Bad Wolf

Right now it's winter down in AUS, VIC, and the temp is around 18 C (64 F). The temp may drop as low as as 10 C (50 F), even lower at times, maybe 2 C (35 F). Right now the fish tanks temp is unbalanced, i think. The tank is around (180-200 liters) 43 - 50 gallons. The heater is 200 watts. The thermometer is on the right of the tank and the heater is on the left of the tank, next to the filter.

The heater turns off by itself (the red light stops glowing). Does this mean the heater has reached its set temperature? It turns off but the thermometer says 24 C. (The heater is set to 26 C). (Please continue reading).

The temp is around (24 C) 75 F, according to the thermometer. I don't want it to drop below 22 C (72 F). Should i get a second thermometer on the left of the tank to see the temp on both sides?

The heater is set to 26 C (78 F). If i put it to 80 or 82 F (27 or 28 C), would it keep the tank warmer? As I said before it still turns off. I don't want it to be too hot because i have dainos and a tandanus catfish that aren't supposed to go over 26C.

I don't want to buy another heater because where i live it isn't cheap and i don't trust ebay.

Sorry it's so long, thanks for any answers.

Matt

1 - Yes when the red light turns off the heater has reached its set temperature and when the tank drop belows that temperature the heater will turn on again and warm up the tank again.

2- The temperature in the tank is the same throughout the entire tank so there is no need to get a 2nd thermometer.

3- I would leave the heater at 26 C because that way you know your fish will be alright and you dont run the risk of losing them.

Judging by this post a second heater in my opinion would be a waste of money.

I Hope This Helps You

Feel Free to ask anymore questions

-Matt

Bad Wolf

If the heater has reached its set temp and turns off, why is the temp only 24C?

Matt

Check that it is actually set to 26 C because maybe it has been lowered down and you cant remember or maybe it has recently reached its temp and dropped down and now it is starting to warm up the tank again

-Matt

aquarist48

Please remember heat rises. I would suggest putting your thermometer in the bottom of your tank if it isn't already. Too, it would be a good idea to have your heater horizontally a few inches away from the bottom. (when you have the means, a 2nd heater would help and thus give you a spare)

Lucy

Something to keep in mind, some heaters might be off a by a couple of degrees. You'll have to adjust it accordingly.

Lifesabeach

To back up Lucy's comment, I have 2 x300 watt heaters set at 24, but my thermometer reads a constant 27C.

Bad Wolf

my heater is in a diagonal position, right nest to my filters current. it is at the bottom half of the tank on the left. my thermometer is at the bottom right of the tank.

would the thermometer be saying it's 24 because of the temp outside the tank? it's staying at 24 but the heater is constantly turning on and off.

and i also have a breeder tank that is is set to 26 but it is at 27 or 28. any ideas why,

also i have an axolotl tank. like i said, it gets really cold here. does he need a heater just for the winter months?

thanks

prairielilly

From your first post it sounds like there's a lot of temperature swings where you live. I've got that too, we'll go from -5 C to 20 C within 24 h (outside, but my house is sorta drafty so 5-10 degree swings aren't unheard of).

Usually, water in a container will stay a few degrees below the ambient temperature of the room, unless it's got 'help' ie. your heater. However it takes a bit of time for the water temperature to change, and also a bit of time for the heater to turn on and off. What I'm getting at is that unless your house stays within a say, 5 degree range, you can expect a little bit of temperature fluctuation in your aquarium too, that's normal, it's just science.

I've got 4 different brands of heaters going at the moment and they ALL fluctuate a bit, it really seems to depend on where the tank is. None of them make the tank what I set them for either, if I set it for 79 F I get 77 F...but it stays within a degree or two. If the temp in the tank is NOT fluctuating by more than 2-3 degrees between day and night, I wouldn't worry. It also sounds like a second heater really isn't necessary for you right now.

I always put the heater diagonally across the back of the tank (read they work better when the top is higher than the bottom) and ONE thermometer on the opposite side. Everyone does something different though.

Bad Wolf

thanks

grump

Hi Bad Wolf what type of thermometer are you using if it the kind that you stick on the out side of the tank and it changes colour at the temp they are off a few degrees lower to what it is in the tank...the best ones to use are the ones that are right in the water or a digtal with a prob in the water...hope this helps Rob

Bad Wolf

yes, it is a stick on and it is usually colored three temps all at once (eg. 23C,24C,25C), so i just use the middle colored one.

grump

Here are the best ones too use IMO...the ones that you stick on the outside of the tank are allways a little lowwer then the temp in the tank they will work fine but just remumber too add 2 degress to what ever it says....
Rob

Here a couple of pic's of the thermometers and a link tou can see them...


http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...l0/accessories

001.jpg

002.jpg

Bad Wolf

thanx

Tavel

the sticky thermometers are quite accurate, however they will read a lower temperature if they're placed near the bottom of the tank.

You can use a kitchen thermometer to measure the temperature at the surface, that reading will usually match the setting of the heater because hot water rises toward the top.

I just checked my tank. the sticky thermometer near the bottom reads 24-25C (75-76F), the kitchen thermometer in the top reads 25.8C (78.5F)

How to read liquid crystal type thermometers:

Orange: temperature is below indicated
Green: temperature is exactly as indicated
Blue: temperature is above indicated

You'll also sometimes see some combination of two colors. For example, a greenish-blue indicator means the temperature is only slightly above indicated.