2 identical heaters & tanks - diff temps

[BettaMomma]

So...
I have 2 tanks - 2.5G glass tanks - sitting side by side here at work.
They both have Hydor Mini Heaters in them.
I just looked at Jasper's thermometer, and it's at a scorching 86 degrees! YIKES.
The crazy thing is that the tank right next to his (Amos' old tank) is at 78 degreees, same heater, same size tank, same level of water, etc. etc.

These things are supposed to raise the temp between 2 - 5 degrees.
What the heck?

Get a diff heater and try that?

 

[MAM]

silly question, but do you have the same thermometer in there as well?
is one of them closer to a cold window/door or in direct sunlight at all?

 

[MissD]

I've had that happen before and couldn't figure out what was going on as there didn't seem to be a difference in temperature when I poked my finger in the tanks.

I would suggest new thermometers, unless you've felt the water and there is something wrong with the heaters...

 

[BettaMomma]

I took the thermometer off the one tank (78 degree one) and put it on the other tank. It shot off the chart - that one only went to 82 degrees.

I'm going to get a new heater tonight, screw it.
I can't risk cooking a fish - losing another one at work isn't an option.
I'll unplug it for tonight - it's very warm in our office.

fyi - the tanks are side by side - neither are in direct sunlight, there's no drafts or anything. It's nuts. completely nuts.

 

[nashnutny]

I've found in the past that particular heater ran a little higher. I haven't found one yet that I've hooked up out of the box that's been at the same temperature. I need to regulate them all.

 

[BettaMomma]

Unfortunately I can't regulate the ones I get - they're the hydor mini heaters, the only ones that work in my 2.5G tanks. They just boost the temp between 2 - 5 degrees.

I'm just going to get another one and try it.
If it get it in his tank and it runs cooler, I'll just return the other one and tell them I don't really care to have fish soup for breakfast some morning when I get to the office.

 

[BettaMomma]

ooh GRR
I went and picked up a new mini hydor heater and replaced the one in Jasper's tank with this new one - thinking the old one was faulty.
SAME DARN THING.

It's hanging right around up to 86 degrees.
When I unplugged it the other night, the temp dropped down to 74.

However, the tank right next to it starts out at 74, and when THAT mini hydor heater is plugged in, it only goes up to 78.

I also got a different thermometer for the hot tank - the kind that sticks on the side INSIDE the tank with the red stuff in it that goes up to the temp it is registering. 86 on that thermo. there too!

SOOOO.....
Would I be better off to just unplug it and let him be in 74 degree water, or leave it be at 84 - 86 all the time?

 

[MissD]

That's strange!

Some may disagree, but I would unplug the heater and leave him in 74º if it's going to be a steady temperature, rather than changing it all the time which could cause problems. All 12 of mine are kept in water at room temperature 74-76º and they're absolutely fine.

That's what I would advise...good luck!

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll just do that.
I would think the 74 degrees would be better for him than the 86 - for being in it all the time. He's very active and everything, but at that high of temps aren't they more prone to bacteria starting up in the tank?

 

[Jen21]

I have had terrible luck with several heaters.... the temps never stay stable... I need to buy a new heater for my 30 gallon too... its not worth taking the chance of getting too hot.

 

[BettaMomma]

The thing is that I've had several of these little heaters and they've all worked beautifully. It's just in this one tank.

 

[3fsh]

Actually, I think it would be best to keep the heater plugged in. I have a mini heater (not sure if it's "hydor" brand) that is in Spikes tank which keeps the water at a constant 85-86 degree temp and he is doing VERY well. He eats like a pig and has never had any diseases since he recovered from his bout of ich (he had it before I brought him home... actually, I think the high temperature is what helped him recover so quickly). Plus, 86 degrees is much closer to their temperature in the wild than 74 degrees. (Average temp there is about 80 degrees! )

 

[phishphood]

What happens if you switch the tanks round so that the other one is on the side that the one with the problem was on?

 

[BettaMomma]

I may have just figured out the problem.

Both tanks sit on my desk side by side.
the warmer one sits right next to my laptop which could be kicking out heat from its fan throughout the day.

I'll try moving him away from my computer and see if that helps

 

[phishphood]

That's probably it, if your laptop is anything like mine it kicks out a LOT of heat!