Is My Heater Broken?

[Crossfc]

I was looking at my tank and I saw the heater on. It has a red light that tells me it is on. So then I looked at a termometer I have in the tank as well. The therometer said it was 86 degrees F or 30 degrees C! So I was mind boggled since I set my heater to stay around 76-78 degrees or 25-26 degrees C. So who do I trust? The heater or the thermostat?

 

[cichlid-mad]

The heater is broken take it out before it frys ur fish * it seems to me that it wont stop * get a new heater.

good luck

 

[n3ont3tra]

Stick your hand in and see if it feels overly warm. That should tell you wheter it's the heater or the thermometer.

 

[Tolak]

The most I've seen cheap thermometers off by is about 2F + or -. Turn down the heater & see if the light goes off. If it doesn't, it's stuck on, and you need a new one.

 

[guppymonkey]

What brand of heater is it? Some are more accurate than others. The most likely explanation is that the thermostat in the heater is broken and stuck in the on position. There is no way to fix it if it is that so you would have to buy a new heater.

 

[fishtankearl82]

I agree your heater is shot, you need a get a new one...

 

[Breeze7050]

Be sure to check by putting your hand in it too see if it feels warm or cool. I woke up on Sat. to see my thermometer at 86 and thought for sure I was going to kill my fish. So.... I turned my heater off. Later in the day with the thermometer reading 80 I put my hand in. VERY cool. So, my problem was opposite of yours, it was the thermometer! Be sure to feel it out. It should be a little cooler than luke warm. Hope this helps!
Whats with the heaters and thermometers this week!?!?