Path: utzoo!hoptoad!amdcad!decwrl!labrea!agate!eos!ames!nrl-cmf!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!necntc!dandelion!ulowell!apollo!molson
From: molson@apollo.uucp (Margaret Olson)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria
Subject: cheap stuff (really heaters)
Message-ID: <3be4c614.dab4@apollo.uucp>
Date: 6 May 88 18:51:00 GMT
Organization: Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, Mass.
Lines: 30


    Many fish may be able to handle temperatures variations
    from 60 to 90, but some can't.  If you don't know the
    requirements of the fish you have (amazingly common), you 
    are best off with a heater.

    If you are a cheap skate, and live in an old new england
    house, you may really really need a heater.  For a while
    I lived in such a place.  My livingroom (with fish) got 
    into the low fifties on winter nights, maybe even lower.
    I discovered that the only heaters that were worth anything
    were the 150 watt submersible german things.  They did
    the job and have held up very well.  I used two heaters
    in the 30 gallon, and one in the 15 gallon.  My fish
    stopped dying.  These heaters are expensive, but not as
    expensive as heating that house at night.

    I've given up buying used equipment.  Too often in breaks
    or is in lousy shape.  I bought used 30 gallon tank with
    all assesories.  I wound up replacing the heater, lid, 
    and filter in very short order, and in the end it was
    a lot of aggravation for trivial savings.  Maybe other 
    people have had better luck,  but unloved stuff with moving 
    parts is usually in lousy shape.

    I don't buy setups either - I've never seen one that had
    a decent heater or filter.

    Margaret.
    apollo!molson