Heater, cheap

[bigfuzzymonster777]

I'm on a VERY limited budget. I'm starting a ten gallon FW, and I want a better selection of fish (not just coldwater.) HELP A NEWBIE OUT!

 

[hecurcia]

What is your budget?

 

[KevinMT]

I would go to amazon and buy one, buying one used can be a toss up. You will get allot better price on the ones on line then in the pet store usually. I would think you would want a 100 watt with a built in thermostat (in most models). Don't go to cheap els it could be a bust, and you will probably have to replace it, with a model you should have bought in the first place. Thrust me i did that.

 

[Cactuspixie]

I would go to amazon and buy one, buying one used can be a toss up. You will get allot better price on the ones on line then in the pet store usually. I would think you would want a 100 watt with a built in thermostat (in most models). Don't go to cheap els it could be a bust, and you will probably have to replace it, with a model you should have bought in the first place. Thrust me i did that.

+1 an unreliable heater can trigger disease in your tank, while a thermostat failure can wipe out your tank. IMO it's just not worth the risk.

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

Oh. Well, guess this thread is CLOSED.

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

Wait! I found a nice one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-100-200-...Heaters_and_Chillers&var=&hash=item53f99f3e65

 

[Oohitsae]

Be careful with those. I bought a similar model from china once, well, actually I bought 4 of a similar model and absolutely none of them worked correctly when I tested them on empty tanks. If you want to go with something cheap, go to petsmart and get a top fin 50w for like $15, they are good deals and the perfect size for a 10 gallon

 

[FishCr8zy]

Be careful with those. I bought a similar model from china once, well, actually I bought 4 of a similar model and absolutely none of them worked correctly when I tested them on empty tanks. If you want to go with something cheap, go to petsmart and get a top fin 50w for like $15, they are good deals and the perfect size for a 10 gallon

+1. I once bought one of those before and it actually exploded. After that, I went to get what I should have gotten, one that is more reliable and actually has a known company's name on it. But what's the max your willing to spend?

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

UHHH... Fifteen dollars?

 

[FishCr8zy]

UHHH... Fifteen dollars?

If your willing to spend around $7-8 more, these two heater are a really good bang for the buck:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003C5JNXK/ref=aw_d_var_2nd_pet-supplies_img?vs=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003U82YEY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1372706152&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

 

[Link119]

Ive had this one for a while and it has not given me a single problem. Amazon.com: Fluval M 50-Watt Submersible Heater: Pet Supplies

 

[FishCr8zy]

Ive had this one for a while and it has not given me a single problem. Amazon.com: Fluval M 50-Watt Submersible Heater: Pet Supplies

Lol. The 100, 150, and 200 watt heaters are LESS expensive than the 50 watt. If you get that heater, go for the 100 watt one.

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

Never mind, found a 200 watt for twelve bucks on amazon

 

[FishCr8zy]

Never mind, found a 200 watt for twelve bucks on amazon

A 200 watt heater for a 10 gal is way overkill and can overheat the tank. A 50-100 watt heater is the better choice. Which heater is it? Do they have that heater at a lower wattage?

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

Crud! I already ordered... But how would it overheat if set to the right temp? Could I set it lower but have it the correct temp? Oh, (insert appropriate deity here)! What have I done?

 

[FishCr8zy]

Crud! I already ordered... But how would it overheat if set to the right temp? Could I set it lower but have it the correct temp? Oh, (insert appropriate deity here)! What have I done?

Is the heater ordered on amazon prime? Well, if you ordered it, ( and its not prime ), then there's nothing we can do. I mean, it's a 50/50 chance that you get a heater that will overheat the tank when its over wattaged. You really want 5-7 watts per gallon. If its prime, then you can return it for free. At first, try putting the heater at a lower temp and see if the temp stays at that given temp at a steady rate. If it does, then slowly set it back up to the normal temp and all the while, keep a watchful eye on any temp raises above the given temp.

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

Ok.....

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

How would I make so it does not overheat

 

[FishCr8zy]

How would I make so it does not overheat

Do you have a thermometer on the tank?

 

[bigfuzzymonster777]

I will (stuff isn't here yet)