More dumb heater questions

dramaqueen

Since I've never had heaters before, I want to make sure I know how to properly install a heater. I don't want to get electrocuted! lol I got a 25 watt Stealth visitherm and it says fully submersible. So, I submerse even the part with the temp control thing , right? ? Is it better to lay it on the bottom of the tank or hang it on the side with the suction cups? I have glass gems in my tank. Thanks to anyone answering my dumb questions. lol

Twistersmom

Yep, its ok to have the temp. control under the water. You can plce it in the tank however you think looks best. I always unplug mine when doing water changes.

dramaqueen

Yeah, I would definitely unplug before doing water changes.Thank you! :)

aspects

if you keep it horizontal on the bottom of your tank, you dont need to unplug it during WC. in fact, its best you dont. if you keep it upright in the tank, and your WC will go lower then the heater is , then you want to unplug it. you just dont want the heater to run dry.

dramaqueen

The directions say to unplug it if you are doing maintenance of any kind on the tank.

aspects

its not necessary. only if the waterlevel goes below the heater

dramaqueen

ok, thanks.

cerianthus

Agreed! As long as heater is under water, no need for unplugging. IMO, constant plugging and unplugging may shorten its life. I usually placed it horizontally so that heat can be distributed better in the tank. The way heater is built is that thermostat is right above the heating elements. Thus when placed vetically,heat rising can affect the thermostat before heat is properly distributed (constant on/off).
When horizontally positioned, heat from elements will rise w/o affecting thermostat too much thus heat is properly distributed.

aspects

indeed. not to mention, keeping it plugged in during WC will reduce the stress on the fish if the water youre introducing to the tank might be colder then the water already in there, and speeds up the time to get it back to temp as you dont have to wait for the heater to startup again

dramaqueen

My tank is 4 gallon hex shaped. The heater is too long to put it horizontally. Can I angle it? And how do you keep the suction cups stuck on the side of the aquarium?? Mine is acrylic.