Heater Question

jencheung

jencheung

AC Members
Jan 22, 2007
194
0
0
Cambridge, MA
My tanks have been a little on the warm side for the past few days and I can't figure out what to do about it. The house is always at about 75 degrees ('cause of the air conditioning) which is a little cold for the tanks, but even with the heaters at the lowest settings possible the tanks are still at about 82. Ideally one should be at about 78 and one about 79. I'm afraid if I turn the heaters off completely they'll get too cold. Is there anything I can do to lower the temps just a little bit? Do I need to get lower wattage heaters? Any other thoughts?
 
The heaters must still be coming on, unless the lights are heating them up..Its been around 90 here, room temp is 75. and we have the ac on 24/7, our heaters are keeping the tanks at 77.5 ......:)
 
Yeah, I was worried it was the lights too, but the temperature is stable at 82 all day including first thing in the morning before the lights come on after they've been off for a 11.5 hours so I don't think it's the lights. I just wish I knew how to turn the heaters down a bit more!
 
thishappens sometime with heaters..the adjustment knob is turned all the way down..and they continue to heat..
you can clean the heaters..sometimes they get a film on them that may act as an insulator..you may need new heaters..
I keep 2 thermometers in my tanks..as they are also prone to be in accurate.

you can also try turning the heater way up for a few minutes and then turn them way down..the thermocouple in the heater may be stuck..

you may need a new heater. the best ones I have found are the ebo's and stealths.
 
Do you have powerheads in your tank? They add heat also.
 
jencheung said:
My tanks have been a little on the warm side for the past few days and I can't figure out what to do about it. The house is always at about 75 degrees ('cause of the air conditioning) which is a little cold for the tanks, but even with the heaters at the lowest settings possible the tanks are still at about 82. Ideally one should be at about 78 and one about 79. I'm afraid if I turn the heaters off completely they'll get too cold. Is there anything I can do to lower the temps just a little bit? Do I need to get lower wattage heaters? Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...

Yes, lower wattage heaters could do it (only a 4 to 5 degree increase), but during the colder months, they'll probably struggle. Why not lower your AC usage, turn the temp on the AC up to 79? You'll be doing the world a favor by cutting down on total power consumption. Another alternative would be to invest in a temp controller or two.
 
You can get resturant health code thermometers at resturant supply shops for like a dollar a piece. Very percise, and easily replaceable.
 
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