How Long Do Heaters Take To Increase The Water Temperature?

[Igniseus]

I put in my heater (http/www.tetra-fish.co.uk/tetratec/htheaters.html HT50) about 24 hours ago but the water doesnt seem to be any warmer, maybe a tiny bit but its still cold, and i set the temperature to 30C. Is this normal? The unit seems to be working, the light is on.

Thanks

 

[Jules H-T]

Depends on A. the power of your heater, and B. how much water you're trying to heat.

I would suggest "still cold" is relative. If you're stood in a toasty hot room a tropical tank can still feel 'cold'. You need to buy a thermometer and check how cold it actually is.

If it really is cold either your heater is buggered or it's woefully inadequate for the amount of water you're trying to heat. Either way you need a new one. No point setting it to 30 by the way, it won't get off the ground quicker- it's either on or off whatever you set it to. Set it to 24 and see if the light goes out after an hour or two.

What's the size of your tank and what is the wattage on the heater?

 

[Igniseus]

Depends on A. the power of your heater, and B. how much water you're trying to heat.

I would suggest "still cold" is relative. If you're stood in a toasty hot room a tropical tank can still feel 'cold'. You need to buy a thermometer and check how cold it actually is.

If it really is cold either your heater is buggered or it's woefully inadequate for the amount of water you're trying to heat. Either way you need a new one. No point setting it to 30 by the way, it won't get off the ground quicker- it's either on or off whatever you set it to. Set it to 24 and see if the light goes out after an hour or two.

What's the size of your tank and what is the wattage on the heater?

I think its working now, it might have been submerged too much or because it wasn't stood completely vertical. I unplugged it and raised it higher to the surface (still fully submerged) and straightened it and the light has come back on (it went off for a few hours). I'll see how it goes.

It's a 50W heater for a 60L tank (with decorations etc)

 

[Luketendo]

The heater is about the right wattage, you need a thermometer. Our blood is 37C so anything colder will feel cold.

 

[Igniseus]

Well, it switched off again. I think its the light that's causing the problem though, it would explain why when it was on overnight the tank was warm in the morning, but now during the day when the tank light is on it doesn't seem to be functioning. I've tried turning the light off now, and it seems to staying on. Any ideas what I can do? Not really anywhere i can put it thats further from the bulb, the width is only about 35cm, and the only place thats really further away is right at the front of the glass, which obviously is going to look ridiculous. Maybe its just a dodgy heater? Though I thought Tetra stuff was good.

 

[lym]

Well, it switched off again.

It will keep switching off once it reaches the right temperature. You need to get a thermometer, you can't judge the temperature by touch. It shouldn't take anymore than 24 hours to heat a tank that size. I setup a new 35 Gallon tank yesterday and it took about 12 hours for the temperature to get right.

 

[Igniseus]

Well, it switched off again.

It will keep switching off once it reaches the right temperature. You need to get a thermometer, you can't judge the temperature by touch. It shouldn't take anymore than 24 hours to heat a tank that size. I setup a new 35 Gallon tank yesterday and it took about 12 hours for the temperature to get right.

Let me explain whats happened again as its a bit hard to follow now

1. First 4 or so hours plugged in, no effect on temperature, just as cold. Light is on.
2. After 10 hours the water is very warm, probably 24C as specified. Light has been off for this period.
3. After 8 hours the water is very cold again. Light has been on

See the pattern? Whenever the tank light is on, the heater turns off, which I am guessing is because the stupid things sensor is getting heated by the tank light. I am almost 100% sure of this.

I should be getting a thermometer tommorow, so i will be sure of it then.

 

[ktricky]

first off get a thermometer even a baby one will do just to check

the water will always feel cold hold your hand in cold water for a bit then put it in the tank then you will know

depending on the wattage on the hood light is as these can heat water up which


the light is a thermostatic switch indicator lights up when the heater is on and goes off when it has reached the temp that has been set 1 way to check is if you see the light out turn the temp up should come on again

is it a new or preowned one ?

 

[mark.w.jones]

The light should make no difference to the running of your heater. Your heater should be fully submersed and ideally stuck diagonally in your tank in order to avoid hot spots in your tank. 50w should be fine for a 60 litres. I would say your heater is faulty personally. Your lights do give out some heat and cause a certain amount of water evaporation, however, if you find the heater works fine without the lights being on then you need to look at rectifyng that.

 

[Igniseus]

The light should make no difference to the running of your heater. Your heater should be fully submersed and ideally stuck diagonally in your tank in order to avoid hot spots in your tank. 50w should be fine for a 60 litres. I would say your heater is faulty personally. Your lights do give out some heat and cause a certain amount of water evaporation, however, if you find the heater works fine without the lights being on then you need to look at rectifyng that.

Ok ive confirmed the temperatures now. Without the light on the tank runs perfectly at the chosen temperature, but once the light has been on for a while the heater permanently turns off regardless of temperature.

Not a problem though, as i think i may be going for a coldwater setup now that ive been told that 2 of my fish choices can live in a coldwater setup.

Thanks

 

[mark.w.jones]

What fish are you going for? I'm still mystified as to why having your lights on stops your heater working . Has it made any difference relocating the heater to different positions in the tank? And how are they plugged in at the plug end? Straight into the wall or via a multisocket extension?

 

[vinylman]

If you're still using the heater, I wouldn't have it in a vertical position; heat rises and the sensor is usually at the top of the heater (when looking at it vertically). Try to have it at an angle of around 45 degrees, or if you prefer, halfway between vertical and horizontal.