I just bought a Elite submersible 50W heater and I can't get it to stick to the tank, as it keeps falling in. I haven't turned it on yet because of this problem.
The heater has a bulb-like top that sits above the water line. The problem is that my tank has a lip on it, so the bulb top is out farther than the glass. I can't put it in further or it will be under the water line. I currenty have the cord taped to the back of the tank so that when the suction cups let go, it won't go completely under water, which would wreck it. I have the suction cuts as far down as I can (any further down and they are on the glass surrounding the heating coils which you can't do). Any ideas of what I could do to get it to stay better? I have e-mailed Hagen to ask, but I thought you all mught have a brilliant idea!

Here is a link where there is a picture of it: http://www.petsr4u.com/proddetail.asp?prod=eliteheater

Hi, I haven't seen this model before, but like all heaters I've seen, the add says it's completely submersible (to me that means bulb and all). I've never seen an electric item that belongs in a tank that isn't completely submersible, it'd be too dangerous with splash backs and stuff. I'm wondering if you're worried that there is a 'water line', -that usually means that the waterline should be no lower than that line, it's got to do with the thermostat making sure the water doesn't over/underheat....

Hope that's a bit of help.

Madeleine is right. Two of my four heaters are completely submerged, with no problems. It allows for better holding power with the suction cups. I know that you can also buy heater holders, which the heater slides into, it has suction cups attached to it.

http://www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...8c0e556d4ff6287

Maybe something like this will work?

The heater I bought comes with a bracket to hold it and the bracket has 2 suctin cups (looks almost the almost the same as inthat picture). There is a minimum and maximum water lines (really close together) and the package says to keep the bulb top out of the water, although it has fallen in a couple of times. I never turned it on (you are supposed to leave it in for 20 minutes before turning it on) and I got so sick of fetching it out of the water I finally took it out last night (I mainly wanted it for at night when the temperature dips) and I had to do the wrapping in blankets trick. Luckily the temperature didn't dip too much as it is raining, but I wantt o keep a steady temperature rather than going to the whim of the room. If I don't hear back from the company by tomorrow, I will have to return it and try and figure out a different one. The LFS I went to didn't have many to choose from, so I will go to the one I prefer. It is just an easy to use and read one, although I did want an iso-therm, as I have heard so many good things from others on this site about them (LFS didn't carry any).
This is all so frustrating!!

Look, that sounds mighty weird to me, not being able to submerge a filter, and if you aren't supposed to submerge it, then it sounds kinda dangerous to me, to have some contraption that sits close to the waterline, but still shouldn't get wet. I'd return it and get one that is safer! What a bummer . You say you've got a LFS that you prefer, then maybe they can order you in the heater that you want if you don't want to order over the internet yourself.

I must say I am, impressed with how fast Hagen replied to me. Apparently it is completely submersible, even the cord. The maximum water line is apparently there because the CSA (Canadian safety association) insists that it be there because it has to do with water and electricity. As long as the cord isn't frayed, it is completely submersible. They are just not allowed to put it on the instructions.

Well I'm glad they wrote you back quickly. You should be fine submerging that heater, just as long as it's in top condition and you have the drip loop, etc..

I wish I would have called Hagen! I picked up the exact heater a couple of months ago for my turtle, but when I got home and saw that it wasn't submersible (supposedly) I brought it back and got a much more expensive one

Oh well...I've learn my lesson...when in doubt, call the manufacturer.

Chrissy

Bought the same one and have the same exact problem with it...it floats specially when I change the tank water. I keep on sticking it back and while doing it I usually scream at the darn thing and threat to throw it away and it seems to work just fine for me!!! kidding...keeps on floating, but it's fully submersible though and cheaper than other brands which is good on my tight gf budget.

In that case..I guess I'm glad I went with the more expensive model, a floating heater must be a pain.

Have you tried to buy one of those plastic filter casings for it?? They have great suction cups attached.

Chrissy

I live outside the US and I haven't seen those around here but i'll replacing the suction cups with new/different ones. I'm afraid it'll squish someone jeje...

when you have a submersible heater, make sure you have a drip loop. its very important!!!

I have a heater that I have had for....well, along time....I assume it is not fully submersible. I have one of those plastic clip thingees with the suction cups to attach it to the wall of the tank. I worried that it could pop out & sink ( I am guessing that would be bad) so I have looped a rubber band tightly around the heater(the part that is not hot) & the plastic clip thingee. I also added a clip on the top to make sure it will not drop. It isn't the prettiest thing in the world (really not noticeable unless you look for it) & I have peace of mind!

