Heater problems

[StreetCypher]

Hi all,

I haven't been having the best of luck with heaters lately. I have a 180g with 2 X 250W ebo jagers. A little on the low side, but i figure its ok because each one is rated at 90g and they're reliable and well made heaters.

Hours after a water change a few days ago, i noticed the temp had not recovered to its normal 80 F. It was at 70F, so obviously the heaters were not working. I did everything normally, i don't know what it is (even considered a faulty thermometer), any ideas? TIA

 

[StreetCypher]

Nevermind.

I double checked the thermometer and it couldn't go past 70F.

 

[Bmeasure]

First I want to check the basics (this is troubleshooting MUST-DO's). Make sure the heaters are getting power. You didn't state whether you unplugged them for the water change (as manufacturers suggest) and forgot to plug 'em up again. Or maybe they are plugged into a separate power strip and it isn't on? I use this method often. Anyways, if they both actually turn ON (indicator light on) and just aren't giving it enough juice, then have you adjusted the temp higher to compensate? Make both heaters read evenly. Many people use the temp setting listed on the side of the heater and if the temp isn't right, they consider it broke and want to return it/buy a new one. There isn't anything wrong with this method (it should do as labeled), it's just that I don't ever use it. I don't use manufacturer suggested wattages for my tanks. I have my own method, which has worked fine for me. I simply use the thermometer (build into the heater) to get me to the ballpark, then give it day and use a separate tank thermometer. If it's right (rarely) I'd leave it, but if not I'd adjust it up or down. Once it reads correctly on the tank thermometer, I leave it there, and don't bother with what the heater reads. If I use multiple therms, I try to use same models and set them equally.

If that doesn't work, either your room is too cold, you need 1 more heater, or one or both are broken. I have a 150 gallon and use 2x 300w heaters (Visitherm). I set them at 79 and.....low and behold....it is ACTUALLY 79! They aren't on all that often either. Of coarse I have a 3/4" plywood tank and styro fake-rock background on 3 sides. That probably helps a bit with insulating. Hope this helps.

 

[StreetCypher]

Thanks, Bmeasure.

The problem is fixed though. The heaters work fine, the thermometer didn't measure the temp of the water correctly (thought it worked, but thought it was odd that my water didn't feel 10 F cooler, then after double checking, it ended up being a faulty thermometer after all).