Heater On The Slant?

[Gary D]

Hello,

Probably a basic question to most, but why is it that on a lot of tank pictures I see, the heater is positioned inclined at up to 45 degrees?

Does it give better heat dissipation?

Is it still alright to position it vertically - as I think it will be easier to hide it with plants that way?

Also, I have a fairly deep tank (Aqua One AR620T) at 60cm water depth and a 200W heater. So where abouts depth wise should it go?
And is the best place for it the corner at the opposite end to the filter pick-up?

I am sure this will be the first of many daft questions - but this afternoons job is to position everything in the tank and fill it with water

Thanks,
Gary

 

[stuuk1]

I was told that it had to be at a slant otherwise the thermostat would keep clicking off. But my new tank, the heater fits in the filter and sits upright, so.... Not sure!

Some people put the heater near the water flow which to me makes sense but others may object to that. As for height, Middle? Just as long as the whole of the heater in under water I cant see it being a problem.

 

[OldMan47]

It won't matter if it is standing upright or laying flat on its side. Many of us, including me, use an angle so that we can get a taller heater into a shorter tank and be sure it won't be uncovered during a water change. If you have the room to do that with it vertical, go ahead, no harm done.

 

[talisker]

as oldman said the only reason mine is at an angle on my main tank is that i can still do a large water change without the heater becoming exposed as i've forgot to turn it off on a couple of times, the heater in my juwel tank stands upright and there no problem with that

 

[Gary D]

OK. Thanks everyone.

I have positioned it vertically, about half way up the tank, and near to the filter pick up tube. The reason for this is so that all of the "eyesore" elements in the tank are in one corner and can be hidden by the plastic plants.

I will keep an eye on the temperature and measure it in different parts of the tank to make sure it is even.

The Tank is up and running now and I am quite pleased with it for a first attempt. My girls think its great

Just going to add the Ammonia tonight to start the fishless cycle.

Here goes, wish me luck................

Gary.

 

[chrisbassist]

I used to have mine vertical, and it worked, kept the water the right temp...
Now I havenit at an angle, and can do a 30% water change without worrying about switching it off.

Now if I could just position things to take the flow from the external filter without it giving the tank a lovely waterfall I wouldntbeven have to turn that off.

 

[bravehart]

I used to have mine vertical, and it worked, kept the water the right temp...
Now I havenit at an angle, and can do a 30% water change without worrying about switching it off.

Now if I could just position things to take the flow from the external filter without it giving the tank a lovely waterfall I wouldntbeven have to turn that off.

I have left the filter running when doing a small water change and the Plattys have seemed to enjoy playing in the waterfall. Just want to check i'm not doing anything wrong?

 

[kelly528]

If there is no movement in the water (ie you have a betta tank), the hot water just heated by the bottom part of the heater will rise up (rather than being carried away in the current) and pass by the thermostat. Sensing the hot water the thermostat will then click off until all the hot water has risen, then click on again sending more hot water upwards, causing it to click off again.

So in short, having the heater vertical is only a problem if you have very poor circulation. Also as somoene else mentioned it allows for convenient water changes if you are worried about the heater being exposed to air.