Is This Safe... Urgent

[jenny cookie]

heater problems... urgent

So I started my ich treatment, and I put a heater in my tank. I let it sit to "acclimate", for about 20 mins and started it up. I put it up 2* F from my usual temperature, and then I left it be. I went back to check on it a few times (at about half an hour increments, so I am sure it is not because it is warm enough already), and never stays on, but if I turn it up, it will turn on. And now I see a little condensation on the inside. is this safe, or should I take it back?

 

[TKOS]

I wouldn't doubt a little condensation being inside it, souldn't e a problem. But the heater won't stay on if it reaches its temp. It will keep turning on and off in an effort to maintain a temp. Get a thermometer and measure the temp that waty. Turn it up a bit at a time and when it finally gets to 84-86F (for ich treatment) then leave it be, making sure it doesn't get any hotter.

 

[jenny cookie]

I know that it turns off when it has reached the temperature, and I do have a thermometer, so I know that it hasnt. But I saw this morning that there was no more condensation, so I plugged it back in and now everything seems to be fine.

 

[RTR]

Temperature equilibration is a relative thing. Unless you have strong current, the sensor in the heater was responding to the local temperature, not that of the whole tank, and especially not a through-the-wall reading on a liquid crystal thermometer. If you want to read local temps, attach the probe of an electronic thermometer an inch or so from the heater.