BigFish Posted June 30, 2002 Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 When i see pictures of peoples setups with heaters, the heaters are always lying sideways but i thought you had to place the heater straight up and down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted June 30, 2002 Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 Hi Bigfish, The coice is yours, but heat rises, so having your heater horizontal will disperse more heat than in the vertical position.. JMO of course :) Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFish Posted June 30, 2002 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 k thanks for that, i think i misunderstood the instructions on the box :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 1, 2002 Report Share Posted July 1, 2002 And if it's horizontal and near the bottom it won't come out of the water when you do a water change...Or I should say, if it would come out of the water otherwise. I just like to put mine horizontal along the bottom if possible, better circulation, etc. Depends mostly on where it's convenient, though. I doubt the difference in performance is anything that's going to matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted July 1, 2002 Report Share Posted July 1, 2002 you can always comprimise and stick it on an angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 If your heater is not in a strong flow area, sticking your heater straight up and down will cause it to turn on and off more and the tank will have a different temperature to sticking it sideways. Also the height of the heater will effect the temperature. The colder water is at the bottom of the tank and warmer at the top. In heavily planted tanks, the temperature in the tank can vary wildly from one end to the other and from top to bottom. To keep a fairly constant temperature, put the heater in a high flow area and have some reasonable flow throughout the tank. Then it will not matter what orientation it is in. You should however observe the maximum depth markings on the heater. A lot of heaters get water inside them because they are installed deeper than designed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 I wouldn't think the depth would matter in any tank you're likely to get inside a house. Even in a tall hexagonal tank the water pressure would only be somewhere around 4 PSI, if it leaks under that, it's not very well made, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 You got it Ira, it does seem that some heater are not made very well! Oops, forget my disclaimer on that post, - stupid me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 23, 2002 Report Share Posted July 23, 2002 Any well setup aquarium should have a reasonable water movement to begin with. I've got my heater on the righthand side near the u/g filter pipe. Blends with it. And futhermore my heater has a temperature setting, visible from the front. which is surprisingly quite accurate. The black powercord is also not as visible as it would be running all the way from the bottom up. I'm convinced that not one cubic inch in my aquarium differs more than .5 of a degree. Measured with my Dick Smith electronic Aquarium temperature gauge. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted July 23, 2002 Report Share Posted July 23, 2002 Try setting up a 2400x800x680mm (8' x 3' x 2.5') tank very densly planted. Move 6000L (1500gals) an hour through the filter and then see how much the temperature differs. You will be surprised to find over 3'C difference in some areas. The plants block much of the water flow in some areas and you're only left with convection flows. In a barely planted tank it is not a problem as even light water movement will keep a very constant temperature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 24, 2002 Report Share Posted July 24, 2002 Hi Warren There are always exceptions. In your case I would add another heater to the location which requires more heat. The amount of wattage consumed should be the same, as the heaters switch off earlier John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted July 24, 2002 Report Share Posted July 24, 2002 Its never been a problem. In the wild, fish swim from hot to cold and cold to hot areas regularly and they are ok. Within reason you can have different temperatures throughout the tank with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 24, 2002 Report Share Posted July 24, 2002 Just out of curiousity - how longer does a heater last???? Mine has been in the tank for 2.5 years. Should I replace it. When does one replace heaters. I use the thermastat controlled ones. a 100w for the smaller tank and two 150w for the discus tank (being afraid after an experience of a heater just failing and not warming the tank at all - the fish survived thanks to quick actions of hubby in doing water change and putting my spare heater in the tank - not bad for someone who does not like the fish LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 24, 2002 Report Share Posted July 24, 2002 There is a discussion somewhere else in these forums about when you should replace heaters. Some say every year or so but they must have more $$$ than us As a heater ages it gets less reliable. It also pays to have a spare on hand for emergencies. I have a heater I have used for over 8 years and it is still going strong. The heatpad under our tank has been going even longer. Good to see you seem to have your multiple personalities (and password) sorted out :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 24, 2002 Report Share Posted July 24, 2002 :oops: thanks Caryl - I found it and read it. mmmmm would love one of those under tank warmers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AQUAMANX Posted September 8, 2002 Report Share Posted September 8, 2002 I agree with Warren fish are always swimming throughg warm & cold water in the wild....Why should it be any different in your aquarium.... Just a thought that seems to make sence. OK got to go wifey is shouting.... see you on the flip side... Steve X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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