Do you put the entire heater in the water or does the top part (the knob where you adjust the temp) have to be out of the water? I'm used to self adjusting heaters that go completely under water. I just bought a bigger aquarium so now I need a new heater.
1417385
Both. You can fully submerge it or have the knob stick out. There is a minimum water level indicator.
878047
The others are correct, there is no thermostat. This is a "Bucket heater" and isn't meant to run non-stop. I am using mine to heat a fish pond. O have it isolated in a shallow corner and it is keeping the water above 60F. Fish are doing OK. I have an underwater light system and I placed some lights near the heater to attract the fish to the warmer water. You need to get a good timer and set it to go on and off. DO NOT let it run 24/7. It WILL burn out. This is my 2nd one. I set mine to run for 8 hrs over night and on/off every 2 hrs during the day. This will allow the unit to cool down and reduce the chances of a hot spot burning the element out. The others are correct, there is no thermostat. This is a "Bucket heater" and isn't meant to run non-stop. I am using mine to heat a fish pond. O have it isolated in a shallow corner and it is keeping the water above 60F. Fish are doing OK. I have an underwater light system and I placed some lights near the heater to attract the fish to the warmer water. You need to get a good timer and set it to go on and off. DO NOT let it run 24/7. It WILL burn out. This is my 2nd one. I set mine to run for 8 hrs over night and on/off every 2 hrs during the day. This will allow the unit to cool... » Read More The others are correct, there is no thermostat. This is a "Bucket heater" and isn't meant to run non-stop. I am using mine to heat a fish pond. O have it isolated in a shallow corner and it is keeping the water above 60F. Fish are doing OK. I have an underwater light system and I placed some lights near the heater to attract the fish to the warmer water. You need to get a good timer and set it to go on and off. DO NOT let it run 24/7. It WILL burn out. This is my 2nd one. I set mine to run for 8 hrs over night and on/off every 2 hrs during the day. This will allow the unit to cool down and reduce the chances of a hot spot burning the element out. « Show Less
94562
This is a very poor heater.... I would not use it in any tank... You need a heater that you can set to the correct temperature for your tank... This one is a great disappointment. I expected more from tetra
2088124
It's just supposed to keep a circle of non-frozen water around the heater. Only when the temp really drops (like 20 degrees F or lower) do I sometimes see some "foam/bubbles" right around the heater in the non-frozen water. Should not get "warm" as you say. What's nice is that this heater only works to thaw the ice when the weather says it needs to and shuts off when it's not needed.
1012970
If you leave the light on then the power is going thru the unit and the heater coils will heat the water up to temp in say 10 mins or so and you could then "take your shower" ........................... if you forget to go shut it off it will continue to keep the water at the set temp and cost a lot to maintain that temp.Really if you take a shower everday at say 6am then just put the timers on to have the heater come on for 30 mins starting at 5:30am and when you hop in it will be all hot for you and you don't have to mess with it again, it will shut off at 6am and you will have hot water most of the day ...................... the main reason for buying one of these is so you don't have to mess with it??? If you leave the light on then the power is going thru the unit and the heater coils will heat the water up to temp in say 10 mins or so and you could then "take your shower" ........................... if you forget to go shut it off it will continue to keep the water at the set temp and cost a lot to maintain that temp.Really if you take a shower everday at say 6am then just put the timers on to have the heater come on for 30 mins starting at 5:30am and when you hop in it will be all hot for you and you don't have to mess with it again, it will shut off at 6am and you will... » Read More If you leave the light on then the power is going thru the unit and the heater coils will heat the water up to temp in say 10 mins or so and you could then "take your shower" ........................... if you forget to go shut it off it will continue to keep the water at the set temp and cost a lot to maintain that temp.Really if you take a shower everday at say 6am then just put the timers on to have the heater come on for 30 mins starting at 5:30am and when you hop in it will be all hot for you and you don't have to mess with it again, it will shut off at 6am and you will have hot water most of the day ...................... the main reason for buying one of these is so you don't have to mess with it??? « Show Less
471107
I just did this 2 days ago. I filled my tank around 3pm and it was 70 degrees by 6:00 it was at 78 degrees. I put my fish in before it was fully heated Nd they're fine! GREAT heater! Hope this helps!
