I've been advised to raise the temp on my tank from 70 to 78, and to do it slowly. How? I've put the heater in and have the control turned up halfway...

Need more input please!

I'd just give it a little nudge up & check the temp in a little while. If not up enough give it another nudge upward.

I would check the tank's temperature daily, and adjust the heat accordingly until it is where you want it. It sounds like you're doing just fine.

I had to fiddle with my heater for awhile until it finally gave me the temperature I wanted.

You should always have a thermometer in a tank if you are going to have a heater. Simply set the heater for two degrees higher than what you have. Then watch the thermometer to see if that happens. When the tank is at that temp, you can set the heater for 2 more degrees up. I would take about 2-3 days to raise the temp that much.

Thermometers are not always numerically accurate - and heaters are the same way. But as long as you find the temp that is relative to what you have been having, all should be good.

Uh-oh...my tank temp is at 78 now. It only took about 8 hours to get it there, I guess that was too quick? I have a thermometer, I placed the heater on the opposite side. I have shut the heater off and plan to manually monitor the temp, it only has + and - sign for controlling the temp, it is the heater that came with the tank.

The world is not going to end - all is good. I always prefer to make changes slowly. But it is not "the rule"......

You are fine. The fish are fine.

Whew...good to know! All I need is a boiled fishie!