tank too!


GOOD CALL!!!!

[Lady Hobbs]

I'd be more worried about the fact you can not regulate the temp. A 5 gallon tank can get pretty warm without an adjustment of some kind.

[CinRell]

It is a self regulating heater. It automatically keeps the water at about 78 degrees:)