Heater for 10g and Water Hardness Issue

[FSUphitau85]

I have two questions for everyone.

1) Can anyone recommend a good heater for a 10g? Any how many watts should it be?

2) What is a good product to take of hard water stains on my 20g? I recently set it back up, buy could not scrub the stains off. I called LFS for suggestions, and they said try white vinegar with warm water, or a product called "TD Down" I think? It's suppose to be "fish friendly." Any thoughts?

Thanks

[irishspy]

I have two questions for everyone.

1) Can anyone recommend a good heater for a 10g? Any how many watts should it be?

2) What is a good product to take of hard water stains on my 20g? I recently set it back up, buy could not scrub the stains off. I called LFS for suggestions, and they said try white vinegar with warm water, or a product called "TD Down" I think? It's suppose to be "fish friendly." Any thoughts?

Thanks

1) I bought a 50w Visi-therm "Stealth" heater for my 10g. They havea good reputation.

2) Is the tank empty? Then the hot vinegar should work. Just be sure to rinse it out.

:dance2:

[mellowvision]

I really like the 50w Hydor Theo. it's one of the smallest heaters I've come across that is still adjustable, and I haven't had any problems with them.

[FSUphitau85]

1) I bought a 50w Visi-therm "Stealth" heater for my 10g. They havea good reputation.

2) Is the tank empty? Then the hot vinegar should work. Just be sure to rinse it out.

:dance2:

No, the tank is no longer empty. That's why I was a little concerned about putting vinegar in it with fish. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[legendaryfrog]

ergh, I prefer to stick to the more reputable brand, visi-therm.

[mellowvision]

riiiight, like the one MG had melt down on him?

[Draal5]

Vinegar is fine if you get some in the water it will not harm the fish it may lower the ph slightly. There is nothing better to clean hard water stains.

stealth is the one that most people will recommend and MG had that one replaced free

right now petsmart online has the best price so print the page and price match in their store there is also a 5 off 25 coupon just search for it .

[Fishy_Fun]

well i use a 100W in my 10G and it works great.Couldn't tell you what brand it is LOL.I have to agree with the vinegar.

[Draal5]

I for got to answer the wattage

general rule is 5w per gallon till you get to larger tanks around 40g then you need 2 heaters so divide by 2 and round up if need be.

100w is really to big and will shorten the life of your heater because it will turn on and off more often to maintain the temp.

[jpappy789]

riiiight, like the one MG had melt down on him?
That is the first time I have ever heard anything bad about a stealth heater. Even MG was surprised about it...I would still recommend it, no brand is 100%

[Bobnova]

Somewhere between 50 and 100 watts is good. I use 100's in mine as the air temp inside my house gets quite cold at night.

A razor blade (the thin flexible rectangle kind, not the box cutter kind) works wonders for removing mineral deposits as well as surface algae.
Just be careful with it, cause it's kinda sharp :P

[FSUphitau85]

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice. I'll prob end up getting the stealth heater and trying the vinegar. I have also heard that you can use a pH decreaser to take of the hard water stains, is that true?

Thanks

[irishspy]

I have also heard that you can use a pH decreaser to take of the hard water stains, is that true?

That makes some sense, since that product's meant to increase the acidity in a tank. I imagine vinegar would be a lot cheaper and at least as effective, however.