mrsmuffin

I know this may sound like a stupid question, but I have a fully submersible heater made by Tetra that I got used with a tank off of Craig's list. I have never set up a heater before, and I don't know what I am doing. (I know, I know, but I live in Texas and I started keeping fish in the Spring...) I need some help! I know it says fully submersible, but does that really mean everything? Like the cord can go down in to the water and everything? Is it supposed to be horizontal? Diagonal? Virtical? This piece of equipment scares me more than anything else I have set up...

Lucy

If it's fully submersible, then yes, the cord goes in the tank (keep the plug dry).

On my visi-therm, I had to set the temp first, put it in the tank, then plug it in. If the tank is long, I'd suggest horizontal, if it's tall vertical would work.
It might take a while for the water to get warm, give it time
Since it's used, I would test it in a bucket with a thermometer first.

Hope that helps.

mrsmuffin

Thanks Lucy! All of my other tanks are still nice and toasty, but the big one is starting to get cooler with the cold front that came through yesterday since it is near a window... Don't want my little angels to get sick!

MrsM3197

If it's like the one I just put in it's a long tube looking device with a temp dial at the top. Stick the tube part in the water (vertically) all the way up to the dial part. The cord does not go into the water. Let the tube part rest in the tank for several minutes (15-30), then plug it in. I didn't have to run a heater in my tanks either until recently.

soldieroffortune1974

Yes,it's ok for the cord to go under the water. Fuly submersible heatrs work best when they are placed horizontally,close to the bottom of the aquarium,away from bubble wands and the inlet/outlet of the filter. Moving water and air will cause it to overheat the aquarium,since the sensors will sense the cooler temp in the current and kick on when it's not necessary.

Lucy

Oh, one more thing whether it's submersible or not, it should have a water level line.
Never let the water go below that line through evaporation.

mrsmuffin

Yes I saw the water level line. Thanks again for the quick help!