Unplugged my heater!?

[ahullsb]

It's been getting so hot lately that even with a large fan blowing across the tank surface, my water is around 80 degrees. I came home a month ago and my tank was 87 degrees. I unplugged the heater in case it was broken (pinned). I just run the fan now. Is this too risky? I don't see the temp dropping any time soon but was wondering if it is an accident waiting to happen?

 

[Pico1]

A new heater is cheap compared to the cost of your livestock.

 

[ahullsb]

I understand. Maybe I wasn't clear enough with my question. I have a backup heater. My question is that even unplugged my tank isn't dropping below 78 degrees, and once the lights come on, raises to 80-82 degrees. It seems the heater is not needed during these warm weeks. Is it too risky? It just seems that I am fighting to keep the tank cool, not warm during the summer

 

[funman1]

Yes I would say you need a heater.
You never know when that cool delta breeze might cool things down when you don't expect it.
Like tonight is supposed to be in the 50's

Get a descent heater set it at 78 and then don't worry about fighting it cause you bought a good one.

 

[Fragmented]

Keeping the heater will protect you from over cooling. Especially if you add ice. Best to have all bases covered.

 

[Larry Robison]

Just a thought . . . and I know that this is NOT exactly what you are asking, but just input. Better to go with two or more smaller, equal sized heaters that add up to at least what the Wattage you need (or better yet, the Wattage needed plus the size of the heaters i.e. need 250W, so maybe 4x 75W units), so if one sticks on, it can not turn your tank into gumbo. Also, if one fails, the tank will not be heaterless. Of course, it requires periodic inspection to make sure all are working, and work at the front end to get them all set correctly. Such is the price of peace of mind.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

For what its worth i unplugged my heaters last month and my temp has been staying around 79-81... my house is around 77 and i just turn on the fans during the day and off at night.

 

[ahullsb]

yoboy that is what I was doing but wondered if it was too risky. I have a 200 watt heater in my 20 gallon sump. My display is 55g. 2 100 watt heaters is the way to go?

 

[kevin95695]

I use the two heater technique. Failure on/failure off of one is not critical and you can likely troubleshoot before major damage.

 

[Reefugee]

I unplugged my heater. Even when it cools off at night - my tank doesn't drop much in temperature. But then again - I have a 120G tank, and the temperature would not fluctuate as much as a 30G tank.

Minh