Caution!: 7W heaters! (was Re: How cold is too cold?)

[Wright Huntley <jwwiii at pacbell_net>]

Caution!

Andrew Roberts wrote:
> Thanks for all of your helpful responses.  I think you've convinced me 
> to invest in some smaller heaters.  As it stands, I tend to run smaller 
> heaters on my existing tanks - particularly planted tanks with lots of 
> lighting.
> 
> I didn't realize that one could get heaters in sizes <50 watts, but my 
> local mail order outfit here in Canada has got 25W "Thermal compact" 
> heaters by Hagen (CAD 19.99) and Visi-therm (CAD 37.99 -- ouch).  These 
> are the submersible type, which I prefer as you don't have to worry 
> about very large gaps in the tank cover.  They even had one as small as 
> 7.5 W, but it doesn't appear to be thermostatically controlled.

Avoid the latter ones. They are a resistor in a sand-filled plastic 
tube. The resistor can get too close to the plastic and melt it. When 
the water leaks in, the fireworks get fairly spectacular.

I did not know any of those were still on the market. Don't use them in 
water, but they may be OK in a big jar of sand for an incubator. Use the 
thermostat from a burned out heater to turn on and off. Don't use at all 
if you aren't fairly good at electrical wiring. [Actually, a 7.5W light 
bulb works just as well and is cheaper.]

25W heaters should not be more than about $12-15 at good stores, for 
fine submersibles. Shop a bit more if you need several.

Wright


-- 
Wright Huntley -- 209 521-0557 -- 731 Loletta Ave, Modesto CA 95351

      All K-Mart and Walmart stores to be closed in Iraq.
              They will be replaced by Targets.

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