heating problem

[n00dle]

i filled the tank this morning had heater in there on full wack all day and the thing still wont heat up its a 150watt in a 24.5 gal and its hot wen u take it out water but just wont heat in water leaving it over night see if theres any changes there better be coz iam gettig my fish tomorrow

 

[smb]

I would just buy a new heater if it were me. Did it crack when you took it out of the water and then put it back in?

Heaters are a weak link in any aquarium and I would just rather replace mine than worrying about frying my fish. jmo.

 

[n00dle]

its brand new

 

[smb]

I've gotten defective heaters out of the box before.

What was the temp before you put it in and what is it now? Maybe it's heating just takes time.

I would be very careful. If the thermostat sticks on you will lose all your fish. That's what I meant by I wouldn't risk it.

I buy 2 heaters that are each rated at half my tanks volume. That way if one sticks on it can't overheat the tank and if one doesn't come on, it will stay warm enough for me to catch it in time.

 

[guppymonkey]

I have had some problems with heaters myself. Mainly that its hard to get them to go to the correct temperature. I have a hard time heating any tank higher than 78 degrees. But thats because I live in the basement where its always cold. Room temperature can obviously have a huge effect on the temp in the tank.

 

[AquaNut]

Ime, heaters are one thing you really can't get away with 'cheaping out' on. Cheap heaters don't control the temp as accurately, tend to stop working before they're very old, and have a nasty habit of getting 'stuck' on and boiling all your fishies. I totally agree with the '2 heaters instead of 1' rule. 150 watts of heat for a tank your size is more than enough to poach your fish if something goes wrong.

Also, I'm wondering if you let the heater acclimatize to the water before plugging it in when you set it up? This is important, or else you can blow the heating element. Also, as Jeff said, taking it out of the water when it's hot runs a high risk of cracking it.

Despite all this, most heaters recommend 24 hours to allow them to get the water up to the desired temp, so I wouldn't freak out until tomorrow.

 

[Morrgan]

Room temperature can obviously have a huge effect on the temp in the tank.

Indeed it does. My 34 gal doesn't have a heater anymore, since it never needs one. The room temperature is even and warmer than in the rest of the house, so the temperature in the tank stays at 77-78 degrees.

 

[n00dle]

thanks for all your advice guys but i got it sorted the tanks cylcled all my paramaters are fine and the fish a having great fun and ive just got 2 kuhli loaches which seem to get on very well with my convicts funnily enough