My Heater Won’t Heat Up Like Before?

Yesterday I noticed my tank temperature was way lower than usual. The heater is set to 84°, but the tank is only at 70°. Currently on my house it is 57° (it’s so cold due to our wood stove almost catching on fire). I assume that the heater just can’t keep up? But I don’t think I’ve noticed it this low before. The light still comes on indicating it is working, but it’s not heating up as much. The tank size is 65 gallons, with a 300 watt heater. Should I pick up a new heater? Or is there something I can do to fix this? Thanks everyone!

 

Is it a preset heater or is it adjustable? Also how long have you had it? It may be broken or it may just need to be adjusted.

 

Is it a preset heater or is it adjustable? Also how long have you had it? It may be broken or it may just need to be adjusted.

It is adjustable. I got it in July 2017, so not very long.

 

Next time you see the heat indicator light, feel near the heater and see if it is actually putting out heat. Judging by the fact that your tank is back to room temp, the heating coils probably are broken somewhow and so the indicator light shows that it is working when it isnt. You will probably have to buy a new one.

 

Okay I will do. Thank you. It still is above room temperature but not by very much. I’ll check and see if it’s still working or not, thank you.

Next time you see the heat indicator light, feel near the heater and see if it is actually putting out heat. Judging by the fact that your tank is back to room temp, the heating coils probably are broken somewhow and so the indicator light shows that it is working when it isnt. You will probably have to buy a new one.

I placed my hand on the heater, and it is still hot. So if it’s not that what else could it be?

 

Sounds like with the house so cold it just can't keep up. You could try wrapping a blanket around the tank to help insulate it or just get another heater to put in to help the one you have.

 

Agree with david1978 - heater wattage requirement is generally rated for how many degrees above ambient temperature you need the tank to get to.

Wrap yourself (57 - yikes) and the tanks up snugly! You may want to get a second heater (or preferably have the wood stove working again, poor you!)

 

Yeah that’s what I thought it was too! But I always thought 300 watts was overkill for a 65, so I thought it wouldn’t have a problem. I’ll get a new heater, then work on repairing the wood stove. Thanks everyone!

 

Your heater is not strong enough to deal with the big difference between room and ideal tank temperature.
Here is a good link that explains that you not only need to take the size of the aquarium into consideration but also the room temperature.

Try to put insulation around your tank for now. YouYou co cover the sides and top with styrofoam or wool blankets.

Your place is cold!!!!! Hope you and the fishes won't get sick!

 

if you do find that your heater is working, maybe try to put the heater where there is a lot of flow. It will help spread the heat around. I had a similar problem until I did that.

 

Dont feel too bad I went threw that this week. A coal stoker doesn't work very well when the motor that feeds coal to it quits.

 

Thanks everyone for the help! I insulated the tank with blankets, then it stopped raining so I was able to fix the wood stove! Now the tank is 80° and my house is 70°. No fish were lost! Thanks everyone!

 

Depending on the type of heater you have, a recalibration maybe in order. I know that eheim heaters sometimes need to be recalibrated. It's not hard to do depending on which heater yiu have.

Maybe this helps save your cold fish a bit. Also I have a 300 watt in my 100 gallon with no temperature issues.

Good luck.