Worried about the winter months

[Lizzie the Badger]

I have a 10 gallon tank with a filter, heater, and fish tank light. During the cold months last year (which is when I got my first three bettas) the temperature constantly fluctuates. I understand this stresses them out.

Basically when the temperature drops in the tank, the lowest it has dropped if I remember correctly was 76 F, so of course I turn the heater on. I go do something for five minutes and come back the temperature is 86 F. It doesn't stop there though, it'll just keep on getting warmer.

I want to keep my fish warm but not boil them!

I go to school, my parents work during the week. No one will be home during the week days to constantly plug and unplug the heater.

Any tips to keep the temperature from fluctuating?

[Perseusmom]

What type of heater do you have ?

[Olympia]

Sounds like you need a better heater.

[Lizzie the Badger]

To be honest, I'm not sure what it is. We've had that old thing for years, ever since we set up the aquarium.

I think it's a top fin, and on the heater it's self it says "100W". I'm assuming that means that it is a 100 watt heater.

When I do get a new heater, it'll have to be around Christmas.

[Olympia]

Oh yea, the top fin heaters are garbage. Look into a better brand for sure, a lot less likely to let you down.
Overheating is really common with cheap heaters.

[Lizzie the Badger]

Okay, thank you! Is there a brand you would recommend?

[Olympia]

I like Fluvals, and Aquaclears, if you can find those, I have an Elite brand too, which is alright, but the Aquaclear and fluval are my favourites.

[Perseusmom]

What size is the tank your going to heat ? For my 5 gallon tank I am using the 25 watt Elite adjustable heater and so far its been great, I have it set to 78 but with this time of year and being warm inside the house and with my tank hood light one the tank is staying around 80 degrees but if the temp drops it comes on. I ordered mine on line from Amazon they have the cheapest prices I have found on all fish supplies my local pet shop prices are way more.

Here is the link and dang the price has gone down since I got mine, I paid 17 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o03_s00_i00

[babystarz]

Yeah I use mostly the Elite adjustable heaters, they're very consistent :)

[MSG]

• Sounds like you have one of those crappy Top Fin preset heaters or it could have something to do with where you mounted the heater.
• It needs to be located where the water that is heated gets evenly distributed throughout the tank.
• You heater could also have gone out of calibration from just being OLD.

• A good reliable 100W heater will cost you less than $20, but it's worth it if you don't want to have to deal with sick fish. If your current TF heater is already giving you problems now, you won't have any fish to worry about in December.

Would you mind taking a picture of that heater? I always like to see images & examples of malfunctioning equipment.

The heater PM linked to is a NON adustable PRESET heater. I don't like using those whatsoever.

**I use Hydor but I trust VisiTherm heaters the most.