New_to_fish_world Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have mine on a side but have been looking at other photo's and I see people have them standing up.? MMMMMMMMMMM....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 it makes sense to me to have them on an angle close to or completely horizontal as the element then heats up in a wider band, if the heater is verticle the heat will head up the heater & be less effective IMO but that will also depend on how much flow or current there is in your tank. Also the thermostats are generally between the heater coil & the top of the heater so if it were upright the thermostat may sense it to be warmer than the rest of the tank as the water around the heater will be warmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New_to_fish_world Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 it makes sense to me to have them on an angle close to or completely horizontal as the element then heats up in a wider band, if the heater is verticle the heat will head up the heater & be less effective IMO but that will also depend on how much flow or current there is in your tank. Also the thermostats are generally between the heater coil & the top of the heater so if it were upright the thermostat may sense it to be warmer than the rest of the tank as the water around the heater will be warmer. Well at least I know I am doing something right then. 8) Was thinking I will have to move it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 its not necessarily right but i have had success with it for 3 years now & it also makes sense to me. the thing with fishkeeping is that there are many common views but also many differing views of how to do various things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I've always wondered this too, but I've always had my heaters vertical.. because thats how the instructions that came with the heater says to install them! From memory, I recall the instructions my heater came with was absolutely do not position on an angle. Yet I see so many photos with heaters on their sides or angles. So perhaps it depends on which brand of heater you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 my heaters are vertical too. My Aquaone has designed the hood that way so there is a spot for the heater to go vertical. Also a LFS told me to keep the tips out of the water and not fully submersed anyway. I understand the logic of a horizontal heater, but they can be trickier to place sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Submersable means submersable and as far as I know, the aquaone heaters can and should be fully underwater. I have mine on 45's or straight up, doesn't seem to matter as long as you have good flow, especially in a tall tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 some heaters are not to be fully submersed so they couldm't be horizontal. it must depend on brands, mine had no mention in the instructions of being verticle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I always try to have them vertical, I dont have any good reason but always thought that maybe gravity might play a part on keeping the bimetal strip away. Sounds a bit odd because I have no proof that that is the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Make sure you definitely check your heater if it is submersible before placing it horizontally. There maybe a max. water line on it. I think its best to place the heater in an area that receives a lot of water movement (path of filter's waterflow) regardless whether its horizontal, vertical or diagonal. If you place it in a stale area of the tank, then it may not heat your tank water evenly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Agree with the above. I have mine standing straight in a back corner, near one filter outlet and my powerhead. Use multiple thermometers - one at each end and one in the middle to see how evenly your heat gets spread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 My heaters are on an angle, so that they fit in the tank. I also position my heaters near the filter outlet pipe so that the heated water gets pushed throughout the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie841 Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 I thing the reason some say submersible but must be vertical is because they have a rubber cap on the top and it might not be completely sealed. If it is not sealed it will be fine if vertical because of the air pocket but if you but it on an angle or flat you break the air pocket and allow water to flow in and cause problem. If this does not make sense try putting a cup upside down in the tank and you will see that all the air stays in there but if you lie it one the side the air escapes and the water floods in to the cup. Now imagine the same thing with a power supply in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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