Heaters Set At 70+F Yet Thermometer Showing 68Ish

[watertown28]

Multiple tanks all showing at least 6 degree difference.

Tank one: 72 gallon. 2x 220w heaters. Set at 72 degrees. Digital reading on the bottom front corner showing ~66-68 F. Heaters on back one on each side.

Tank 2: 30 Gallon. Tetra 200 watt heater. Now I do not like this one because of not temp settings on it...well numbers, just a turn switch and you have to "adjust" it up or down after letting it set for a few hours. I have it open all the way pretty much...... temp of tank 68F, This is from a digital on top corner on the opposite side of tank where heater is. I dropped old fashion mercury type in and put it near the bottom on the furthest side away from heater... reading same temp as digital.

Tank 3: 50 Gallon... same type of heater as above. This one I been playing with because I only have 2 white clouds in it for now, and they dont mind the cooler water temps. I have this set half way and its reading 62ish.

O the link for the 30 gallon and the 50 gallon are this one at walmart:
http/www.walmart.com/ip/Tetra-Submersible-Aquarium-Heater-200-Watts-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/12177658

The 2 in the 72 gallon are Penn Plax 210 watt heaters.

Is this normal? Every place else like pet stores seem to have the reading of over 70 using the same digital readings as I use. I do plan on getting another heater for the 50 gallon... might just kick it off and get a 300 watt and put it in with the other one so I have 2... but this is strange that every tank is like this outside of the 2 small ones with the heaters without the adjustment knobs.

 

[thereverendturtle]

One thing to try, if you're not already doing so, is position the heaters so they go more at an angle or straight across. This way the water isn't getting warm around the heater then shutting it off.

 

[watertown28]

One thing to try, if you're not already doing so, is position the heaters so they go more at an angle or straight across. This way the water isn't getting warm around the heater then shutting it off.

hrm so instead of up and down putting them on the sideways, guess that makes more sense because the heated water would go up therefor shut the heater off... going to do that right now.

 

[CezzaXV]

It's not uncommon for the temperature to not match what you set the heater to. Best thing to do is just turn the heater up or down until you get the temp you want and ignore what the settings say.

 

[smokeyjo]

Yeah I've always had a few degrees difference between what my heater is set to and the digital reading I just thought it was normal lol

 

[sadguppy]

It's not uncommon for the temperature to not match what you set the heater to. Best thing to do is just turn the heater up or down until you get the temp you want and ignore what the settings say.

Same here. Mine is out by a mile (always thinks its 5 degrees or so hotter than it actually is in the tank) but it works fine apart from that.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yep I can confirm my heater is always 2 degrees out. I have to set it 2 degrees higher than I really want it. Other than that it's very reliable my tank temperature is very steady.

 

[deftuch]

no not side ways but at a 45 degree angle.

 

[watertown28]

no not side ways but at a 45 degree angle.

O would it matter? I turned them both.

Amazingly the 50 gallon has gone up 8F in the last 8 or so hours. I am now up to where I want to be is 72f. Granted might be a bit warmer than the White clouds might want, but I am sure they will adjust. Still waiting on the 72 gallon though.

 

[Aqua Tom]

no not side ways but at a 45 degree angle.

O would it matter? I turned them both.

Amazingly the 50 gallon has gone up 8F in the last 8 or so hours. I am now up to where I want to be is 72f. Granted might be a bit warmer than the White clouds might want, but I am sure they will adjust. Still waiting on the 72 gallon though.

45 degree angle, its the way to go.


Tom

 

[Akasha72]

the only heater I've ever had that is acurate is the Juwel heater that came with the big tank. My other 2 heaters are way off and I just ignore the numbers and go by the thermometer

 

[deftuch]

the only heater I've ever had that is acurate is the Juwel heater that came with the big tank. My other 2 heaters are way off and I just ignore the numbers and go by the thermometer

every heater ive had is accurate becuase ive always had them at a 45 degree angle and the first time i used the heater i put it in the tank with the power off for 5 mins before i turnt it on. the only 2 things it says on the box really! lol

 

[watertown28]

well the 50 gallon is a nice warm 74F now that I turned it. This one is at a 45 degree angle. As for the 72 gallon not so much. Then again I placed it across the bottom of the tank so I may need to re adjust it to the 45 degree angle.

 

[OldMan47]

Watertown, I have never depended on the temperature reading on the face of a heater. Let me expand on that a bit. I use the number on a heater as a starting point. Once I have a tank running with decent filter flow, I go back and measure the resulting temperature. When I have an actual measurement I move the heater setting up or down based on that reading. I am not saying that the heater manufacturers need to do better but I often find that an adjustment compared to the original setting is needed. Any decent heater is great at holding a steady temperature, but not necessarily the one shown on the heater itself.