Can A heater be too big?

[sumthin fishy]

I recently moved my 10 gal. tank from my kitchen to my living room. In the process my heater broke. I have an extra from a 55 gal. I put it in last night and set it to 80*F and figured the thermostat would take care of the rest. This morning temp was at 86*f. I turned the heater down to 75 and will check it when I go home for lunch. I figure if I monitor it closely there will be no problems, but It is pretty big and I could be overlooking some problem that might arrise. I won't be able to get a new heater till friday, someone tell me I wont cook my fish during that time.........

 

[reignman40]

As long as you adjust the heater accordingly it will be fine. The only issue that might arise with a larger heater is if it malfunctions and gets stuck on it will most definitely cook the fish. However I have never had this happen and from all I've heard it's a pretty rare occurance.

Curtis

 

[MargieMay06]

As long as it isn't sticking out of the water it should be fine. The thermostat should work the same, it will just have to turn on less.

 

[Jericho]

You may also encounter burns on fish if they lay on the heater, as for the temp I have never trusted the numbers they put on the heaters, just adjust to the temp you want and you should be all right.

 

[FisheyLisa]

If it is those glass heaters that are popular, that everyone says not to get, I have one that broke. The light was stuck on in a dim way when it was supposed to be off, and brighter when on. I had it in a tank that it was too small for (I had another heater on the other end), so I never worried about the heat cooking things. I think that it never shut off, so the other heater regulated temp. i removed it and tossed it after a short time.

Point is, if you see that happen, it might be broken, and cook your fish. So as long as you can monitor things, you'll be ok and probably extend he life of the heater as it won't be on as much as a small one.

 

[Kasakato]

If the heater is made for a bigger tank (higher wattage) it will just heat up the tank faster. This is normally good, but if it gets stuck on, it will cook your fish faster.

 

[sumthin fishy]

Thanks for all the info, I checked it at lunch and it was arround 80, where I like it. I will be replacing it friday so long term effect aren't a problem in this case.