Oscars broke the heater!

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

My Oscars broke the heater in the aquarium. I managed to get the
broken pieces out (I think) but I was really surprised it didn't kill
them. Any suggestions on how to keep them from breaking the
replacement heater? It is a 45 gallon aquarium and they seem to have
plenty of room but I guess one of them got bored! Thanks
Dave

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>oscars

Franz Gratsch · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

On 9 Feb 2004 19:48:11 -0800, nkplt@netscape.net (Dave) wrote:

>My Oscars broke the heater in the aquarium. I managed to get the
>broken pieces out (I think) but I was really surprised it didn't kill
>them. Any suggestions on how to keep them from breaking the
>replacement heater? It is a 45 gallon aquarium and they seem to have
>plenty of room but I guess one of them got bored! Thanks
>Dave
Take a schego Titan heater
Franz
franz@gratsch.at
http://www.gratsch.at

Mark Stone · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 100

nkplt@netscape.net (Dave) wrote in message news:...
> My Oscars broke the heater in the aquarium. I managed to get the
> broken pieces out (I think) but I was really surprised it didn't kill
> them. Any suggestions on how to keep them from breaking the
> replacement heater? It is a 45 gallon aquarium and they seem to have
> plenty of room but I guess one of them got bored! Thanks
> Dave

Hi Dave --

Oscars breaking heaters in aquariums is extremely common. I've heard a
hundred reasons why, but nobody really knows; my theory is that they,
by nature, like to mouth around things that are in the tank, and most
(if not all) heaters are unable to withstand this abuse. In case
you're curious, a couple of the theories as to why Oscars destroy
heaters: The little light that comes on looks like an eye, and they
think it's another "creature". Or, when they feel the heat from the
unit, they think it's another animal. But I think they just like to
push things around.

Here's a few suggestions you may want to try:

--Get a fully submersible heater (like a Whisper) and hang it by it's
cord in the center of the tank so that it cannot make contact with
anything else. That way, when the Oscars push it around, it only
swings, but doesn't break.

--Silicone the heater into PVC pipe that has been pre-drilled for
water circulation. Mount it vertically in the tank, and drop an
airstone into it.

--Put the heater behind heavy decorations or a false backing in the
tank. You'll have to use an airstone with this setup, too.

GL! --Mark

Mark Stone tractorlegs at msn dot kom
OSCAR Lovers! http://www.geocities.com/cichlidiot_2000/oscar.html
The ".Edu" meens i are smart

bottom feeder · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

Mark Stone wrote:

> nkplt@netscape.net (Dave) wrote in message news:...
>
>>My Oscars broke the heater in the aquarium. I managed to get the
>>broken pieces out (I think) but I was really surprised it didn't kill
>>them. Any suggestions on how to keep them from breaking the
>>replacement heater? It is a 45 gallon aquarium and they seem to have
>>plenty of room but I guess one of them got bored! Thanks
>>Dave
>
>
> Hi Dave --
>
> Oscars breaking heaters in aquariums is extremely common. I've heard a
> hundred reasons why, but nobody really knows; my theory is that they,
> by nature, like to mouth around things that are in the tank, and most
> (if not all) heaters are unable to withstand this abuse. In case
> you're curious, a couple of the theories as to why Oscars destroy
> heaters: The little light that comes on looks like an eye, and they
> think it's another "creature". Or, when they feel the heat from the
> unit, they think it's another animal. But I think they just like to
> push things around.
>
> Here's a few suggestions you may want to try:
>
> --Get a fully submersible heater (like a Whisper) and hang it by it's
> cord in the center of the tank so that it cannot make contact with
> anything else. That way, when the Oscars push it around, it only
> swings, but doesn't break.
>
> --Silicone the heater into PVC pipe that has been pre-drilled for
> water circulation. Mount it vertically in the tank, and drop an
> airstone into it.
>
> --Put the heater behind heavy decorations or a false backing in the
> tank. You'll have to use an airstone with this setup, too.
>

Also, the new Tetratec filters allow you to place a heater INSIDE the
filter, away from curious Oscars. They may not make them with enough
watts for your tank size, though.

--
dan

> GL! --Mark
>
>
> Mark Stone tractorlegs at msn dot kom
> OSCAR Lovers! http://www.geocities.com/cichlidiot_2000/oscar.html
> The ".Edu" meens i are smart

Mike Edwardes · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 24

In article ,
nkplt@netscape.net (Dave) wrote:

> My Oscars broke the heater in the aquarium. I managed to get the
> broken pieces out (I think) but I was really surprised it didn't kill
> them. Any suggestions on how to keep them from breaking the
> replacement heater? It is a 45 gallon aquarium and they seem to have
> plenty of room but I guess one of them got bored! Thanks
> Dave

Build a wall with bricks (no mortar). Heater one side, Oscar on the
other Smile

Pictures:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Aocellatus.html

Mike.
--
Mike Edwardes Tropicals
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net

Ozzie Nelson · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Tronics sells a heater guard that is pretty good. You might take a look at
them to see if they fit your heater. I know they work with Ebo Jagers
heater.

