Emergency?! How to change heater???

[dashielle89]

I've been having a lot of hair algae growth in my tank lately, but I've just been cleaning it slowly since the look of it doesn't really bother me much. It's growing on the heater and I never cleaned it off of there because they say you shouldn't take the heater out of the water. Well now there is so much algae on it I think it is causing it not to work right since the temp keeps getting lower every day, and this morning its at about 75 degrees and saying low flow even though there's a lot of flow in the tank (usually about 79).
Everything seems to be fine for now, all corals and fish seem normal.

I got a new heater and I'm going to let this one have all the algae dry off, but I don't know how to change them. Do I put the new heater in then put it on at the same time as the other one until it heats up? Then unplug the old one and take it out? Or do I unplug the old one as soon as I put the other in?

And how do I keep the algae off it after this? I don't know why so much grows in my tank since my nitrates are under 10 ppm.

Please help??? I don't want anything to die!

[tkeracer619]

The only reason you should not remove a heater is if it is on. They get hot fast and can burn you or crack the glass. Just unplug it and after 5 minutes take it out.

As for the new heater. Put it in and turn it on. Watch your temps and make sure it does not over heat the tank.

If you do not have any type of controller it is a good idea to put your heater on one.

Several entry level controllers that will control your lights, dosers, ect and can be upgraded as your experience and equipment expand are available for under $150.

A lot of people choose to put the heater on a dedicated controller. I have mine on a Ranco brand controller. They can be had for around $50 and are an industrial style controller with an excellent track record. These along with the thermostat on the heater as a backup can prevent your tank from cooking to death should the heater malfunction (the most common tank failure). I strongly suggest picking up a controller for your heater. They are worth every penny.

This is the one a lot of us here on this forum use. I also have a dedicated tank controller but I only use it (temp wise) to shut down my lights should the temp get to high.
http://www.amazon.com/RANCO-ETC-1110...0591130&sr=8-1

*Do not use Marineland heaters. Worst of the Worst

[vorm]

When they say you shouldn't take a heater out of the tank, they are talking about while they are plugged in. You can take the heater out to clean it as long as you unplug it first.

As far as swapping them out, it doesn't matter what order you do it in, but after you hook up the new one keep an eye on the tank's temp for while an make sure it's adjusted properly. Never trust the temperature numbers on any heater, as they are often way off. Set it based on what your thermometer says.

[dashielle89]

Thanks.

Sorry if I sounded stupid. I thought you needed to let the heater cool off after you unplugged it before you could take it out of the water (my directions say to wait at least 30 min). This is the first aquarium I have ever had in the basement and its pretty cold down there, I was worried that by the time I let the heater cool down, cleaned it, then let it heat up again, the water temp would start dropping. But I guess if I only have to wait 5 min it should be okay while I clean it.

I'll look into getting one of those controllers.

[tkeracer619]

The only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked.

[zigzag1]

Unplug the old heater and wait 5 minutes or more, then remove it. Then, set the initial temperature on the new heater (see included manufacturer instructions), put it into the tank and then plug it in. After that, check the tank temperature every 20 minutes or so to be sure you achieve the desired temperature, without exceeding a safe limit of approximately 80 degrees.

Most glass heaters have a light to tell you when they are on. Also, on many glass heaters, if you can see the heating coils you may be able to see them glowing when on and very hot. I saved a few freshwater fish once when I noticed one stuck on, and glowing in the dark! JMTC & GL!

[Palting]

If you take out the heater after you unplug it and it still feels hot, just put it back in the water for a few more minutes.

[S13<3]

i would wait at least 15-20 min to avoid any thermal shock, 30min without a heater is no biggie especially in the middle of the day when the lights have been on for a while and everythings nice and toasty