theJenchild Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I was gone all day, checked temps (77.5) and topped off in the morning around 6am before I left. When I got home at around 9:30PM, the tank was at 88.7. OMG!! Apparently my heater decided to die, but when it did so it just decided to stay stuck on. It was the heater that came with my tank, and I just hadn't switched it out to the stealth that I have yet. I unplugged and let it sit all night with some ice packs wrapped in ziplock bags. This morning it had returned to a reasonable 78.6, and it still falling. So far it looks like I only lost a couple of snails, although most of my corals are still looking a little angry. The clam is happy and extended, the fungia are alive and extended, and all the fish lived. No word yet on the shrimp, but the hermits are out and eating the dead snails. Wow that sucked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 And I just put a heater on my tank!!!! I never use a heater for this very reason. I'm going to have to rethink it again. You got lucky it didn't get any higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 Definitely. Is there a fail safe type method to heaters? Like a thermostat that would cut power to the heater if it registers above a certain temp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I use a dual stage temp. controller. You can get single stage temp controllers as well. They are the best way to prevent this kind of thing if you have to use a heater. Plus the temp controller keeps the temp far more consistant than does the heaters own controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I think some of the controllers have them like AC3 and other computer types but I haven't yet used one as there spendy but will control PH lights pumps and more. Aquacontroller Jr. and others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Hmmmm, I may have to look into this controller concept. I like that my tank has some swing in temps though, I think that it makes my critters hardier and thus they tend to do better when disaster strikes. So far I have not noticed any deaths except a couple of snails that were recent additions to my tank and were likely a little stressed from that move. I attribute that to the continuous shifting in temps that my tank experiences. I try to keep it pretty stable, but it swings a couple degrees in either direction through the course of an average week. When it got super hot, my tank got up to 82-83 with little problems. It also gets down to 74-75 at night. I generally don't worry....but 88.7 was a little toasty for the poor guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Stories like these are what keep me from using a heater. For now I think I'll stick to keeping the room temp between 70 and 75. Glad it didn't turn out worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I always use a controller. I have a Ranco on my QT tank and my AC jr controls the display. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I have to use a heater on my tanks, even to keep the tank at 65F, I need a heater much of the year. I like my house on the cool side, I also like fresh air, if it's snowing my window is still open. To ward off disasters with heaters getting stuck on instead of using one heater to heat the tank, I use two small ones. It would take quite a bit longer for the small heater to cook my tank like that, if it is even possible, and hopefully by that point I would have noticed. I have never had a heater get stuck on, I have been shocked by one once, but I have had the same ebo jaeger for 8+ years now. JME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 I think that part of this disaster was attributed to an old, cheap heater. I knew that it needed to be replaced, but I just never got around to it. Now I think that I really need a controller! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 The only heater that I use is in my saltwater mixing barrel to bring it to temp... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 The only heater that I use is in my saltwater mixing barrel to bring it to temp... Having seen your tank it's good enough to convince me that a heater isn't necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Unfortunately a heater is necessary in my house. We don't have ambient heat and only use the little plug in heaters that barely heat a room. If I didn't heat the tank, it'd run at around 73 degrees. I like the idea of using the 2 small heaters instead of one big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I run my heater from my Reefkeeper Elite controller - if things do heat up too much it will send me alerts via email. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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