Water Temp Not Going Up?

[nick1986]

Hi I have set up my new 200L tank  its been cycling for 2 days now and iv got a heater in it that I don't thinks much good it says its a 200 w heater and my water is not going over 24 C iv moved it from 28 up to 30 on the knob but water is still 24.1 C don't think it will move much at all.
 
when I got my 25L tank the woman in the LFS said a 50w would be powerful enough for 50 L but mine was half that and took it back and got a 100w one and works spot on temp is always about 26 when I have a look. 
 
would it be best for me to get a 300w fluval heater e300 or is my placement wrong for the heater???
 
or should I go and get a inline heater

its in the middle of my tank the inlet for my filter is in one corner and the outlet in the other.
 
my room temp is about 20 ish and warm most of the time.
 
 
 
 
Thanks
 
Nick

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

What brand is the heater?
And how did you go about installing it?
How long have you been waiting since you turned it on?

 

[nick1986]

heater is a interpet 200w I have a fluval 100w in my 25L much better.
 
heater I stuck to the back of the tank ran the wires up and around to the exit of the hood filled it up with water and switched it on about 12hours later. been on for about 24 hours now and not going above 24

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Huh... Then it might be a broken heater.
Before the heater was installed, was the temperature in the tank 24 C? Like, the heater didn't raise the temperature at all?

 

[nick1986]

you know what that could make sense lol. I filled it with cold water and left it all day before I turned it on that could have given it a bit of time to warm to room temp. the heating light turns on and off every so often like its doing something but just not increasing the temp next time I see it with the light on il put my hand on and see if its getting hot.
 
if it is broken what do you think should I get a inline one for the e300 smart heater by Fluval?

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Uh, I wouldn't do that. Maybe I'm just super paranoid, but I don't put my hand anywhere near heater when its on. Fear of electrocution is one of my top fears.
I would say it's a broken heater.
But before you end up packaging it up and taking it back you can try it I'm different locations in the tank?
You can also try moving around the thermometer, not sure if any results will come from it.
I mean you tried playing with the temperature knob and nothing so honestly I have no idea.
I use Hydor 200 watt (my girlfriend says it's one of the most recommended submersible heaters out there) and it work pretty well. Temperature isn't always accurate, I think mine is on 68° F and the temperature in the water is at about 77° F.
I have the heater located right next to the filter intake, somewhere in the middle of the tank and the therometer is located at the other end of the tank.

 

[nick1986]

ok il have a look now see whats going on and il post back with my finding.

very small chance of a shock as glass is one of the best insulators you can get and I think if there was any water in it would have blown the fuse.
 
yes Hydor do the inline heaters as well the attach to the filter hose and warm the water as it flows back into the tank like the idea but don't know anyone who has one or if they are any good in the long run.
 
Thanks for ur hep

 

[Byron]

It seems to be "normal" for some heaters to maintain a temperature that is different from the set temperature.  I have heaters like RainboWBacoN420 describes; that is fine, once you get it set where it will maintain the tank at the desired temperature.  But if the heater will not raise the temp at all, or overheats, return it.
 
I now only buy the Eheim Jager heaters, after some unfortunate malfunctioning heaters.  There are undoubtedly other reliable brands, this is just one.
 
One caution...it is not good to use the heater to heat up very cold water.  This will really overwork the unit.  Use the hot and cold taps to get the initial temp close to where you want it.
 
It is also best to have the heater positioned in a water current, such as next to the filter return or intake.  This will ensure a flow of water over/past the heater.  I certainly agree on using the higher wattage heaters; these are generally more reliable than the 50w (I have had several of these give out).  For your 200 litre/50 gallon tank, I would use a 150w minimum, or preferably a 200w heater.  Another option is two heaters, one next to the filter return and one next to the intake, if at opposite ends.
 
Byron.

 

[nick1986]

hi its gone up 0.3 C in about 4 hours now that does not seem right at all. il get a new one. do I need to have the heater on when doing a cycle if not  il order one off the internet instead as can save a bit.
 
Thanks
 
 
just read the reviews of the inline ones on amazon and a good few people have woken up with cooked fish as the inline heaters can stick on. shame was going to get one to get rid off it inside of the tank but not in a year down the line I lose all my fish.

have a look

http/www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003ZGGH08/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&pageNumber=1

 

[StevenF]

What is the temperature of the room where the aquarium is located?  If it is a cold room your heater may not be powerful enough to reach the desired temperature.  In other words you tank may be cooling off faster than the heater can heat it up.  According to the link below a 200W heater will heat a 200l aquarium up to 10C above the room temperature.  If you are trying to heat it up more than 10C two 200W heaters may be needed.  Also do you have a pump circulating water now.  Water circulation might help the heater.
 
http/freshaquarium.about.com/od/heating/a/heatersizeguide.htm
 
If you have a power meter you could hook it up to the heater and measure the power it is taking.  If it is at 200W most of the time  the heater is does not have enough power to reach the desired temperature. If the heater is going to 200W, then off, then back on to 200W the heater thermostat is at trying to regulate temperature and is working normally but the heater is not powerful enough to reach the desired temperature. If the  heater is drawing less than 200W it is bad and needs to be replaced.  

 

[Far_King]

I can recommend the Hydor inline heaters.  I use one on my 200 litre tank and it works brilliantly.

 

[nortonmad213]

personally i use the ehiem jager heaters on all my tanks and they have never done me wrong,

 

[nick1986]

left the heater on 32 c all night came down today and its on 25.8 so that's about right temp but think you are right the heater is just powerful enough the water is cooling down faster than it can heat up. I will be ordering a 300w heater later on today to give it a better chance of heating the tank, 
 
room is about 24 at the min so only moved it 2 C. the heater is working when its on for a bit I can see the element glowing red.
 
there are no fish in at the mo.
 
Far_king how long have you had the inline for out of 300 reviews there are about 10 with cooked fish that's a hi % with same problem. I really like the look of them ( well the lack of seeing it ). I think I might get the E300 Fluval one look ok and quite smart and good reviews but would love it out of the tank... did you go for the 200 or the 300w for ur tank?
 
yes I have a pump circulating water its got good flow around the tank can see it when bubbler is on.

 

[Far_King]

I saw those reviews too but decided that it was a small percentage and those with problems are more likely to kick off than those that are happy bunnies.
 
I wanted to keep my tank as tidy as possible and figured as I was changing my filter and UV over that I'd do the inline at the same time.

 

[nick1986]

very true but there is still that risk and knowing me the day I stock it, it will brake and cook them all and id have 2 very upset toddlers lol. but if they bring out a V2.0 where they say they have addressed the issue id be getting on straight away!!!!!!!!!
 
Think I get a 300W no matter what one I go for will not have to run for as long as will push out much more heat.