My very old heater has died I think...

[Nicangel]

I have a 9 yr old Rena Heater which has served me well but I think is on its final legs. I havent checked the temp in a few days and I dont know when it happened but the temp has dropped to 18C, even though the heater indicator is still on. My actual question is how can I raise my 100L tank temp until I can get another one? Will it be causing harm to my fish and how long can they cope with this drop? I have Gouramis, neons and scissortails.

 

[justDIY]

welcome to Aquarium Advice!

18c is around 65 degrees ... which is pretty chilly for tropical fish ... do you keep your house this cold, or is the tank evaporating a lot of water?

if you can't get another heater right away, try upping the temp in your house, and put some sort of insulation around the tank (blankets, towels, etc)

you are fortunate that your heater failed "safe" ... I had a similar problem with a very old visi-therm heater that failed in the ON position ... water made it to the high 80's before I noticed!

 

[wabyrd]

I suppose it's winter time there in the land down under, so if you don't mind it being really, REALLY warm in the house, you can crank the heat up to about 80 and the tanks will hover at a temp pretty close to that. I'd also do as glmclell suggested and put a blanket around the tank to help keep some warmth in.

 

[azn dreamer]

i suggest doing regular water changes but with hotter water than the actual tank water to replace the water so it keeps the temperature at 24C

 

[Techboy]

The piece of metal in the heater that conrtols when it terns on can get bent over the years. it happens to all haters. the piece of metal is copper on one side and aluminum on the other when the temp drops it clicks in to place, you may hear it. the knob on top pushes the pice to the contact to start the heater. so its ok for heaters to die.