Water Not Heating Up

[wayne2467]

Hi-Recently aquired a small tank (18x12 x12) -I have a 55watt heater that seems to heat up iself though the water does not.
One strange thing that happens is when first turned on, the water heats up after about five minutes but then goes cold and remains cold.

Is this a fault with the heater or could it be something else?

Thanks in advance-Wayne

 

[KittyKat]

Are you using an alcohol or digital thermometer to measure the temperature or going by feeling or an external skick-on thermometer?

 

[wayne2467]

Are you using an alcohol or digital thermometer to measure the temperature or going by feeling or an external skick-on thermometer?

At the moment just by feeling the water - The temps are definately low and possibly not heating up at all.

 

[KittyKat]

Try a thermometer. My 25C aquarium definitely feels quite cold on the arms and elbow testing isn't much use either (like with baby bath water) as the water will be well under what feels neutral to a human (30-35C usually).

 

[Aqua Tom]

Get a fluid thermometer to stick inside the tank. They only cost about a £1 from your LFS or P@H.

I have two in my tank, one each end of the front glass, that way i can be sure the heated water is getting to all parts of the tank.

Tom

 

[wayne2467]

Try a thermometer. My 25C aquarium definitely feels quite cold on the arms and elbow testing isn't much use either (like with baby bath water) as the water will be well under what feels neutral to a human (30-35C usually).

Ok- but yesterday i felt the water in the several of the tanks in the shops and it felt how i expected it too. Mine however feels cold. probably not much warmer then my outside pond.

 

[Tizer]

My tank sits at 24 degrees and to be honest its not all that warm to the touch. Without a thermometer you really cant tell.

 

[KittyKat]

Try a thermometer. My 25C aquarium definitely feels quite cold on the arms and elbow testing isn't much use either (like with baby bath water) as the water will be well under what feels neutral to a human (30-35C usually).

Ok- but yesterday i felt the water in the several of the tanks in the shops and it felt how i expected it too. Mine however feels cold. probably not much warmer then my outside pond.

I can't think of exactly why, but that's common.

If you want to keep going by comparison, compare the tank water to tap water which has been running for a minute.. it's still just easier to get a good thermometer.. they're part of standard recommended equipment anyway.

 

[wayne2467]

Just added a new heater and seems to have done the trick.

Il put a thermometer in as well when i buy some fish.
What is a good starter fish? Something likely to survive in a new tank but not expensive?

Thanks

 

[Warehouse]

I wouldn't personally add any fish until your tank is fully cycled and ready for fish. Read this thread for a complete overview.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I wouldn't personally add any fish until your tank is fully cycled and ready for fish. Read this thread for a complete overview.

+1

 

[KittyKat]

I wouldn't personally add any fish until your tank is fully cycled and ready for fish. Read this thread for a complete overview.

+1

+1

 

[wayne2467]

Thought i had the heating problem sorted-went an bought a heater and a digital thermometer and cant get the temp even to 18c. The woman in the shop said it would take about two hours to heat the tank, but it's still not getting warm.

 

[KittyKat]

A standard 50W heater turned to 22C takes me about a day to get a freezing cold 45 litre aquarium up to temperature. Give it some more time..

 

[wayne2467]

I've gone from 17.4 to 18.9 so slowly moving in the right direction. If there was nothing wrong with the other heater then i guess it would be good to have a spare.