sirdarksol

Keiji died today, and I should have noticed why.
He was acting sluggish this morning, and he had white patches on his skin. I did water parameter tests, and they came up golden, except for pH, which was high. I did a water change and figured I'd check on him later.
I should have noticed, while I was doing the water change, that the water was warmer than it should have been. I have no idea how I missed it. His tank is set at 80 degrees, which is warmer than my other tanks, but the water is currently temping out at over 90 degrees. Nothing has bumped his heater, it's still set at 80 degrees.
I can't believe that I didn't notice, while I was sticking my hand into the water that it was ten degrees higher than it should have been.

So now I have to figure out what happened with the heater. It was a Hydor Theo Water heater. The temperature dial was stiff enough that there really was no way for it to be bumped to a different temp (aside from that, it's still set at 80). The only thing that I can see wrong with its setup right now is that there is some water wysteria touching the bottom end of the heater. Aside from that, there is nothing touching the heater. The temperature in my house has dropped, and nothing has changed about how long the lights are on, so I have to think that it was the heater, rather than being environmental.

The big question is, would a clump of plants cause the heater to go into overdrive or not? Does anyone know where in the hydor heaters the thermostat is located?

Butterfly

The only way I see a clump of plants causing even the remotest problem is if they are blocking the water flow around the heater. Probably not even then. sounds like the heater stuck on. most of us have had this happen at least once. don't beat your self up over this. I am sorry you lost your fish
Carol

sirdarksol

The only reason that I feel so bad about this is because I should have looked at the thermometer this morning, when everything was going wrong and the water seemed warm to me. I just figured the water felt warm because I was used to how cold Miyamoto's tank is.

Butterfly

I know it's hard to lose one of our babies. Hang in there.
Carol

COBettaCouple

we had something similiar happen a few days ago.. the visitherm deluxe heater in our Betta Mickey's tank went nuts during the night and just started heating constantly.. that's the 2nd visitherm deluxe that's gone thermal on us like that. we're sorry your heater took your Keiji.

sirdarksol

Thanks folks. Doing better today. Still ticked at myself a bit, but not so bad. Now I've just got to find a Japanese Fire Bush for Keiji's next home. So late in the season, this is going to be difficult.
So after this, I've started looking at backups, and I'm trying to figure out why the backup thermostats, the kind that cut power to the heater once the temperature reaches a certain point, are so expensive.
I guess I'll be getting a thermometer alarm for each of the tanks for now. I wish they didn't rely on batteries, though. I would much prefer ones that plug in. (If anyone knows of such a thing, please inform me)

COBettaCouple

i have seen some heaters with automatic cut-offs as well as temp. alarms at petsmart.

Butterfly

This is what I use now and I have never had a problem with them. Plus the dial to set the temp is on the outside of the tank so you can see more clearly what you're setting it at.http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...72&pcatid=8172
CoBettaCouple- I believe the visitherm deluxe heater is the one I had experience with it sticking and staying on.
Carol

COBettaCouple

well after having 2 (out of 3) of them go gonzo, i won't be recommending (or buying) visitherm heaters anymore. i think a heater should last more than around 4 months (can you say "waste of money"?) and a failure rate like that is pathetic.

sirdarksol

How stiff is the temp dial, Butterfly? I have very curious cats, and there's nowhere I can put the dial that they won't have a chance to paw at it or walk across it. I can, however, put it somewhere that it will only be an idle passing thing, rather than purposefully playing with it.
(I suppose I can also tape it down)

armadillo

I think it could happen to anyone, you know. I am really sorry it happened to your fish.

We cannot find two thermometers that will say the same temperature. It's so frustrating. We went digital, but these were 10 degrees off!

Bonochick

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Don't be too hard on yourself, that could have happened to anyone. Surely we all have our stories.