Heaters (packing up?)

[Zoom]

Hi guys,

My 160l "bargain tank" that was given to me came with a 200w heater.

I've noticed that whenever it turns on now it makes a gentle hum/buzzing sound... is this a sign of the heater starting to pack up??? Should I look at getting a replacement soon?

Is 200w suitable for the 160litres?

[Zafgak]

Zoom does the buzzing sound go away after a bit ?
Is the heater vertical or somewhere between 45 degrees and horizontal ?

[brentnorm]

200W is plenty for a 160L tank. I do however think its advisable to always have 2 heaters in the tank just in case one packs up.

[veegal]

Zoom I'd suggest getting another heater anyway. Run both heaters on opposite sides of the tank and remember to place them facing as if they were pointing to the 11 and 5 on a clock face. This way should one pack up you always have the other working so that you minimize the chances of fish loss.

[Zoom]

The buzzing goes away after about 5 secs! If I move it whilst it's buzzing it also goes away.

The current one is facing 5 o clock.

If I get 2 heaters, what size should I be getting... also 200W?

[Henk Hugo]

Look at getting a Jager heater.....

[Zafgak]

Yes agree with Veegal, your bimetallic strip is probably going to fuse together soon and then you will cook your fish. Go for 2 x 150W or 200W..

[Carping]

Why should a heater be facing 11 & 5 and not 12 & 6? What about 3 & 9?

[Zafgak]

Carping - 12 and 6 is BAD the heat from the element travels straight up the tube and the controller is continually switching on and off. 3 and 9 is best as the heat goes up into the tank and not directly onto the controller. Your best positions are : 3 and 9, 4 and 10 and if you haveto 5 and 11..

The point to remember is that warm water rises.

[Zoom]

Okee dokee.... I will stop at the LPS on my way home this avie and pick up 2!

Man is this hobbie dangerous when it comes to finances!!!

[Risen]

Agree with Henk Nothing works like a Jaeger. Have now one now for 7 years and never lookd back.

[LanceP]

How much does a Jaeger typically go for, compared to the other cheaper brands?

[Zafgak]

Jaeger is about 3x the price - BUT guarantee for life (I think) and is electronic so it will never boil your fish..

[Henk Hugo]

yea its got a 3 year guaantee on it.... Also remember the jager can heater bigger tanks for lower wattage ie the 300watt jager is rated for 600 to 1000L

[Zoom]

Well, finances didn't allow for jaguar this time around. I bought to 'fong-kong' makes (Boyu) for R90.00 per 150w. Bought 2 of them. Will this suffice for a 160l tank?

[stripes]

Ok I notice on the box of the heaters that they say you must put it upright and not 11 to 5 or 9 to 3 and so on. Is this safe can the entire heater go in the water?

[Zoom]

Yes, the entire heater is suppose to go into the water. The thermostat part of the heater, meaning the part that actually measures the temperature of the water is in the top part of the heater. (Where your dial is). Basically if you have the heater only half submerged, your heater will be heating the water, but it will only shut off when the thermostat, which is out of the water reaches the desired temp.

So if you want 27 deg in the tank, the water actually needs to reach something like 30+ before the air above the water is 27 deg.

The reason we put them at an angle is because hot air, (hot water) rises. Therefor if you have the heater perfectly level, (up-down), the heater will turn on, heat the water that is literally around the heater... this water rises to the top, and then the thermostat reads that it has reached the correct temp, and switches off. In theory it will work becuase the hot water will soon be replaced with cold water, and the heater will turn on again, but in practice, you will find that the heater is constantly turning on and off unnecessarily.

I have placed both my heaters at 9-3 (I.e horizontal). I placed the one literally about 15mm off the ground, and the other one about 30mm above it. BUT I staggered them so that the hot water from the bottom one does not interfer with the thermostat of the second one.

You should also put the heaters as low as possible. This is again because hot wate rises. If your heaters are at the top, you will always have cold water at the bottom, so your bottom dwellers will be unhappy, and very sluggish.
The nice thing about putting them at the bottom is that it is a lot easier to hide them behind plants and rocks etc.... BUT the downside is that generally the suppliers do not put a long enough electrical cord, and you need to join. (NEVER HAVE THE JOIN IN, NEAR, OR UNDER WATER!!!!)

[stripes]

Thanks Zoom, going to change mine tomorrow morning.

[Zoom]

Good stuff stripes. You won't be sorry.

[Carping]

Had a look at the boxes my Jager heaters came in, and nowhere on the box does it actually state what warranty you get......

[Henk Hugo]

top of the box on the one corner in a red circle -
Garantie 3 Guarantee Jahre - years - ans - jaar

[Carping]

Thanks Henk, will check again tonight