HEATER Issues

thekoimaiden

I actually just got an Aqueon 100 for my 29 gal. I wanted to switch some fish into it, but got frustrated when it appeared my little sticky thermometer kept showing the temp as being lower than I needed. I scoured the house and found a digital thermometer. Much like something that would be used in scientific experiments (mother is a science teacher). The temp was exactly where I wanted it. Point being, if you think you are having trouble, double check your temperature.

Byron

This is another good point. The digital "stick-on" thermometers are rarely accurate. I got several of these back in the 1990's, thinking they were ideal, and I noticed they do not always agree (I have 2 or sometimes 3 on the same tank, 4 and 5-foot tanks with one of these in various corners). After reading how innacurate they can be, I now have a floating thermomenter in each tank and go by these.

Tracy Bird

What are your thoughts on digital thermometers?

With regard to my heater situation - It appears my heater has reached the desired temperature with both in the tank thermometers agreeing and the temperature appears to be holding stable - I will keep my fingers crossed....

The heater dial also matches the tank thermometers!

Do these heaters have a built in feature that the unit will not heat too rapidly and harm aquatic life?

I suppose I just did not exhibit the patience necessary to allow the heater to bring the tank to the desired temperature.

PATIENCE - numero uno in this hobby....

thekoimaiden

I think those heaters do have a feature where they won't heat too rapidly because mine took longer than 24 hours to reach the desired temp. Also if it were on all the time it might burn out.

My digital thermometer comes from Fisher Scientific. It also comes with a temperature alarm that will alert you when the temp reaches a specific point. I wouldn't get anything that is intended to take a human temperature as it likely won't register the lower degrees at which we keep aquariums.