2030665
you can set temp where u want it at and leave it..whenever it reaches that temp the heater will turn off and back on when it needs to reach the temp that you set it for......basically...set it and leave it.
1114428
I don't know what temp it stops the water, my tank is set at medium low. I turn on only the hot water and when the water gets hot it turns to trickle mode. There is nothing to adjust the temp
858712
how long does the temp stay that cold. If you are just trying to keep the tank from freezing up I would say yes. With temps reaching that low from time to time I would put another heater in there around fall time. So one heater does not have to work all the time. I hope this helps
108024
It's just like using a standard water heater in that regard. You set the water heater to the temperature you want. If the water is too hot or too cold, you adjust the setting on the tank. All the pump does is circulate the water heated by the tank.
1246788
Yes, it should be fine buried under the gravel provided you have a thermometer, which you really must have no matter where you place it. Heat rises, so placing it on the bottom probably is the most efficient, meaning it will get the tank as warm as is possible. If it is too warm, raise the heater up nearer the surface and increase or add some water movement. If it's still too warm, you need to put it on a timer, an external thermostat, or purchase a lower wattage heater. The 'water line' indicated on this heater is to insure it is well submerged, not to indicate that any part needs to be above the water. The heater is 100% submersible, it can and should be completely underwater. Yes, it should be fine buried under the gravel provided you have a thermometer, which you really must have no matter where you place it. Heat rises, so placing it on the bottom probably is the most efficient, meaning it will get the tank as warm as is possible. If it is too warm, raise the heater up nearer the surface and increase or add some water movement. If it's still too warm, you need to put it on a timer, an external thermostat, or purchase a lower wattage heater. The 'water line' indicated on this heater is to insure it is well submerged, not to indicate that any part needs to be... » Read More Yes, it should be fine buried under the gravel provided you have a thermometer, which you really must have no matter where you place it. Heat rises, so placing it on the bottom probably is the most efficient, meaning it will get the tank as warm as is possible. If it is too warm, raise the heater up nearer the surface and increase or add some water movement. If it's still too warm, you need to put it on a timer, an external thermostat, or purchase a lower wattage heater. The 'water line' indicated on this heater is to insure it is well submerged, not to indicate that any part needs to be above the water. The heater is 100% submersible, it can and should be completely underwater. « Show Less
349592
You're asking a lot out of that little heater. It's a general rule that heaters can only raise the water temp 10 degrees above the room temp. You're at the very edge of the threshold, so I'm not surprised it's taking a while. Give it time.
1024861
Hi - I no longer have that heater - it broke when I was cleaning the aquarium. I was concerned about continuing to use a glass heater, so I use a different type now. As I recall, though, it was about 8 inches long (or so) and it did shut off when it reached the set temperature.
1891240
If the heater isn't placed by your filter outflow, it won't heat properly. So if it's not, try that. I do always go one above recommendation though.
2177338
I have a similar heater. It hangs in the back compartment, no problem. There is no place for it to go. I've had it set up like that for a over a month with no problems. The temp is constant. I wouldn't worry about. Enjoy! The whole family loves the aquarium.
840937
These are fully submersible. Boxed instructions show the heater being used in vertical above water line or horizontal on bottom of tank. Just keep in mind that the dial for temperature control is located on the top so generally good idea to keep this portion above water line. (for ease of use)
766739
The heater I have is in a plastic pond (200 gal.). The suction cups wouldn't work due to the slimy sides, so I just dropped it in. Works great. If your tank is glass, you should have no worries. I've had our heater for 2 years now and it still works like new.