Haha, "most people" If I leave my tank for a day without heating in the
winter...it would hit about 62-65. All depends where you live and how cold
you keep your house

"Bruce Geist" wrote in message
news
Many people do not use a heater at all in planted tanks. Consider that
before you use a heater that is a bit flaky. I bet your ambient
temperature
is above 72 most days-- it is LA after all right? (I live in Michigan.
Its
truly lovely this time of year up here, NOT.)

I have cooked fish before because of a stuck thermostat. This probably
won't happen to you if your heater is small relative to your tank.
However,
if you have more than a 1/2 watt per gallon, I'd not use the thing if its
thermostat is sticky.

-Bruce Geist
"X-Addict" wrote in message
ink.net...
Does anyone run their heater on a timer with the lights
such that it isn't able to run during the evening when
the lights are off? I've got a slightly older heater
that just refuses to keep the water below 80 degrees F
regardless of my setting. I'd rather have the water at
or about 75 degrees F. In lieu of throwing it away,
I thought I might be able to get away with doing this
instead.

I'm on the west coast (LA area) and it doesn't get very
cold at night (mid 60's).. This way also might better
simulate a more natural environment such as what the sun
does.

Any comments are appreciated!

X-addict