Heater Malfunction Fish about to die

[Richard M]

Ok, I will keep stable. I need to find a heater that works though. He is flat on the rock

 

[rob safron]

Bummer. Could be in shock and will come around. I’m no fish health expert but I don’t think there is anything you should do. If your at 80-81 that is not a harmfull temp.

 

[dutch27]

Best investment you can make in your tank is a controller for your heater. You should look into one while replacing the current heater. I think Ranco makes one for heaters if you aren’t interested in a full blown reef controller.

 

[rob safron]

If emergency just by a cheap heater from petco for now until you can order the one you want

 

[WWIII]

So someone unplugged the heater, the tank went to 75 degrees, then the heater was plugged back in, malfunctioned, and the tank went to 86 degrees?

Those temperature ranges aren't that extreme, 86 is high, but not extremely high. As long as the temp was influenced to these extremes over time the fish should all be ok. I always run multiple slightly undersized heaters to try and avoid issues of extremes. I also use internal thermostat heaters with an additional controller seperately controlling them. Even for my qt tank I use 2 eheim jager heaters and purchased a reefkeeper lite to add that extra level of protection.

Hope they all pull through for you! With those temps I would think that they would be ok.

 

[Richard M]

Update:
Angelfish is now swimming around!

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

Update:
Angelfish is now swimming around!

Well done. Happy for you

 

[Richard M]

Ugghhhh,
He is now doing the same thing on the other side of the tank but upside down.....

 

[Richard M]

Should I keep lights on or off?

 

[Maritimer]

Lights off would make for a less stressful environment - but also more difficult for you to observe.

~Bruce

 

[Vahanyos]

Bravo to you all - such fast responses

 

[Richard M]

Update:
Angelfish is improving rapidly
Thank you, everyone, for your help!

 

[rob safron]

Glad to hear. Probably just a bit in shock. Good you caught it before it went higher then 96

 

[Big G]

One of these. Hope this helps. Glad your fish are ok.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Warmer water holds less oxygen, so the angel was struggling with low O2. When that happens, bringing the temp down, but not too suddenly helps. As does increasing surface agitation. Another thing you can do is hold the angel face first into the flow, this is like fishy cpr, as it brings water through the mouth and over the gills faster than its normal respiration.

 

[NS Mike D]

great news, I lost a dwarf angel last year due to heater. An Apex or other high end controller isn't in my plans, however, as posted with the inkbird, there are other single purpose temperature controllers out there for the budget challenged, I happened to have a WillHi temp controller available and hooked up 2 heaters to it. It will shut off the power at my high setting (80°) and will alarm at my low setting (75°). With the second heater I am observing less temp swings keeping it within 1° of my target (78°). If one heater fails, I am likely to notice more temp swing and no LED. If one fails to shut off the willfi will cut power preventing over heating.

Heaters are inexpensive and the most likely piece of equipment to fail. For $30 the WillHi is effective insurance.

 

[Gerald Garcia]

Get a fan to blow across the top of the water on the tank or sump.

That's what I do... Plus I turn off all the lights. Always keep a tray of saltwater ice cubes handy