Heater Problems

[jumblepod]

I got a 90 litre tank which im keeping in a very cold conservatory. The 100w heater that came with the tank would hold the temp at 80 and drop to like 70 at night. so i took that out and put in a 300w this still dont hold the temp at night. it drops to about 77. so now i have tryed it with the 300w heater in and the 100w heater in and the temp does hold at 80 but i dont really want 2 heaters running. Does it matter that much the temp goes from about 80 to 77 with the 300w? would that stress the fish.

 

[smegforbrains]

Try sticking a few polystyrene ceiling tiles to the back of your tank behind the background. This will reduce heat loss to the rear and may help a little.


If you are really worried about it, I may be able to help by building you a control box designed to cope with this problem (I experienced the same issues early on in my fish keeping career). As I cannot advertise, please PM me for details and costs.

 

[waterdrop]

If the two-heater concern is for too much equipment inside the tank and not looking good in the aquascape, you could have one of the heaters be a Hydor inline on a pump output tube.

 

[OldMan47]

Insulate the back and sides of the tank and it will allow your heater to keep up easier. One of the problems of pouring a lot of heat into a tank to hold the temperature is that it creates a hot spot around the heater. Unless you have excellent water circulation, you will be able to find areas in that tank that are much warmer than your thermometer shows you. By insulating the tank, the temperature will be more even throughout the tank and you shouldn't have such hot warm areas.

 

[Rooster]

You have a few options...

1. Insulate all sides with polysyrene
2. Cover the tank at night, as you would with a bird ! Thick blanket or quilt etc.
3. Move the tank
4. Heat the room

 

[jumblepod]

cheers for replies im gonna just stick with the 2 heaters which are holding the temp at 80 all the time even at night.

 

[fifefish]

if you are worried about aquascaping just buy some thick plants that cover up the heaters so that there no in view.