Go Figure!!

[j0hnh0lmes]

So my fiance went & bought me a heater since I've been bitching about needing one & being broke. First though was awesome I can finally get rid of my ich. It's a Top Fin 300w (rated for a 60g). I put it in my 29g, which is half the size.

So I take it out of the package and set it up in my tank. Mind you I set it up right under my HOB so the flow helps the internal thermostat to be more accurate. I let it sit 20-30 min before I turned it on; instructions state 15. Finally get it on and the tank warms up to 78 so I turn it up all the way. The package states max is 89 degrees and I need the tank around 88. I check on the tank every 15-30 min to make sure the tank doesn't get hotter than it needs to. First 30 min...still 78. Second 15-30 min....still 78. Whatever, I'll just let it sit for awhile and check it in a few hours. I check it before bed and the tank is now 81.*I think to myself* w00t It just takes awhile to heat up I guess....... I woke up this morning and the tank is still 81. WTF?? So I take it out of the tank to be returned today. I hope none of my fish die from the major changes in water temp. =(

I made sure the setting was all the way up, the current is running over it, or anything else that could be causing it to not heat up properly. All okay! I hate defects!!!

[j0hnh0lmes]

After visiting 2 petsmarts (the first didn't have the item) I exchanged the heater for a Rena Smartheater 200w. It smells like electrical. IDK any better way to put it. Is this normal?

[Brhino]

electrical things generally shouldn't smell... does it smell burnt?

[j0hnh0lmes]

It's kind of hard to tell. But I can deff smell the "electrical" smell as soon as I open the box.

[j0hnh0lmes]

So nobody with this heater want to comment?

[HeatherH]

The smell is just new plastic. Give it a good rinse and try it out.

Good luck this go around.

[j0hnh0lmes]

The smell is just new plastic. Give it a good rinse and try it out.

Good luck this go around.

I wish I could say it was. I deff know the difference in the smell as I have a buddy that is an electrician that comes home smelling like "electrical" smell everyday. I may just try another store & exchange it b/c honestly it looks used. The box is all torn & there was no instructions in the box. I don't need the instructions but it's the fact that I don't want to kill my fish when I could have just stopped by another store to be safe. "Better safe than sorry."

Thanks for everybodys help!