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2K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Tyyrlym 
#1 ·
ive got a 10 gal 20 x 10 tank with a top fin heater. its a 50 watt heaterThe heater is set on lowest setting yet the thermometer reads 84.5f. Could this be right. Is that tem p harmful to my fish. Ive got 4 neon tetras, 2 lamp eyes, 3 zebra diano, 3 snails, 1 rosie red and two ghost shrimp
 
#2 ·
What brand is this heater? What kind of thermometer are you using? 84 degrees is ridiculously high for snails, neons, and rosy reds.
 
#3 ·
Top Fin.

Well that heater is on the large side for such a tank. Where is your thermometer in relation to the heater? What kind of temperatures do you usually see in that room?

Depending on where the thermometer is you could be getting a false temp reading. If the thermometer is directly above the heater you'll be reading the temperature of the water coming off the heater. Personally I like to position the thermometer on the opposite side of the tank from the heater.

If the temperatures in your room are steady and don't dip very low in the winter then you can probably get by with a 25 watt heater. However a functional 50W shouldn't have these kind of issues and gives you some reserve capacity to heat the tank if things get cold.

My knee jerk reaction is that Top Fin is crap, sorry. I don't trust them with anything that's not inert. My personal preference is something like a Visi-therm Stealth heater that you can buy online for far less than a Top Fin heater at Petsmart.
 
#5 ·
Fish can survive for quite a long time in non-ideal temps. Doesn't mean it's a good idea. If you think the temp is wrong buy another one. They're about $3 at Petsmart. Compare the two.
 
#6 ·
A 25W heater would be better then a 50W heater for a 10 gal. tank. But this can depend on the kind you get. I bought a teo heater 25 watt for my 2 smale tanks. look at Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products They have the best prices then the local fish stores . This one I got was only $14.39 and switches inself off if the heater is not fully submersed avoiding overheating and damage. Has a knob to adjust temp.
 
#7 ·
I wouldn't go that far. My personal feeling is that in small tanks the surface to mass ratio is skewed a lot more towards the surface side of the equation. A small tank will lose heat a lot quicker than a big tank. During the summer you can definitely get by with a smaller heater, I keep my 48 gallon just fine with a 100W heater, but in the winter its very likely you'll need the extra ooomph. I'd take a look at the thermometer to see if its reading accurately before I laid out the cash for another heater.
 
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