Heater struggles in aquariums

[riverray]

My heater keeps turning off randomly, and my tank temp drops like crazy. It's a 50W in a 20 gallon, brand new. Anyone else deal with this sketchy behavior?

[lumber]

Yep, had the same issue with my 50W last winter. Turns out the thermostat was busted. You gotta check if it's still under warranty, or just cut your losses and grab a new one. Cheap heaters are a gamble.

[tactix]

What's the ambient room temperature? If it's too cold, a 50W might not be enough for a 20 gallon. I'd recommend upgrading to a 100W with an adjustable thermostat. Also, double-check the placement, near the filter outflow helps distribute heat evenly.

[tidescape]

Mine did that too, but it was just a loose connection. Wiggled the cord and it started working again. Weird vibe, but it's been fine since.

[Luxury]

What's the ambient room temperature? If it's too cold, a 50W might not be enough for a 20 gallon. I'd recommend upgrading to a 100W with an adjustable thermostat. Also, double-check the placement, near the filter outflow helps distribute heat evenly.

Agreed. A 50W is borderline for a 20 gallon, especially in colder climates. I run a 100W in mine and it's rock solid.

[Coraldiver]

Have you tried calibrating it? Some heaters come with a calibration screw. If it's off by a few degrees, it might shut off prematurely. Also, make sure it's fully submerged, or it can overheat.

[SunnyDive]

I swear by Eheim heaters. Never had a single issue, and they last forever. Worth the extra cash if you're tired of fiddling with cheap ones.

[riverray]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the 100W and see if that cuts it. Appreciate the help!

[lumber]

I swear by Eheim heaters. Never had a single issue, and they last forever. Worth the extra cash if you're tired of fiddling with cheap ones.

Second this. Eheim or Fluval are the way to go. No more sketchy heaters.

[tactix]

Let us know how the 100W works out. If it's still acting up, it might be a power issue in your house. Surge protectors can help with inconsistent voltage.