Heater question/problems

[tttnjfttt]

In my 40 gal tank (new setup), I had bought a 200 watt heater, and the package said this heater was strong enough for my tank. However, after running for 18 hrs set to 78 degreese, the water is still only 72 (I put warm water in the tank to start with). Is this heater too weak for my tank? Is it a mal function in my heater? Unfortunately, I bought this heater in sacramento, two hours away, so i cant just run out and return it.

I do have an extra 100 watt heater I can put in, as well as an extra 50 watt.

Any suggestions?

 

[tttnjfttt]

Update: I have tried turning off the heater for 20 min then plugging it back in. It is also sitting right beneath the filter, so there is the max water movement around it.

 

[Tolak]

I've found that some heaters don't heat to the temp they are set at, the calibration is off. Try turning it up a few degrees, see if the tank heats up a little.

If there is a light on the heater & it is always on, you may have a defective heater.

Toilak

 

[leafs]

By chance, is your heater a Ebo Jager? As Tolak stated, the calibration could be off. My Ebo Jager has a small blue button on top that you can pop up and then set the correct temp on the dial to match the actual temp. Then you just pop it back down. Mine was off by about 3 degrees when I bought it.

 

[tttnjfttt]

No, I know its not that brand. The fact taht it is like 8 degreese off is a little unnerving. It was the cheapest I could find. Right now I have added my 100 watt heater and set it to a slight ly lower temp so It goes off before the 200 watt one does.

I will take it out and look for a reset/recalibrate button. Thansk for the idea!

 

[leafs]

Good luck. 8 degrees off is a big difference. If you decide to get another heater in the future I would highly recommend Ebo Jagers. They keep a constant temp and they also have a low water level shut off so the heater won't crack.