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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Is my fishtank heater too weak?
#7505437 - 10/10/07 01:43 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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It's 50 watts and has been in 3 inches of water in a sterilite tub for going 12 hours. The water isn't even warm really. It has no thermostat but says it'll bring the water to 80 degrees. It cost 15 bucks at walmart, so Id think the damn thing should work...do I have to wait longer?
-------------------- Life is one big road with lots of signs, So when you're ridin' through the ruts, Don't you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy Don't bury your thoughts, Put your vision to reality, yeah!
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Captain Cubensis
Bleeding HeartLiberal


Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 648
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IMHO, that tek is not great.
Try a space heater to keep an entire room at 75-80, easy, no hassle, maybe more expensive, but my foaf uses one he bought for $70, and it has lasted for years and years!
-------------------- www.groworganic.com Get 350lbs shipped to your door for only $100! www.mycosupply.com Online Organic Rye Berries www.hydroponics.net/i/200002 The Cyclestat 4P, a great repeat cycle timer made in the USA.
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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Yeah I can't do that method so it's either the fishtank heater or something other than what you suggested. Why do you think that tek isn't good? I thought it was pretty great in terms of cheapness/effectiveness/space...aside from having a tub with a cord comin out of it...and aside from mishaps..such as the water NOT HEATING!!! =)
Maybe I have too much water, although it says 2-15 gallons....so weird how it's not doing much..
-------------------- Life is one big road with lots of signs, So when you're ridin' through the ruts, Don't you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy Don't bury your thoughts, Put your vision to reality, yeah!
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Captain Cubensis
Bleeding HeartLiberal


Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 648
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Well, it's electricity and water first off, minor consideration perhaps, but it does make your set-up at least slightly more dangerous, if not more heavy.
How about a heating pad? Eliminates the need for water?
-------------------- www.groworganic.com Get 350lbs shipped to your door for only $100! www.mycosupply.com Online Organic Rye Berries www.hydroponics.net/i/200002 The Cyclestat 4P, a great repeat cycle timer made in the USA.
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anomaly420
This guy!

Registered: 09/07/07
Posts: 32
Last seen: 14 years, 10 months
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I had that same heater from wal-mart.. take it back. Go to petsmart and get one of the kind that you can adjust and is also fully submersible. I got one on sale for $10. Look for the one with the knob on the top of it, I think it's 25 watts and you can adjust the heat.. fully submersible. It works good. You can keep it between 80-82.
-------------------- Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door.
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NationofStrangers
Beeeeyah!!!!



Registered: 09/25/03
Posts: 515
Loc: Austin TX
Last seen: 14 years, 9 months
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I use a 50w heater, works very well. Not much temprature fluctuation, and fits 24 jars. My heater was a little more expensive (30$) but my setup consists of 2 orange paint buckets from H'depot. Basically a TiT. I cover it with a sleeping bag, keeps the heat in. Ok cant figure out how to upload pic off it, but if you want one let me know.
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NationofStrangers
Beeeeyah!!!!



Registered: 09/25/03
Posts: 515
Loc: Austin TX
Last seen: 14 years, 9 months
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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Hmm yeah I am considering just takin it back and gettin a thermostat. I emptied half the water and I'll give it 1 more try.
This one is submersible so that's good. Yes, electricity+water....I guess that places my trust in the design of the submersible water heater...
Heating pad..maybe...last I checked they were at least 30 bucks for a small one...Considering I'm in a broke phase right now...that can't happen. But it's a good idea.
The only thing with the heating pad I don't like is that it would rely on conducting heat through air rather than heat through water. I would think water would work better, but who knows..
Just wondering for those of you who have experience with these heaters...do they take pretty long to heat up water?
-------------------- Life is one big road with lots of signs, So when you're ridin' through the ruts, Don't you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy Don't bury your thoughts, Put your vision to reality, yeah!
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Walter1496211
Window Washer



Registered: 09/09/07
Posts: 639
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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I would be careful putting your setting at 80+ degrees. If the water gets that temp around your tub and your jars start colonizing the temp is going to rise to at least 92. I know this from personal experience. Set the temp a bit lower like 70 and the inside of the tub will be a nice 80-84 degrees.
-------------------- you see the world through the window of your experience
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buggas
Stranger


Registered: 09/27/07
Posts: 145
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: Is my fishtank heater too weak? [Re: Walter1496211]
#7505586 - 10/10/07 02:20 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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My apartment is about 70 or so degrees most of the time, can i just put the jars in the closet? if the temp is going to raise about 10 degrees, i wouldn't have thought i would need a heater. Qué no?
Sorry to temporarily jack the thread.
-------------------- There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers from stupid people. Watch Zeitgeist and Tell Others
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Captain Cubensis
Bleeding HeartLiberal


Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 648
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Re: Is my fishtank heater too weak? [Re: buggas]
#7505594 - 10/10/07 02:22 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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YES, your apartment is fine, room temp is all you need!
-------------------- www.groworganic.com Get 350lbs shipped to your door for only $100! www.mycosupply.com Online Organic Rye Berries www.hydroponics.net/i/200002 The Cyclestat 4P, a great repeat cycle timer made in the USA.
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Walter1496211
Window Washer



Registered: 09/09/07
Posts: 639
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Re: Is my fishtank heater too weak? [Re: buggas]
#7505610 - 10/10/07 02:25 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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I think they should be alright it will take a bit longer though since the surounding air is a bit colder. A lot of people say that a room temp is perfect and is fine ie Rogger Rabbit. Others say that having your jars at 80-84 is perfect. The concept of the 10 degree change is if your tub is sealed hot air is trapped in there and there is an organic proccess going on so it creates a lot of heat thats why the temp raises. This would not happen so much if your jars were just sitting out because they are not confined in a tub surrounded by hot water.
-------------------- you see the world through the window of your experience
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Captain Cubensis
Bleeding HeartLiberal


Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 648
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Re: Is my fish tank heater too weak? [Re: Walter1496211]
#7505621 - 10/10/07 02:29 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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It's not that crucial, if you are patient.
Like my foaf says, if you knock-up jars every week, you will soon be birthing jars every week, regardless of how long it actually takes each jar to colonize.
Most heater teks increase risk, electricity usage, timers, and overall work, since you have to constantly check the temps to be careful.
An ambient room temp requires none of this risk or extra work.
My foaf has a good space heater and room thermometer, thats all he needs, if it gets to 80 in the room, it's too hot, 68 is too cool.
But like I said, some strains will colonize and fruit at 60 degrees.
-------------------- www.groworganic.com Get 350lbs shipped to your door for only $100! www.mycosupply.com Online Organic Rye Berries www.hydroponics.net/i/200002 The Cyclestat 4P, a great repeat cycle timer made in the USA.
Edited by Captain Cubensis (10/10/07 02:30 PM)
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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Thanks for all the valuable input...gonna definitely take it all into consideration. Makes me not sure what I wanna do just yet in terms of incubation.....hmmm
-------------------- Life is one big road with lots of signs, So when you're ridin' through the ruts, Don't you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy Don't bury your thoughts, Put your vision to reality, yeah!
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Walter1496211
Window Washer



Registered: 09/09/07
Posts: 639
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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I agree if your a beginer I would just be patient. It is way to easy to end up with your tub roasting at a solid 90 degrees you really have to watch it. And yes good point it is less work and less energy wasted.
-------------------- you see the world through the window of your experience
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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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PS: what's a foaf? lol. Reminds me of loaf.
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VisionsToReality
RIBBONS


Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1,083
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Re: Is my fish tank heater too weak? [Re: Walter1496211]
#7505649 - 10/10/07 02:36 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Walter1496211 said: I agree if your a beginer I would just be patient. It is way to easy to end up with your tub roasting at a solid 90 degrees you really have to watch it. And yes good point it is less work and less energy wasted.
Yeah I don't like the idea of running electricity all day long. That gets me. I'm starting to lean towards the no-heat method, here....
A week more of incubation kinda sucks, not only because you have to wait longer, but because it means contamination could set in more easily...which I suppose doesn't matter if you do what you do in a clean way....and if you just keep knocking up week by week...!
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Captain Cubensis
Bleeding HeartLiberal


Registered: 09/18/07
Posts: 648
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A foaf is a friend of a friend, since I myself don't know anything about mycology because I don't even like mushies...lol
Like my foaf said, knock them up every week, birth them every week=continuous supply, with no heaters.
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anomaly420
This guy!

Registered: 09/07/07
Posts: 32
Last seen: 14 years, 10 months
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Quote:
VisionsToReality said:
Quote:
Walter1496211 said: I agree if your a beginer I would just be patient. It is way to easy to end up with your tub roasting at a solid 90 degrees you really have to watch it. And yes good point it is less work and less energy wasted.
Yeah I don't like the idea of running electricity all day long. That gets me. I'm starting to lean towards the no-heat method, here....
A week more of incubation kinda sucks, not only because you have to wait longer, but because it means contamination could set in more easily...which I suppose doesn't matter if you do what you do in a clean way....and if you just keep knocking up week by week...!
A tub-in-tub incubator is a nice thing to have. It really does speed it up. 80-82 is ideal... because there is some internal heat produced by the mycellium which raises the internal temperatures of the jars by like 4 - 6 degrees or so. You don't want the internal temperature of the substrate to exceed 86. I have a tub-in-tub that stays mostly at 82 and the growth is very quick. Check petsmart for good aquarium heaters that you can adjust..
-------------------- Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door.
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NexusOne
Stranger
Registered: 10/01/07
Posts: 20
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Quote:
VisionsToReality said: Maybe I have too much water, although it says 2-15 gallons....so weird how it's not doing much..
I have a few thoughts here ...
It's possible that the heater is working and you can't tell (remember that room temperature water feels colder than room temperature air, because both are lower than your body temperature and water transfers better). Most people shower in 95+ degree (Fahrenheit, of course) water. Don't measure by feel, use a thermometer. You could probably measure the inside of the incubator (where the jars go) if you don't have a submersible thermometer.
It's also possible that you don't have enough water. The heater heats the water close to it and convection should move that heated water around, so that the entire tank gets heated to some degree, but the heater shuts off as soon as it thinks its goal has been accomplished. If the water is not moving around enough, it might fool the heater into thinking it's done when it's not. It could also be that the heat is dissipating rapidly. The water acts like a battery, storing heat and releasing it slowly, the heater charges that battery but stops when it reaches a full charge (which is whatever heat level the heater is set for). The capacity of that battery is the amount of water you heat. The heater has some minimum threshold temperature at which it will engage (otherwise it would run all the time). Basically, the heater heats the water to 80, the water cool (to 77 or something) and the heater kicks on and repeats the cycle.
Quote:
VisionsToReality said: Yeah I don't like the idea of running electricity all day long. That gets me. I'm starting to lean towards the no-heat method, here....
Generally, an aquarium heater (like a space heater) shuts off when the desired temperature is reached, so the amount of electricity wasted is (or should be) negligible.
Quote:
Captain Cubensis said: Well, it's electricity and water first off, minor consideration perhaps, but it does make your set-up at least slightly more dangerous, if not more heavy.
How about a heating pad? Eliminates the need for water?
That it does, when compared to open-air incubation. A heating pad or space heater, however, are far more likely to cause a fire than an aquarium heater, in my humble opinion, especially if you put the aquarium heater on a breaker or fuse so that it turns off if there's an electrical short.
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