HELP! Heater issue

[angellover]

I got the new Stealth 200W heater. I set it to 73 for my 46 gallon goldfish tank. However I see a reading of 78 on my therometer. Is there anything wrong with my heater? It seems to be that it didn't shut itself off after it reached 73. I just pull the plug before it grill all my goldfish. any idea is appreciated! By the way, I placed the heater close to where the water comes out from the filter.

[Twe3k]

what is your water temp before the heater? Is it possible the water temp itself is just higher then what the heater is set at?

[Lab_Rat]

The stealths are usually pretty reliable, have you turned it all the way down? Also, what is your room temperature? My tanks will run a couple of degrees higher than exactly where they're set but that is due to the fact that my apt will get up to 80-82 degrees sometimes.

[angellover]

it was 76 before I put the new Stealth heater there yesterday afternoon. it kept it around 75 and 76 yesterday evening/night. When I checked this morning, it got up to 78. If the water termp is higher than what I set for the heater, the heater should NOT even turned on. right? I have the heater place horizontally now. Does it make a difference if I place it verically?

[jaysee]

I've found that too, and I use stealths in all my tanks. A secondary fine tuning is needed to get thew exact temp desired.

[rich311k]

Do not go by the dial on the heater it is probably not right. just lower it a smidge and check. eventually you will get it set where you want it to be.

[angellover]

I thought Stealth is pretty reliable since I already got one that works in my other 55 G tank. Unfortunately, this one seems to be off by a lot. Not sure if it is my problem or if it is the heater's problem.

[dragoonwoman]

I read where the Stealth heaters should NOT be placed horizontally. At an angle or straight up is fine.

Also, Stealths tend to vary a bit from what the dial reads. As someone already suggested, nudge it back a bit, day by day, until you get what you want. They are very well made heaters, so I doubt you got a faulty one, but it can happen.

I wonder if the heater isn't just a bit too powerful for your tank. The Stealth I have in my 35 is only 100 watts, and it holds the temperature rock steady at 78 degrees.

Just one question: Why do you have a heater in your goldfish tank at all? From everything I've read, they are cold water fish, and do not require a heater in their tank. I know they can even survive a winter outside in a pond, as long as they have mud to burrow into at the bottom.

[jaysee]

I thought Stealth is pretty reliable since I already got one that works in my other 55 G tank. Unfortunately, this one seems to be off by a lot. Not sure if it is my problem or if it is the heater's problem.

Then exchange it, but you'll still need to fine tune it to get the exact temp.

I don't think it matters what angle it's kept at.

[angellover]

We have freezing temp in the Northwest. I am not sure if they will survive in freezing temp since these goldfish were imported from southern China. So I have the heater in case if there is any power outage during winter storm. By the way, I have a backup battery that can power small appliance including the aquarium heater.

[dragoonwoman]

I live in New England in an 18th Century house (built 1760's). I understand COLD rooms, believe me. But even in a power outage in winter it never got to freezing inside the house.

Glad to hear you have a Plan B, just in case. Unfortunately, I don't other than battery powered air pumps. I'd just wrap the tank in a blanket, to slow the heat loss.

[jaysee]

The smaller the tank, the faster the heat loss.

[hari-goshi]

Then exchange it, but you'll still need to fine tune it to get the exact temp.


I agree. Ive had to readjust all my heaters to get the desired temp.

[Sarkazmo]

I wonder if the heater isn't just a bit too powerful for your tank. The Stealth I have in my 35 is only 100 watts, and it holds the temperature rock steady at 78 degrees.

It doesn't matter if the heater is over rated for the tank, when it reaches it's set temp it should shut off, it'll just heat the water faster than an appropriately rated heater.


Just one question: Why do you have a heater in your goldfish tank at all? From everything I've read, they are cold water fish, and do not require a heater in their tank. I know they can even survive a winter outside in a pond, as long as they have mud to burrow into at the bottom.
Although they're a cold water fish a heater is almost a must because of constant temperature swings as the room they're in heats and cools off. This constant temp change will weaken the fish and make them more prone to disease and other issues. A constant temp is always preferable to constantly changing temp.

Is the heater's power light on even when the tank's up to 78 degrees? If the power light doesn't go out no matter what it's set at then you've got a defective heater. If the power lamp comes on and goes off then you've got it set too high. Backing off a couple clicks everyday until you reach the desired temp is the best way to handle the situation. But again, if that power light never goes off no matter the setting then you've got a bad heater and need to get it replaced.

Sark

[Lady Hobbs]

I just adjusted the new one I got last week, too. Could be tank lights warmed the water up during the day and it hadn't cooled off yet by morning when you checked it?

[angellover]

I have the tank light off before I went to bed last night, so I don't think it has to do with the tank light. There is no power indicator in the Stealth heater. At least I am not aware of one. I was worried about that the sensor does not know how to shut itself off. I have no problem of trying to adjust it slowly till the temp I want. In fact, that's what I am trying now. Thanks all!

[domjd05]

I use the exact same heater, in the exact same size tank, and yes mine is set on 75, and the tank therm reads 78.