Heater For A 20 Gallon Tank

[Sheils]

I think my heater is broken. Last week I noticed that the temp was way past 80. I even thought maybe the lights were contributing to the heat at the time. So with lights off I gauged it. Still no drop in temp. I turned down heater and in a day I got a reading of 78. So I turned it up a bit. The reading was 80-81. That was holding strong until I went to feed my babies tonight and Wow! The temp shot up again. I turned it down once again til that orange light went out.
I've been sitting here watching the fish for almost a hour. Heater hasn't gone on yet and temp hasn't drop either.
I can't stand this heater I can't tell if its less or more. Any suggestions on a better heater and any tips?

Hope this works

 

[thereverendturtle]

Personal choice is for the heaters that show the temp dialed in on the front.

 

[Sheils]

Personal choice is for the heaters that show the temp dialed in on the front.

I was thinking about that kind of heater. Any ideas on what kind would be good to get?
I've been looking at the petsmart site but haven't found one.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I actually have a couple of their brand, topfin, they work really well. Since you're state side I would recommend a submersible heater from www.truaqua.com I have these in all my other tanks, and they work great.

 

[Sheils]

I actually have a couple of their brand, topfin, they work really well. Since you're state side I would recommend a submersible heater from www.truaqua.com I have these in all my other tanks, and they work great.

Thanks for the info. Website looks good. I didn't realize there were different watts. The heater I have came with the aquarium.
It gave not much info on it. Very disappointing. I'm not sure what wattage to be looking for. I was trying to piece together the top fin products and came up with 100 wattage. Not sure if that is right.

 

[leighton_87]

How big is your tank? The size of heater will depend on the volume of the tank.

 

[Sheils]

How big is your tank? The size of heater will depend on the volume of the tank.

I have a 20 gallon tank

 

[Ruskull]

I had one of those heaters and it was okay.  However I prefer the Aqueon Pro series heaters, they have a green light when on but not working, and a red light when it's working to keep the temp up.  They're fully submersible and flat black in color so they're fairly easy to hide.  A bit expensive though.  For a 20 gallon you can use a 100 watt but a 50 watt would be fine, depending of course on the room temp, etc.

 

[Adam_Sciberras]

I've just put a Hydor in-line heater on my 30 gallon! Works really well

 

[Sheils]

I had one of those heaters and it was okay.  However I prefer the Aqueon Pro series heaters, they have a green light when on but not working, and a red light when it's working to keep the temp up.  They're fully submersible and flat black in color so they're fairly easy to hide.  A bit expensive though.  For a 20 gallon you can use a 100 watt but a 50 watt would be fine, depending of course on the room temp, etc.

I did a little more research on the type of heater I have. My tank was a starter kit tank. Description of the heater is 100 watt adjustable heater.
Room temp is about 68-70. In summer a bit warmer. I'm guessing the 100 watt would be the same for digital?

 

[thereverendturtle]

100-200 watts is what I use on my 20's. Just depends on what I have on hand, when I set up the aquarium.