Big Al's Brand Heaters

[littlefishie]

I just recently purchased a Big Al's brand heater for my 15g, to replace my submersible that has now gone into the betta spawn tank.

And now I hear strange buzzing noises coming from the tank.

Has anyone else used these heaters and hear some random buzzing noise?

 

[freddyk]

To put it blatently - Those heaters are junk.

Spend the money on a good heater, something like an ebo jagr. They are not terribly expensive, and this is one area you want reliability in.

 

[littlefishie]

It's just a temporary one until the bettas are out of the spawn tank, and it's been working pretty well so far. It's the buzzing I'm just curious about, not the quality of the heater. It heats the tank, that's what I need.

Believe me, if I had the money I'd get something different. But as all my spare cash has gone into betta breeding, I don't have $40-some-odd dollars to spend on a heater that I'll only use for a month or so.

 

[FrAnK3333]

My heater only cost 20 dollars and it a good one.

 

[littlefishie]

It's sad, but I don't even have $20.. )
Prescription and some groceries left me with about ten until the next time I manage to find some money..

 

[Whiskerz]

I have a heater that used to make a buzzing noise all the time, but I haven't heard it make buzzing noises for awhile now. I was a little worried about it but it never did any damage and it stopped buzzing

Edit: does it make buzzing noises constantly or does it buzz for a few seconds and then stops?

 

[FrAnK3333]

lol Its ok littlefishie I dont have 20 dollars etheir I have to get another job.

 

[littlefishie]

Whiskerz -- Buzzes for a few seconds, then stops. It's just.. random, really.

And Frank, I know the feeling.. at least your LFS is considering hiring you! All the employees at mine want me to get hired except for the fish manager. Just because I said a dog-faced puffer looked weird, and then later found out he had one at home. )

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I know exactly the buzzing sound you mean! I purchased one of those from Big Al's to use temporarily in my 5 gallon. The buzzing sound happens when the heat comes on and then stops. I noticed that the buzzing and the red light come on at the same time.

But, hey it kept the tank at a very constant temperature. I only used it for a month though, so I'm not sure how long they last.

 

[Whiskerz]

Whiskerz -- Buzzes for a few seconds, then stops. It's just.. random, really.

I think you'll be ok with it. Mine used to buzz off and on as well. I have had mine ever since I started keeping tropical fish (which was about a year ago) and I've never had a problem with it

 

[littlefishie]

Makes me feel better. Thanks!
My other heater's a Tronic, so I'm not used to store brands, really.. And the Tronic's never made noise, so I really wasn't sure.

 

[FrAnK3333]

Ya then Ill work at a lfs have a discount of some sort and buy more tanks and fishes. No matter how much money I make Ill probaly always not have a enough.

 

[littlefishie]

If I only had a discount, this wouldn't be a problem.. *Sigh.*

Though do you have a point.. once you have that discount, you're going to be like 'But with the money I save I can get like, 5 clown loaches!' or something to that effect.

 

[NikkiY]

Why not get one from Wal-Mart? I recently spotted that they have Visi-Therm heaters made by Marineland. I think that is a very good heater. Depending on the wattage, the 200W one costs around CAD$20 and the 50W one cost just over CAD$10.

Nikki

 

[littlefishie]

Because I already bought the Big Al's one and don't have spare cash for fish at the moment.
I do need to eat this week.. and no idea when I'm getting more money.