Overheating...

[Starfirefly26]

Well, my 10g has taken to overheating lately. I've had to carefully watch the temp and unplug the heater when it gets too high. It's set on the lowest setting, even, and the temp gets to about 80-85 when it stays on...
Theres only one live plant, and a heater that's made for a 10 gal. The fish too, of course.

Did the heater give out?
Kind of tempted to use a heater made for a 5 gal, maybe...

 

[Qays]

Whats your room temprature?

 

[HendrixTheOscar]

Sounds like you need to shop for a new small heater to me cos that one sounds buggered!!

 

[Starfirefly26]

60-75 is my room temp. I don't like heat.

 

[promithius]

yeah sounds like the thermostat has gone. thats the gizmo that tels the heating fillament to turn off, and if its broke, the heater is constantly on.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

You should get a new heater designed for the amount of gallons in the tank- if the heater isn't strong enough, it'll overheat and crack in its effort to heat all the gallons; are you positive the heater is set on the right setting? You should be able to adjust the temp the heater is heating the tank .
Is the tank by a sunny window or anything else that could heat the tank? How long are you leaving the tank lights on per day and how strong are they? Tank lights can heat tanks a considerable amount at times.

 

[Starfirefly26]

The indicator light seems to always be on, and the heater is set to its' lowest setting.
It's made for a 10g, which is what I have. I've got an underground filter and an airstone as well.
The light stays on about 8-10 hours a day, and it's a flouescent light inside the hood.

Today I plugged it in, and I came home after school to a temperature of over 80 ( )
Needless to say, it's not plugged in anymore.

Until I get the chance to buy a new heater, I'll have to stick with the plug-unplug method.

But at least it's just died off.