Heater - Good or Bad?

[Scrubs]

I have your basic low end aquarium heater made by Top Fin. It seems to fluctuate a good 5 to 6 degrees from its on to off stages.

Is this to much fluctuation or is this normal? Thanks!!

[MeganL3985]

Honestly I would never go with a low end heater for just that reason. It should not fluctuate that much and 5-6 degree's will create a stressful environment for your fish. I think I have heard someone say a tanks temperature should never fluctuate more than 2-3 degree's in a day.

[zackish]

That's weird because I got the heater I have now with my TopFin kit and it works excellent. My tank stays exactly 79 all day and night.
Yours is fluctuating a lot so I would say go with a visi-therm or something. Heaters really aren't that expensive and visi-therm is one of the better brands.

[cocoa_pleco]

fluctuating is bad, causes stress, and can prone ich. go with a better heater like a hagen or a visi-therm

[Scrubs]

Thanks! I'll go pick up one.:22:

[Kuli_Loach]

stealth heaters are the best and most people will agree with me.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I have a low end Heater Penplex and only time it fluctuates is when my Aircondition broke this summer or when it gets over 95F outside. And when it is 95F outside it then does not happy all the trime.

[Oto]

I have had two bad experiences with Low-End Heaters. When I first had my 10 gallon, 3 years ago the heater switch stuck on. The tank temp. was 92 degrees. The fish where stressed but lived. Then I bought another heater, Medium Grade Heater, same thing happened.
I run two high end heaters one in each of my aquariums. Never one problem, they work amazing.
Go High-End with heaters:) Saves you money in the long run.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Fluctuating heaters are very bad. Get a new one!