Direction/position Of Heater In Tank?

[dinosore]

Hi there,
I got a new tank for Christmas and am in the process of setting it up and cycling etc.
I've had it running for two weeks now and just have a question about the direction of the heater position?

Is it beneficial to have it on an angle along the back of the tank or will it be fine upright in the corner?

I've got a 70L tank 58L x 30D x 40H (cm) with a filter and light incorporated into the hood.

Any tips appreicated.
H

 

[CezzaXV]

I'd personally have it at an angle. Although it will function upright, you want it to be in such a position that when you do your water changes, it is still fully submerged. It's also beneficial if you can have it reasonably close to the filter intake or outtake so that the warm water spreads throughout the tank quickly, but it's not a problem if you can't.

How are you cycling? If you're going fishless, a temperature of 30 degrees celcius is ideal for the bacteria to breed.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

You should always turn all the equipment off whilst doing a water change, including the light. If you spill some water over the socket for any reason at least it won't be live.

Back to the original question. The heater, as long as it is submerged to what the manufacturer says (there normally is a minimum water line on the heater), you can have it at any angle you like.

 

[dinosore]

Thanks for the advice!

I had it upright in the corner by the filter intake pipe but was browsing some pictures and saw most heaters on an angle so it got me wondering.


I've moved it to an angle today during my water change; I'm doing a planted tank and some of the plants I had came loose so I had to get some lead weights for them.

I've done a mature media cycle (got some mature media from my mum's tank) and so far looking good.
Today's readings:
PH 7.6
Ammonia 0pmm
Nitrite 0pmm
Nitrate 5.0pmm

I got 5 Harlequins's a few days ago and are doing well.
I'm thinking I'll get another 3-5 Harlequins in a week or so, then another schooler maybe a tetra of some sort?
Still working on the stocking plan, but am grateful for any advice on peaceful community fish.

 

[sheffieldlad]

Heaters perform better at an angle. The thermostat is in the top of most heaters and works has a better chance of reading the correct to if the heater is angled.

 

[CezzaXV]

You should always turn all the equipment off whilst doing a water change, including the light. If you spill some water over the socket for any reason at least it won't be live.

This is true, but even if you turn it off it's still not a good idea to allow any part of the heater to be out of water. It's usually recommended that you turn a heater off at least half an hour before removing it from water, to reduce the risk of it cracking.