Heater Dieing

[Fishmanic]

I think my heater is failing.  It's had about 10 years of use.    The indicator light comes out but the temp in the tank dropped to around 68 (room temp).  Pulled the heater out and it doesn't get hot---just slightly warm.    I'm running a space heater now pointing it at the tank about 6 inches away.   I probably will order a new heater today from Amazon prime and will get it on Monday.   If I keep the tank about 70 degrees,  will the fish be ok for a couple days.   My stocking is in my signature.  Any recommendations for  a good heater for my 35 gallon tall hex tank.   What wattage do you recommmend?

 

[noobgamers]

wattage is gallons times five or 4.5 litres is 5 watts so 175 watts is perfect

 

[Fishmanic]

they only come in 150 watt or 200 watt--which would be better.

 

[KirkyArcher]

200w best option, be careful with that space heater so close to the outside surface of glass, it will expand the outside surface and water side won't, this could induce micro fractures in the glass that could in time fail catastrophically,

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Agree 200W would be best, always best to lean on the 'over' side of heater wattage.

The fish will be fine at room temperature for a few days, assuming that the room temp stays at 68 degrees.  Backing up the space heater to a few feet would be a safe alternative and just keep that room a tick or two above the rest of the house, and the fish will be fine.
 
 
Unlike marine species, freshwater fish are used to seasonal temperature fluctuations, even in the tropical regions - mountain snow melt causes the streams to be much cooler in the late winter/early spring, so a few degrees for a few days won't be a big deal.

 

[Fishmanic]

well---iI was able to take the heater apart and found a break in the heater coil---spliced the break and it's fine for now---I'll order a new heater to be safe

 

[Fishmanic]

the heater died again---I will have a new heater on Tuesday--an aqueon 200w---meanwhile I'm warming the tank with a space heater a foot away from the tank----the aquarium stays at an even 76 degrees