Can't Get Tank Warm Enough

[Moonlit]

I've kept fish for over a decade, but suddenly having an issue I can't figure out. Long story short I formally had 25g tank I never had any problem keeping around 78 degs, but that was in another state that was warmer, sun hitting building kept my apartment warm even without using the furnace much at all in winter so my tank was always cozy. Okay, now I move cross country and its not even winter temps here yet, but I can't keep my new smaller 10 g tank at 78. Had to toss my big tank including heaters when family helped me move and was unwilling to pack all my tank and gear. I have a 100 watt heater in a 10 g and it won't get it any warmer than 72. This is a non-adjustable Tetra submersible heater that is suppose to be preset to 78. There isn't any place to get supplies other than Walmart so don't have access to better brands. May have to order one. Thing is I can't understand why my tank is staying so cold. I don't have air conditioning on, don't need the heater yet because my apartment is staying at 71-78 degs during this Fall weather. It's embarrassing after being a fishkeeper for so many years to have any technical problems like this. Can someone help? I don't like my fish suffering.

 

[Tolak]

Bad heater, Tetra isn't exactly top of the line. A 100w heater should be more than enough for a 10 gallon, you should be able to get a 20F increase over ambient temperature with 10 watts per gallon.

I've been getting in the Won Pro Heat heaters the last couple of years, after hearing a lot of good things about them. Ken's Fish carries these, it's a reliable supplier in the US.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Don't want to make any silly comments, but have you checked the water with more than one thermometer? It might be the thermometer and not the heater that is at fault. If not then the thermostat on the heater could be faulty, and as such the only solution is to replace the heater.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[soybean]

Answered your own question already!

This is a non-adjustable Tetra submersible heater that is suppose to be preset to 78.

Obviously isn't functioning correctly. I've never trusted preset ones.

 

[CezzaXV]

Agreed. Get a heater you can afjust. I've never heard any stories of heaters maintaining the water at the actual temp you set it to.

 

[Moonlit]

Answered your own question already!

This is a non-adjustable Tetra submersible heater that is suppose to be preset to 78.

Obviously isn't functioning correctly. I've never trusted preset ones.

I live in a small, very rural town guys. I moved to the boonies to be near aging parents so I don't have access to actual aquarium stores now. So the only place I have to buy fish equipment is Walmart & all they had was the preset Tetra heaters. I can drive 100 miles to Petsmart and that is closest thing to fish supply place I can find. I bought the new tank there which came with this other no name heater which is only 50 watts but I am uneasy with using it since its not submersible. I'm too klutzy to trust myself keeping those out of water. I am going to have to order a heater, but what? The places I once purchased items from don't have the selection they once did ever since the economy tanked and don't even have the brands I trusted for years now.

 

[Moonlit]

Don't want to make any silly comments, but have you checked the water with more than one thermometer? It might be the thermometer and not the heater that is at fault. If not then the thermostat on the heater could be faulty, and as such the only solution is to replace the heater.

Hope that helps a bit.

I wondered about that, but I've been using an digital thermometer so I thought those were the absolute most accurate? It has a new battery in it. I found one of those adhesive strip type thermometers that came with new tank and put it on last night. Its saying it is 76 in tank while the digital says 66.7 degs Farenheit. I found another thermometer a glass one. Need to clean the dried algae off before I put it in so I can read it. But between the 3 thermometers which one should I go by? I moved the heater this morning closer to the filter thinking that would circulate the heat more, anyway the water didn't feel that cold to my arm. Anyway my female betta was dead this morning. She had been quite vigorous, friendly to her tank mates and ate well since I got her in July. So feeling sad at the moment on losing Ming-Ming.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I have spent a lot of time with work in the US over the years, so I know exactly what you are saying about being stuck with Walmart, etc. Now I am living in Asia(Thailand) and have access to a fish keepers dream with regard to products...... however, I can tell you that no matter what brand is printed on the package 95% of it is manufactured in China. Nothing wrong with stuff made in China, it is generally good quality, but I do still believe the price generally reflects what you will get. So I would suggest 100 watts, and don't go for the cheapest one........ buy cheap, buy twice, because it will fail!

Good luck Buddy.

 

[CezzaXV]

There are no shortage of good heaters to buy online. There is even a good selection of second hand heters right here on this site in the classified section.

