using heater with eclipse acrylic tank a no no?

[wigglejaggles]

hey now,

I was told that you arent able to use a heater in the marineland acrylic eclipse combo tanks.

Is this true? will a heater warp the acrylic?

Are there any heaters that are made safe for acrylic tanks?

thanks

take care,
jared

[Leopardess]

I've never heard that...otherwise...who's buying all those acrylic tanks? I mean, as long as you don't crank up the heater to something obscene, you should be fine. It isn't really that much more heat than what is produced by planted tank lights. I've used heaters in my acrylic tanks without a problem...

[Locust]

Yeah, if your heater gets warm enough to warp the acrylic, your fish are already a stew. :(

[Dapple2]

No problems using heaters with them here either. Stick with a good quality submersible and you tend to avoid those boiled fish scenarios too, lol

[OrionGirl]

There is a valid concern for having a heater make contact with the side of the tank--even on glass tanks, this is bad. On acrylic and plastic tanks, the contact can melt or warp the tank, in addition to potentially breaking the heater. Heaters should never be just dumped into a tank. They should be placed so that they are not making contact with solid objects within the tank, plants are not going to over grow them, and there is adequate water circulation around the heater. This is important--otherwise, the tank does not maintain and even temperature, which can result in health issues for the fish.

[tricksterpup]

IF you follow Orion Girls instructions you should be fine on this. I never had a heater warp or do any thing wrong to my tanks. Just keep up with the maintence and you should be A ok. These are nice little tanks and should provide you with years of entertainment.

jim

[wigglejaggles]

hey guys!

thanks for your responses. I have decided to put together my own 10 gallon glass tank. Orion, so where do you suggest I place the heater. I have decided to go with the tronic 7" 50watt heater by hagen for my 10 gallon tank. Should I place the heater adjacent to the filter? I am gonna use an aquaclear 150 filter by hagen. so with the water flowing out of the filter it will be good for the heater to be across from it so the flowing water picks up the heat and disperses it throughout the tank?

thanks!

take care,
Jared

[OrionGirl]

You got it! The moving water from the filter should be all you need to keep the tank evenly heated. GL!