Ozzie

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

"Ozzie Nelson" wrote in message news:...
> Tronics sells a heater guard that is pretty good. You might take a look at
> them to see if they fit your heater. I know they work with Ebo Jagers
> heater.
>
>
> Ozzie

I bought a ViaAqua titanium heater but I think the stupid thing is
broke. I cant get the temp to stabilize. Sometimes it stays put and
then all of a sudden it starts going up! I guess I will take it back
to the dealer and see if he can get a replacement! Bummer.
Dave

bottom feeder · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

Dave wrote:

> "Ozzie Nelson" wrote in message news:...
>
>>Tronics sells a heater guard that is pretty good. You might take a look at
>>them to see if they fit your heater. I know they work with Ebo Jagers
>>heater.
>>
>>
>>Ozzie
>
>
> I bought a ViaAqua titanium heater but I think the stupid thing is
> broke. I cant get the temp to stabilize. Sometimes it stays put and
> then all of a sudden it starts going up! I guess I will take it back
> to the dealer and see if he can get a replacement! Bummer.
> Dave

I've seen a lot of plastic heaters come out lately. Marineland makes
one now as well as Penn Plax. I'm wondering if they're any good.

--
dan

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

bottom feeder wrote in message news:...
> Dave wrote:
>
> > "Ozzie Nelson" wrote in message news:...
> >
> >>Tronics sells a heater guard that is pretty good. You might take a look at
> >>them to see if they fit your heater. I know they work with Ebo Jagers
> >>heater.
> >>
> >>
> >>Ozzie
> >
> >
> > I bought a ViaAqua titanium heater but I think the stupid thing is
> > broke. I cant get the temp to stabilize. Sometimes it stays put and
> > then all of a sudden it starts going up! I guess I will take it back
> > to the dealer and see if he can get a replacement! Bummer.
> > Dave
>
> I've seen a lot of plastic heaters come out lately. Marineland makes
> one now as well as Penn Plax. I'm wondering if they're any good.

I have not seen any of the plastic heaters. After starting this
thread, I have seen that Oscars breaking heaters is a common
occurrance. It is very surprising. My ViaAqua seems to have stabilized
today at about 77 degrees. However, it is set at the lowest setting of
68 degrees. Not very accurate. Not sure what I will do at this point.
Maybe take it back. Oh well that is life!

Kodiak · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 213

What happens when the heater breaks?
Do the fish, or you get electrocuted?
How common is it for an Oscar to break a heater,
is it a rare occurence, or does it ineveiteably happen
eventually?
....Kodiak

"Dave" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> bottom feeder wrote in message
news:...
> > Dave wrote:
> >
> > > "Ozzie Nelson" wrote in message
news:...
> > >
> > >>Tronics sells a heater guard that is pretty good. You might take a
look at
> > >>them to see if they fit your heater. I know they work with Ebo Jagers
> > >>heater.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>Ozzie
> > >
> > >
> > > I bought a ViaAqua titanium heater but I think the stupid thing is
> > > broke. I cant get the temp to stabilize. Sometimes it stays put and
> > > then all of a sudden it starts going up! I guess I will take it back
> > > to the dealer and see if he can get a replacement! Bummer.
> > > Dave
> >
> > I've seen a lot of plastic heaters come out lately. Marineland makes
> > one now as well as Penn Plax. I'm wondering if they're any good.
>
> I have not seen any of the plastic heaters. After starting this
> thread, I have seen that Oscars breaking heaters is a common
> occurrance. It is very surprising. My ViaAqua seems to have stabilized
> today at about 77 degrees. However, it is set at the lowest setting of
> 68 degrees. Not very accurate. Not sure what I will do at this point.
> Maybe take it back. Oh well that is life!

wicked1 · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

> I've seen a lot of plastic heaters come out lately. Marineland makes
> one now as well as Penn Plax. I'm wondering if they're any good.
>
> --
> dan

I have 2 of the marineland thermoplastic heaters 1 150W and 1 200W. I have
only had them a few weeks but so far very good. I have a WON titanium 300W
heater in my 150 and have had it for couple years now and its the best
heater I have ever owned. I will never buy another glass heater again. Had
too many break and short out etc.