Re: [GSAS-Member] Heater Goes Where

["SUSAN WELENOFSKY" <welenofsky@comcast.net>]

In a sump is really good too. That's where I hope to put my someday soon!

Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
[mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Hess, Clay A
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 9:26 PM
To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Heater Goes Where

As long as there is reasonable circulation within your tank from your
filtration system the temperature of your water will be extremely
consistant.  If you have no water movement within your tank, then, yes,
you will have "hot spots".  

The key to me keeping my heaters near the bottom of the tank in a
horizontal position is how I change water in my tank and my poor memory.
I like doing my water changes at approximately 75% or the tank water at
a time.  Thus, I drain it with a syphon until the tank is 3/4's empty
and then refill it.  This can be hazardous on heaters depending on their
location.  Horizontally located heaters, 3" above the substrate, are
still below water level when I drain a tank 3/4's of the way.  Thus, I
do not have to worry about exposing a heater when I change water in a
tank.  I have broken more than one heater by draining a tank to change
the water, when the heater was positioned vertically within the tank.  I
have been cautioned by pet stores not to place heaters horizontally as
they say the heater element is more likely to fail if I do this.  I have
had one horizontally mounted Ebo Jaeger heater stick in the on position,
in 30+ years of keeping fish.  There was no way for me to tell if the
heater sticking was due to the heater position or not, however.

My favorite location for heaters now is outside the tank.  Tetra makes a
back filter where you can keep the heater in the filter.  This makes for
a very clean appearance in a tank.  And, by leaving the filter on while
draining my tank I can keep enough water in the back filter to not
damage the heater.  However, if the filter stops working for any reason,
there is no heat in the tank at that point.

Guess the point of all this is, there is no one good place for a heater
within a tank.  The good news is, with no one good place for a heater,
any place you put it is good so long as the fish are comfortable.

Clay

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Rose [mailto:rick-rose@comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 11:20 PM
To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat'
Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Heater Goes Where

My reasoning would be...

Heat rises, so rather than responding to the temperature of the entire
water volume (as it would in the horizontal position,) in the vertical
position, the sensor would be fooled by the warmed water coming up from
the element and prematurely turn-off.  It would probably cycle on/off
much more often - never efficiently heating the water and possibly
wearing out the heater switch more quickly.

My 2 cents worth,
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
[mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Shango Los
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 6:43 PM
To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat'
Subject: [GSAS-Member] Heater Goes Where

Hi all,

 

I have always learned that the heater in a 30 gallon should go
horizontal about 3 inches above the bottom of the tank.  I have a tank
set up where that location is less than optimum.  I would like to move
it to vertical about 5 inches from the wall on the opposite side of the
tank from the filter.  Seems to me there shouldn't be much difference.

 

Is there any sage reason why the heater should really stay horizontal 3
inches off the bottom?

 

Thanks


Shango

 

________________________________________________________

 

Shango Los

 

Phone: 206-595-9006

Fax: 206-729-5271

www.ShangoLos.com

www.SunbreakShines.com

 

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