My annoying Heater..

Hepcat021 · 08-11-2006, 11:38 AM

Hello, my heater has a High water level mark on it. The manual say you should keep it at this line marked on it or it will not properly work. Simple enough I guess...but the level it indicated is so high it hinders my power filter from properly oxygenating the water. So I have tried to use it with a water level below the line. The heater does work but not that well. The brand is called thermo. Has anyone ran into this kind of problem or maybe know of a good but cheap heater I could get that would not give me this problem.

Thanks Again
Bill

Jay · 08-11-2006, 11:52 AM

Hi Bil...

There are lots of good heaters out there, depends on your budget. IME you will be happier with a completely submersible one then you don't have to worry about it.

I do not understand the oxygenation part of your post. All you need is some mild surface movement, agitation of the water surface, to maximize O2 dissolving into the aquarium water.

Jay

Hepcat021 · 08-11-2006, 12:15 PM

I am starting to understand the oxygenating process, but what I have noticed when I put the water level to the appropriate level for my heater that there is less surface agitation. I also notice that soon after my guppies start spending all there time near the surface and often gulping for air. This I read was a sign of a oxygenation problem. When the level is lower( not by that much) they seem ok, but I can not keep a temp higher then 75- 76 degrees.

Thanks
Bill

drfong · 08-11-2006, 12:49 PM

Get a submersable. You can also use a cheap air pump/air stone to help.

neonlife102 · 08-15-2006, 05:52 PM

Be careful when considering a submersable heater. The quality varies from brand to brand. And an airstone or two would work wonders for you, maybe check out a bubble wall, they serve their purpose, and add a really cool visual effect to your tank.

ahill3780 · 08-18-2006, 05:44 PM

Contrary to what many may think, the submersable heaters are more practicle than those that hang on the back. A submersable heater does not run the constant risk of cracking from air exposure because its design allows you to place it very low (and horizontally) within the tank where you would never let your water level drop to.

Bill,

Wal-mart carries a submersable heater for $13 that I have used for all of my 10 gallon tanks. They are robust, heat the tank very well, and are very low cost. Otherwise using a powerhead will give you the ability to agitate the waters surface, and add heat to the tank all at once.

As far as methods that don't require $$$, I am at a loss. If I think of something I will definately post it up for you though!

Hepcat021 · 08-18-2006, 11:06 PM

My heater does hang on the side , but the heating tube itself is submersed in the water. Seems to me it is a submersable heater. It cost a few bucks more then the wal-mart brand you speak of. Only part not in the water is a plastic housing that has a knob to control how often the heater runs. What I was squaking about is simply that the tube submersed in the water has a water level line at the top. According to the instructions the heater will constantly turn on and off at inappopriate times if it is not at the level. This would be no big deal but the way my filter hung if I filled it to that level there was almost no flow created and that was with it being hiked up as high as its design would allow.

Anyway I feel I have corrected this by manually rigging it so it is high enough. So I guess I solved that problem. All I worry about now is proper oxygenation...I'll solve that problem when I have money again. Though I am always worrying, especially about my very inactive guppies who pretty much just hang near the top and hide behind my filter. I think I also need to get some taller fake plants for them.

I appreciate all the advice,
BILL

Hepcat021 · 09-04-2006, 01:24 PM

I see what a submersable heater is now...darn I feel dumb.

Thanks
BILL

Loman · 09-04-2006, 01:37 PM

Bill,
One other thing with he fully submersible ones is that they seal the system so that the potential of getting shocked is greatly reduced. That improves the overal quality IMO. I had a freshwater tank several years back and just before discovering submersible heaters had a problem where the water got into the area it should not and electrocuted the fish. I also had a heater that shorted out - more or less and stayed on all the time due to water getting into the control area which was also a disaster. From my experience submersible is the way to go. It also lets you hide it behind rocks or something - although I would not have it in direct contact with rocks or other decorations