Heater not being consistent?

Hi all,
I have a 10 gallon tank that is almost done cycling. I have been using the heater for over a week and it is 50 watts. It seems off by about 10 degrees (so I have to set it to 90 to get the water to 80). The thing is, over the past few days it's been juggling between 78 and 80. Usually stays consistent for a day or at least a few hours and then it'll drop or raise by a degree. Will this inconsistency be too much for a dwarf puffer? Should I get a new heater? My house is pretty cold (63 at night, 68 during day and that's in the spring).

 

What kind of heater and how long have you had it for. Is it plugged into a power bar?

 

What kind of heater and how long have you had it for. Is it plugged into a power bar?

Yes into a power strip, have had it for a week. HIWOT 50W adjustable heater

 

Is the heater sufficiently submerged? Any way possible the heat is lost? Like too close to a AC or a window?

 

Is the heater sufficiently submerged? Any way possible the heat is lost? Like too close to a AC or a window?

Well it has a 'minimum water amount' line and the water is definitely above that. And I'm not sure. I have my tank about two feet away from a giant window but it's always closed and has blinds covering it. I'm not sure if heat really is being lost, it just keeps going from 79.4 for a few hours, to 78.4 for a few hours, and back and forth. If this isn't going to really affect my puffers then it's fine (which is why I made the post). I'll keep an eye on it of course and I'll use a different heater if needed.

 

One degree difference (and not even celsius which would be a bigger difference) is normal. Heaters only turn on for short periods of time to get the water to the preselected temperature and turn off as soon as that temp is reached.

I'd be concerned if there was more than 3-4 celsius degrees difference.

 

One degree difference (and not even celsius which would be a bigger difference) is normal. Heaters only turn on for short periods of time to get the water to the preselected temperature and turn off as soon as that temp is reached.

I'd be concerned if there was more than 3-4 celsius degrees difference.

2 degrees is the most it's gone up or down and that usually takes a while. I'll worry less about it then, thanks.