Why Angle A Heater At 45 Degrees?

[ZoddyZod]

Hello,

I've seen a lot of pics that show heater tubes at 45 degree angles. What's the reason behind this?

Mine is angled at 180, what is the difference?

 

[arobinson1984]

To be honest, I dont think it makes much difference, its all down to personal preference.

I think some people put theirs at 45 degrees so that fish cant rest on them and get burnt, corys especially have a habit of sitting on heaters is they are in the tank horizontally.

Andy

 

[afishdude]

Some say in the instructions to put them vertical or at a 45 but never a horizontal.

 

[Rediahs]

Some "submersible" (even those that claim to be fully submersible!) heaters still want you to keep a certain portion of the heater out of the water... I got a heater by Hagen that said "submersible" so I figured I can put the enitre thing in the water... then I read the instructions and there are two lines on the heater.. "minimum water level" and "maximum water level"! The heater for a 10 gallon sits too high above the water for the lid to fit if you leave it vertical, so I put it diagonal so I can still use a lid.

I hate faulty advertisements and I don't even understand why aquarium heaters need a portion out of the water!! Can't they make them submersible!! I have one submersible, and two that claim they are submersible but have a "max" water level as well as that minimum they all have.

That's my best answer.

 

[keenonfish]

I think things work better this way - the thermostat is in the top of the heater so vertical placement in a relatively stagnant part of the tank could result in poor temperature regulation as the heat all travels up cutting the thing out too early etc. 45 degree angle somewhat addresses this issue.

Horizontally I would think it presents a danger to your fish but there could be a problem with the heater elements sagging maybe?

Well that's my guess!

 

[ZoddyZod]

I think things work better this way - the thermostat is in the top of the heater so vertical placement in a relatively stagnant part of the tank could result in poor temperature regulation as the heat all travels up cutting the thing out too early etc. 45 degree angle somewhat addresses this issue.

Well that's my guess!

Good guess I reckon! My heater is set at 24c but the tank temp is 22.5c, so maybe your theory explains that. Either that or my heater dial isn't very accurate

 

[OldMan47]

Mine are at about 45 degrees for a very simple reason. If I leave them vertical they become partly uncovered when I do a water change. If I place them horizontal, I don't get the thermostat where it can see the results of the heating element being on, heat rises. I run mine at an angle, certainly not a measured 45, because it gives me what I want in terms of feedback to the heater thermostat and easy of doing water changes.

 

[Rooster]

Doesnt matter !!!! as long as the heater end is below the thermostat end !!!!! mine are at 45 degrees or so, simply because they are longer than the tank is high !