Slight Disaster

[Sharon]

I was doing water changes this AM, and when I put my arm in one of my 30gal tanks, the water was warm enough to bathe in!!! It was 94 degrees!!! The darn submersible heaters that I have in all my tanks are problematic, and that's all that's available here. I proceeded quickly with a water change, trying to cool the tank slowly, but fish were dying as I drained. I refilled slowly, and at one point there were dying fish on the bottom everywhere, including my Three Spot Gourami. I started netting out the dead, and some were still wiggling, so I decided to wait. Many revived. They were laying on their sides, but recovered. I did lose several Harlies, and a couple of Neons though...:scry:

[-Lp]

Heaters worry me. Always afraid of just that. Glad it wasn't a total disater.

[HorrorShowRot]

Sorry to hear that. Did you bump the heater by accident the night or so before? Iv done the exact same thing once sorry to hear about your problem. I would leave the light off for a while. Just so the fish will feel less in danger.

[Sharon]

It was still at the proper setting. I think it just got stuck on....

[lahlumdi]

Wow - glad you put your arm in the water. Also glad you were able to revive some of your fish.

[HorrorShowRot]

I would put the heater into a bucket and just keep an eye on it. Do you have a spare heater lying around anywhere for the tank?

[Crispy]

This is why I use digital thermometers that have a decent size readout screen. I can see my temp while sitting on the couch. Seen some at petsmart for like $15 (topfin brand I believe)... worth the small investment IMO. I use a coralife one.

[Sharon]

I have it in the tank right now. It's working properly now, going on and off, but obviously I can't trust it. I'll have to replace it, unfortunately with the same model...:scry:

The thing is, I usually check temps daily, but lately I've been busy, and forgetting to do it.

[Northernguy]

Thats terrible Sharon!
Sorry to hear it.

What about ordering something different on line?

[Aeonflame]

Oh man. It might be a good idea to buy one online, no sense in having the same problems all over again.

This is one of the reasons I'm glad to be living in the Caribbean.

[Sharon]

I've never ordered anything online(blush) ...but I may have to consider it this time...

[tori.lock]

The store around me doesn't have great selection so I order most everything online. Right now is a good time to buy because a lot of places are cutting back on shipping costs or have sales going for the holiday season.

[Deleted User]

Sharon --

I'm sorry you lost some fish, but really glad you noticed the temperature and saved the ones you could save! Heaters worry me, too, but we need them if we want tropical fish (at least with my house's climate, we do).

Thanks for the heads up to us all, too. I bet there are going to be some people remembering to keep a close eye on their water temps thanks to reading your post.

Good job doing what you did!

Jill

[Rue]

A[Only Registered Users Can See Links.] sorry about your fish....:scry:

[rich311k]

That sucks. Sorry for the losses. Glad you noticed in time to save most of them.

[Braccus]

This is why I use digital thermometers that have a decent size readout screen. I can see my temp while sitting on the couch. Seen some at petsmart for like $15 (topfin brand I believe)... worth the small investment IMO. I use a coralife one.

I had one of the digital thermometers until my fish seemed to stay sick and lackluster. It keep reading 80 degree's which was what I wanted but my tank water just felt to cold to me. So I went and bought a cheap 3 dollar one from Walmart, put it in my tank and waited 30 minutes only to find out my water was really 70 degree's.

For a quick reading digital thermometers are great just remember to keep those batteries changed often!

[Northernguy]

Sharon check this out.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Sharon]

Thanks Ray!:ssmile: I actually still had warranty on the heater, so Ken just got home with a replacement for now. I've just netted another Harlie, so I guess it's not over yet. The Neons are are looking good though.I've got three Harlies left out of seven...I am so ticked!!!:scry:

This heater(I've had trouble with three of them) is a Tetra Submersible. Are they noted for being crap?

[Rue]

I'm not familiar with them.

I've had several heaters...all were okay except for the Red Sea that came with my Red Sea Max...

I like the Marlineland Stealth...

Sorry you're still having issues...:scry:

[gadget228]

So sorry that your heater got your fish but wanted to say that buying online is the best way to go, better selection, better prices and you can check reviews to see what luck others have had.

Before you order anything online , be sure to read the return/shipping policy and the websites terms and conditions, these two items will let you know just how good the company is.

Dr Foster and Smith is one that has always treated me fair.

[bushwhacker]

i've come real close to making fish soup a time or two. i feel your pain sharon

[Sharon]

Thanks. I can deal with fish deaths when it's something that I could not have prevented...but this really ticks me off.

[Wild Turkey]

Sorry to hear about this sharon :(


Get yourself a stealth heater online Its worth it for the peace of mind! You almost never hear of other types of heaters going peacefully