Heaters...help My Tank Is Too Cool!

[sammclean23]

I suppose the possibilities are as follows:
 
You've been unlucky and had two duff heaters.
The heaters are poor quality, and the stats aren't working correctly.
The heaters aren't up to the job, ie too low wattage.
You have an issue with the extension lead/socket that is killing your heaters.
You have a devious fish that is messing around with it!
 
Incidentally, is the tank near an open window/door or somewhere getting a draft. Temperature swings could be causing it to be working too much maybe.
Unplug it,and put it in a bowl of cold water to see if it actually comes on. Is there a little orange lamp on it to tell you it's actually heating?

'Heaters aren't up to the job' - can rule this out as it was a few days ago
'issue with extension' - quite possible, I will try direct into the mains in a bowl later
'windows/doors' - no where near mate.
 
regarding the orange light, this is what I was saying above, it comes on but only for a few minutes. This is the case with both heaters.
 
Please bear in mind that for 9 months, my tank has stayed no lower than 24C, it has only risen in warm weather.
 
Seriously thanks for the help, I'm not sure there's anything else you can do for now so I will post up what happens later on and I can go from there...

 

[8511swann]

The orange light thing means it's working correctly, or as intended. It only comes on when the thermostat in the heater detects a drop in temperature, and the coil is heated up. Then it goes out when up to the temp. Could be a dodgey thermosat in the heater I suppose.

 

[sammclean23]

The orange light thing means it's working correctly, or as intended. It only comes on when the thermostat in the heater detects a drop in temperature, and the coil is heated up. Then it goes out when up to the temp. Could be a dodgey thermosat in the heater I suppose.

But for both to fail? seems odd to me. Ill test later and post back up here

 

[8511swann]

Well,I suppose the best thing to do would be to return it, or speak to Juwel.

 

[sammclean23]

Well,I suppose the best thing to do would be to return it, or speak to Juwel.

Will test everything later. I won't let this beat me unless it is actually screwed....

 

[214jay]

I know its been working for 9 months but just a thought....Do you have good water movement in the tank?  Could it just be heating the water adjacent to the heater and turning off thinking the whole tank is hot?  Just my 2 cents!

 

[sammclean23]

I know its been working for 9 months but just a thought....Do you have good water movement in the tank?  Could it just be heating the water adjacent to the heater and turning off thinking the whole tank is hot?  Just my 2 cents!

I did a short test running it on suckers on the glass with the same result, however I suppose I should do a proper test over night in this way. Will keep this thread updated. Good suggestion btw!

 

[sammclean23]

Right, took heater out, cleaned filter. replace heater and it's been @24C for at least 7 hours now. Not sure why, maybe the water wasn't moving free enough around the filter as said above?

 

[mark4785]

When you prepare for a water change are you taking the heater out of the water or are you removing the water in such a way that the heater makes contact with air soon after it is turned off?
 
I know that heaters can be easily damaged if they are taken out of the water while they are still hot so you might want to look into this as a possible cause.
 
I now use a Juwel Aquarium with a Juwel heater and I can't say this brand of heater is any worse, in terms of temperature accuracy, than other branded heaters (i.e. Cayman, Fluval etc).

 

[sammclean23]

When you prepare for a water change are you taking the heater out of the water or are you removing the water in such a way that the heater makes contact with air soon after it is turned off?
 
I know that heaters can be easily damaged if they are taken out of the water while they are still hot so you might want to look into this as a possible cause.
 
I now use a Juwel Aquarium with a Juwel heater and I can't say this brand of heater is any worse, in terms of temperature accuracy, than other branded heaters (i.e. Cayman, Fluval etc).

Never even thought about that mate. Yeah I turn it off, then do the water change so you're maybe right. Checked again this morning, still 24C, something has been changed. Shame though really, wasted money on a new heater, I suppose I've got a spare now though....

 

[8511swann]

Glad it all worked out for you in the end!

 

[sammclean23]

Glad it all worked out for you in the end!

Yeah thanks for the help! forums like these are some of the best things to come from the internet!