92 Gallon Corner - Need A Heater

[San O Fisher]

Haven't been on a long time, but I had to move so it means I get to a brand new set-up.
 
Basically, I decided to do Discus, but my current heater does not appear to working too well.  I was using the eheim 300W and before i bought another was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.  I need one that has a case around it as the tank will also have at least 1 plec (gold nugget).  Not sure on adding another one since they are territorial.
 
Any suggestions as the current heater will not get the tank above 78.

 

[StevenF]

A couple of questions
 
size of the tank?
Temperature of the room?
How was the old heater possitioned in the tank?
how fast is the water flow across the filter
why was the old one not working well?
why does it need a sase around it?
 
I don't know how anyone can advise you without any information about the setup.

 

[San O Fisher]

- Size - 92 gallon corner
- Room temp - about 69
- old position - same place, back of the aquariuam
- New position - just changed it this am to see if it would do anything.  still in back but put one of my filters water flow behind it.
- Water Flow - high flow around now - was low / medium
- heater worked fine before - has been in storage for 3 months
- Needs a case due to plec or plecs sucking on heater or glass around heater

 

[ricbea]

Hi,
 
Maybe look at purchasing an inline heater, goes on the outlet of your canister and then the heated water will be circulated. Just a thought and of course it only works if you have an external filter.

 

[StevenF]

 
 
Needs a case due to plec or plecs sucking on heater or glass around heater

I wouldn't be worried about a fish sucking on the heater.  The heater is totally immersed in water so the surface of the heater will not be much warmer than the tank water temperature. The current will also help keep the heater cool Additionally fish know when they get too warm.  Studies of ocean fish show that they will move to better locations when the water in there normal home gets too warm or too cold.  If he gets too warm he will simply  move.  I frequently find my nerite snails on the  and they are years old  and doing well.  If he is always on the heater it could be a sign that the bottom of your tank is too cold.  
 
The size of your heater looks fine However the only way to know for sure is to monitor the power consumption with a watt meter.  If the heater is on most of the day you likely should have a larger one.  You could also map the temperature profile of your aquarium  with a thermometer.  Record the temperature at multiple locations across the bottom, at those same places near the top. and center. You might  might be better off with two heaters instead of one to hep you achieve a more uniform temperature in the tank.  I would put the eaters as low as possible . A lid on your tank will also reduce water loss and water cooling, which would reduce the load on the heater and create a more uniform temperature profile
 
There are also advantages of using two smaller heaters instead of one big one.  If one of the heaters stops working the second will prevent the water from getting too cold.  Also if one heater gets stuck at full power the other will turn off and possible help prevent the tank from overheating.

 

[San O Fisher]

Since I am running 2 fluvals I was thinking about buying an inline heater for one of the cannisters.  I have been wondering about the two heater approach and taking stress off the current heater, which is probably maxing out.  I placed a lid on the aquarium and it rose for 78 to 80, but realistically, i need the water to 82-83 for discus.
 
Thanks for the help!

 

[nick1986]

Hi I have one Fluval E300 in my 52gal tank and it works so well I started a thread becase my old heater was just not doing the job. I looked at the inline heaters but if u have a look at my posts on the "water temp not going up" there have been a good few people on amazon reviews whos inline heaters have stuck on heat and cooked there fish thats why I didnt go for it. But I can recommend the E300 from Fluval u would need 2 im sure but they have the protection gard for tge fish.