Heater died - maybe not ??
 

The heater in my 55 Mbuna tank apparently ran continuously and I noticed
that about half of the fish couldn't take the temperature - some of the
bigger fish banged into it from time to time - I figured that the heater was
shot - I unplugged the heater, and let the tank water cool down ot house
temperature - around 79 degrees - did a fairly decent water change, changed
the filter media, and things have been fine since then. I've been trying
the heater for brief periods, watching it very closely - the heater seems to
cycle on and off normally, as indicated by the indicator light - once
something like that happens with these heaters, should they just be thrown
away? Or could it be something else? Thanks.

no_junk_mail wrote:
The heater in my 55 Mbuna tank apparently ran continuously and I noticed
that about half of the fish couldn't take the temperature - some of the
bigger fish banged into it from time to time - I figured that the heater was
shot - I unplugged the heater, and let the tank water cool down ot house
temperature - around 79 degrees - did a fairly decent water change, changed
the filter media, and things have been fine since then. I've been trying
the heater for brief periods, watching it very closely - the heater seems to
cycle on and off normally, as indicated by the indicator light - once
something like that happens with these heaters, should they just be thrown
away? Or could it be something else? Thanks.

Sounds like its contacts got stuck. That's a fairly common problem in
non-electronic heaters that are wearing out. You're lucky you didn't
loose any fish. Definately replace it.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com