External Heater Orientation.

[theomen]

I have a quick question hopefully someone will know the answer.
 
I have recently fitted a new external filter and got an inline heater attached.
 
I have had the heater for a while and previously had it connected to the in tank filter via a hose which comes out the tank and then back in. The heater was laying horizontal. This worked perfect and kept the water temperature spot on.
 
Since i have connected it to the external filter ( in a vertical orientation) it will not keep the water up to temperature for love nor money.  Have others experienced this? If so do the heaters not work vertically? I personly cant see why not?
 
My other idea could be that i don't have enough flow through it but surely that wouldn't make a massive difference, would it?
 

 

[techen]

Depends what make this heater is?

 

[Vin Swords]

water flow speed make diff in temps.

 

[theomen]

I should have said sorry, its a hydor 300w. 

 

[techen]

Hi there, The hydor tell you to have the heater in a vertical position, Having it in a horizontal position over time will break and and I've seen some horror stories of it cooking fish and even leaking. 
 
It should say in the book what the max LPH is that it can handle, If you are below that it shouldn't have an issue with heating the water.

 

[theomen]

I wasnt aware that having it in horizontal position was not recommended, im wondering if it is broken and i need a new one

 

[techen]

 
Thats what Hydor suggest you do with the heater, You can see what kind of angle the heater is in the photo. I did that and had no issues with it whatsoever.

 

[theomen]

yeah that is how i have the heater setup now but the tank is cooling down as apposed to heating up, i think it may be broken and my LFS dont stock them,

 

[techen]

Amazon, Ebay and a lot of good fish stores online all stock them.
 
But to be safe, if you get another I would do as the photo suggests and also read the book when you get a new one. Am sure it warns about having it in different angles breaks it.

 

[theomen]

Yeah ill have to order online, luckily i have a spare heater i can put in the tank in the mean time. The last one was given to me so it didn't come with any instructions which in hind site i probably should have looked online for them.

 

[ian]

I've had mine at a 45 degree angle for 2 years with no problem, I know of others using them vertically with no problems.