I don't know where you live but I'm in Canada and found the heater guard at Pets Unlimited. I think you can also order them online.

Chrissy

I hear you on the suction cups though, they still aren't sticking no matter what I do (even what they recommended), so it is just floating (even if it sinks all the way to the bottom, the cord won't be in the water). It's not moving and the fish don't seem to be bothered by it. Some day I may replace the suction cups. Maybe I'll e-mail the company again and see if they will replace them, and I will let them know others are having the same problems.
Jeana, I don't think it would be bad if the plastic thingy sunk--the one that cam ewith my heater sank so many times, I left it in the bottom of my tank (sans heater) for a few days. I got tired of fishing it out 5-6 times a day.
The LFS did carry the casings, so maybe if you look at different fish stores where you live Takumi you could find one. I live in a pretty small town (actually district, as we are not a city) and I did't have a problem finding one. I live in Canada too (west coast).

Jeje live wayyy far from you guys then...Costa Rica! When I got home from work on Friday I found one of my Orandas traped between the glass and the heater... I almost died!! I saw no gill movement and thought ''well that's just great, doesn't stay put and kills my fish??'' but fortunately just as I moved the heater away to grab fishie...it swam really fast!! Ha, that scary look on her face as of ''mommy I sure was a goner'' was priceless. Anyhow, to avoid future ''accidents '' I placed my heater horizontally as oposed to vertically and since friday it indeed has stay put. I'll try it like that for a few days to see how it goes...I'll let you know!

The Hagen rep. actually told me NEVER to put the heater completely horizontaly!! This is what they said "do not place the heater completely horizontal in an aquarium. This will cause the heater to lose some of its accuracy. It is always best to locate the heater on a somewhat downward slope with the heater controls above and the heater element sloping down from them."


If you go onto the Hagen website www/hagen.com or call 1-800-554-2436, and let tham know you are having problems with the suction cups, they will send you some new ones in the mail. I told them about it this morning, and they replied in less than an hour and said they will deliver them to my door. I am really impressed with how fast they replied, and with how quicky they are dealing with it. They are going to look into the problem with the Product Manager for aquatic electricals.

And Takumi, I hope your fish is doing fine. That would be horrible!! They told me to try setting the suction cups for a couple of hours before attaching the heater and it may help it stick better, as well as cleaning the glass and suction cups. It didn't work for me but maybe it will work for you. Good luck!! Hey Costa Rica...Can I come stay with you? I am getting sick of the rain and mud here right now. Somewhere warm sounds good!!

Just as an added warning, if your fish are approximately as wide as the heater sticks out from the glass when attached with the suction cups, think about getting a heater guard for it. Especially if you're mounting it pretty horizontally. (or I've been told PVC with lots of holes drilling in it to allow water through works well).

One of my baby pearlscales wedged himself in behind a heater, and while he's recovering from the burn now, it was a pretty serious injury on a really young fish.

Oh yes! Duh I forgot actually the heater can't stay completely horizontally, it actually bends to a side because of it's weight. And it is fully submersed but not at the bottom (cause then I couldn't check the temp constantly and thn it would be fishy soup!!!) But I'll check the website to check up the info...thanks on that!

Costa Rica awaits for you! it's lovely down here. My country's natural resources are just unbelievable, it's a paradise for any animal-lover. If you happen to come around let me know!!

Oh dear poor perlie!! Hope he gets better soon...That PVC cover its a great idea!!! I'll put all my itsy-bitsy-tiny brain to work and set that up!!! Thanks!!!

He's almost better, but he's come out of it pretty cranky. I've had to isolate him because he bit the scales off his sibling with his new bad attitude. The wound was a full 1/2 of one side of his body when fresh - I don't believe anyone who tells me those heaters can't get hot enough to hurt them anymore.

After 18 days he's finally healed over and I'm just waiting for his scales to come back in, if you're wondering what that looks like:


If you click through there are a bunch of photos of the wound at different stages.

Ouch! That must have hurt pretty bad! But he's healing quite nicely I think my oranda was lucky because she got stuck near the top of the tank so it wasn't warm enough for her to get burned...honestly I thought she was cooked already.

You pearlie is gorgeous!! I love the golf-ball shape they have he he

Bless his little heart, cheeky. I am glad to hear he is healing up, the little trooper.