Inconsiderate Roommate

jpappy789 said:
Why not plug in the heater 24/7. If your lights and the ambient temp keep the tank at or above the set temp then your heater shouldn't be using any power anyways. Set it on the low end so it only has to kick in when temps drop to uncomfortable levels for the fish.
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Exactly right...

Sorry though, about your fish. Unrealistic to think he's going to remember to plug in the heaters when he gets hot if he doesn't care about the fish himself, though - so best to just leave them on, dialed down to a low setting.

If he is in charge of the fish while you are gone, I can see giving him such instructions, but if he's just your roommate and doesn't give a hoot about your fish tanks...well. That's different!
 
I've used adjustable 25w PennPlax Cascade heaters (which are rated to 7gal) in volumes as low as 1.5-2 gal with no problem. There are probably other brands/models out there. Just saying that a better option is available than the off-or-on units you have, and you won't have to hold someone else responsible for maintaining the temps in your nano tanks.
 
I have nano tanks, the heater is either all the way on or all the way off. It's on when plugged in, and off when unplugged.
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Why would anyone want to use such a heater? You can buy a heater with a thermostat for less than $20.
 
Without chastisement...

I hope your fish are okay now. Inconsiderate roommates can really be a pain to anyone's existence; fish and human alike.
 
Chrisk-K said:
Why would anyone want to use such a heater? You can buy a heater with a thermostat for less than $20.
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A 25W standard heater is BIG for some nano tanks and if it ever failed in the ON position, on a 5G or less sized tank, it would severely overhead the tank. 25W heaters were made for 10G tanks... maybe a little smaller but not for much smaller tanks.

All that was available for a long time were the little flat black plastic heaters (like this http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+12087&pcatid=12087) that could be hidden under the gravel or some would stick it to the side of the tank. They did not have thermostats and only warmed the water up around 4F above ambient temperature.

Now that nano tanks are becoming popular, they are coming out with smaller standard heaters with thermostats.

Marineland now has a 10W mini-heater also that is permanently set to 78F. Here's one on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230410163972&rvr_id=131955286949&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXI7&GUID=c2bc91af12a0a0aad1f59d45ff3b20a9&itemid=230410163972&ff4=263602_263622

Tetra also has a mini-heater now... http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem...ampaign=pscsepricegrabber&utm_content=TS26447
 
I would just a small non-adjustable heater and leave it plugged in permanently. I run one in my display 10's. No hassles. And nothing for any roommates to adjust and risk the fish.
 
just get a timer for you heater and set it accordingly on and off when ever you feel it necessary,..
and then leave it plugged in
 
Great idea Dixie! Either that, or you can make sure to plug the heater in yourself before leaving for the weekend, especially if you know he's gonna be turning down the thermostat without you around. Have to admit, if we lived together and you approached me with that complaint, you'd probably be less an ear right now, I'd have chewed you out so hard. I get it though, emotions run high when our fish are concerned. Beyond that, I don't see anything in your actions that could be considered even remotely pretentious. That is, unless they've changed the definition entirely.
 
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