 

[Tolak]

http/www.jehmco.com/

http/www.kensfish.com/

http/www.bigalspets.com/

Jehmco is a fishroom supplier, Ken's & Big Al's are oriented towards the hobbyist with fewer tanks. I've never had a problem with any of those three.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Don't want to make any silly comments, but have you checked the water with more than one thermometer? It might be the thermometer and not the heater that is at fault. If not then the thermostat on the heater could be faulty, and as such the only solution is to replace the heater.

Hope that helps a bit.

I wondered about that, but I've been using an digital thermometer so I thought those were the absolute most accurate?

There are prob a step up from the stick on kind, but i would never use one even for free, cant beat something liek this

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Thermometer-Water-Fish-Tank-Aquarium-Decoration-/290610343264?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item43a9b9ed60

Ps link is just to show you what you ned to get im sure even walmart should have those in

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Don't want to make any silly comments, but have you checked the water with more than one thermometer? It might be the thermometer and not the heater that is at fault. If not then the thermostat on the heater could be faulty, and as such the only solution is to replace the heater.

Hope that helps a bit.

I wondered about that, but I've been using an digital thermometer so I thought those were the absolute most accurate? It has a new battery in it. I found one of those adhesive strip type thermometers that came with new tank and put it on last night. Its saying it is 76 in tank while the digital says 66.7 degs Farenheit. I found another thermometer a glass one. Need to clean the dried algae off before I put it in so I can read it. But between the 3 thermometers which one should I go by? I moved the heater this morning closer to the filter thinking that would circulate the heat more, anyway the water didn't feel that cold to my arm. Anyway my female betta was dead this morning. She had been quite vigorous, friendly to her tank mates and ate well since I got her in July. So feeling sad at the moment on losing Ming-Ming.

I think I was typing my last, when you sent this so didn't see it. Sorry for your loss, but don't assume it was temperature related. IMO I like to trust spirit/mercury type thermometers over digi ones. Same with the stick on chemical type, as electronics can go wrong while chemicals tend to be stable...........however, and just to make even more confusion, a lot of the spirit ones have a piece of paper behind the tube to act as a reading, and that could shift with a knock or two................sorry! I have 2 thermometers in my tank to ensure that they always read the same and keep me happy.

 

[soybean]

I've got a digi, mercury AND stick on one - overkill, but useful at times!

Brand doesn't always mean quality - my juwel heater is 6 months old and to maintain the tank around 24-25c it is set on 18c. Go figure.

Whatever the temperature you have it at the most important thing is that it is constant and fluctuates as little as possible.

Try the classified section on this forum and see if anyone has a spare they can sell you cheaply. I live out in the sticks too - apart from fish, I buy almost everything online.

 

[Moonlit]

Thanks everyone for all the tips! Okay I've had the glass thermometer in the water at least 45 minutes now and it is saying 78. The stick-on strip is now up to 78 after moving the heater next to filter. Or it could just be because the room has warmed up as it was a little chilly this morning, but warming up outside. Its not cold enough yet to turn the furnace on. I guess my digital has just gone bad as it used to be very accurate before I moved and it was insync back then with my glass therm. The digital was saying 66.7 and is now 65.9 since I moved the heater?? I'm paranoid and wonder if I should get a 2nd glass one so I can be sure my 1st glass one and the strip are both accurate as the tank appears to be at 78.

I still don't trust the pre-set therm and had a bad feeling when I got it. We just had a sudden cold spell a week ago and I had to rush out to get a heater quick. Its still within the return period and isn't dirty yet so I can take it back. Looking at Eheim Jager and Fluval E series online right now. The Jagers have always been dependable for me. The other brand I've used I don't think they make it anymore. I can't remember the name anymore something like Techtronics or Tectonic??? The Fluval E isn't stating whether its submersible so am debating on that. I didn't know about Jehmco and Kens so will check them too. I kinda feel out of the loop with current equipment because I had been using same dependable heater, filter, lights for years until I had to trash everything and now starting with new items.

 

[nanoMama86]

I use the same heaters that you use and have had to put them in my filters with constant water flow to force them to run enough to maintain my tank temp. I too have the 100 watt in my 10 gallon tank. Upgrade if you can.