Help with heaters please

GaryTurtle

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Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
I have mine situated horizontally- even in my other tank that has deeper water. It works fine. I watched a video from Aquarium Co-op on YouTube that recommends mounting your heater either horizontally or at an angle ROUTINELY.
Their reasoning is this. The more a heater cycles on and off, the sooner it will wear out or malfunction. When it's mounted vertically, the warm water immediately around the heater rises and the temperature sensor, which is in the head or the top of the heater, senses the heat and so cycles off. The water around it cools a bit, so it cycles back on again, etc etc etc. But if the heater is mounted horizontally or at an angle, MORE of the water is heated before there is sufficient heat in the tank for the sensor to cycle off. The idea is that a vertically mounted heater cycles on and off a lot more often than a horizontally or angle mounted heater, so it will wear out sooner; the horizontally or angle-mounted heaters will last longer.
I'm no expert, but that logic makes sense to me. So all mine are mounted horizontally.

Yes, Millie checked out her heaters both before and after I put the guards on them. The gaps in the egg crate are much too small for her to get her head or foot into. If your musk turtle is an adult, then there should be no problem; Millie is 4 inches long. Gary sounds like a curious little guy- kinda like my Millie is! that's part of what makes them fun. :)

I hope this helps! And don't apologize for asking questions!!!! Wanting to learn is a GOOD thing!!!!!!! :)
Thanks again
 

GaryTurtle

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
Happy to help!
Really! ?
Me again and again. Today I took Gary out as usual to do a 25% water change. All was well until I put him back in. Instead of him looking around before he slides off the top of fake hollow tree log, he immediately turned the other way and ran, i kid you not, ran to the heater. He was fixin to attack the intruder.
I moved him off of it back to the shallow end and he took off again to the heater. It’s over his head and he can't swim. I'd say that taught him a lesson but I'd be wrong.

I looked up my heater to get the dimensions. It's in inches. 1.25 x 1.25 x 10. How wide do I cut the ceiling tiles? I'm going to post a picture
 

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GaryTurtle

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
Me again and again. Today I took Gary out as usual to do a 25% water change. All was well until I put him back in. Instead of him looking around before he slides off the top of fake hollow tree log, he immediately turned the other way and ran, i kid you not, ran to the heater. He was fixin to attack the intruder.
I moved him off of it back to the shallow end and he took off again to the heater. It’s over his head and he can't swim. I'd say that taught him a lesson but I'd be wrong.

I looked up my heater to get the dimensions. It's in inches. 1.25 x 1.25 x 10. How wide do I cut the ceiling tiles? I'm going to post a picture
One last thing? The picture is with the camera pointed at the bottom of the tank
 

Moozillion

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10 Year Member!
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Messages
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A couple of thoughts, here.
One is that MAYBE he wanted to get warm quickly? My Millie likes to get UNDER her heater in its guard even though her tank is always 78*. He might also want to hide under it?
Two is let him attack it. He can't hurt it, it is not likely to hurt him, and he will get discouraged and quit.

By the way, how big is your turtle- just the flat length of his plastron (belly)? Do you know how old he is?

There are lots of ways to cut the light diffuser panels.
I just UNPLUGGED my heater and lay it on the light diffuser, then I took a sharpie and marked off a large-ish rectangle around it for my base. I first used pliers: just grab one of the plastic cross pieces firmly and twist. It snaps very easily. It's tedious but it works. I now use Diagonal Cutting Wire Cutters. They're inexpensive ($10 or so) and work fine.
Once I had the bottom cut out, I cut 2 more pretty much just like it and propped them all together to see if I liked it. I didn't- it seemed much too roomy. So I cut the top 2 pieces down until I had a shape that held the heater easily with just a little wiggle room. I tied those together with the cable ties. I also had to start over a time or 2 when I cut one of the pieces too short, etc. It's not an exact science- at least not the way I approach it!!!! :p
For the end pieces, I just cut small squares, just enough to cover. If you recall from the photo, mine are sort of triangular- like a long Boy Scout tent. The light diffuser doesn't really cut/break into neat triangles, so I just cut the smallest squares that would fit, and tied them on with the cable ties.
I had a lot of light diffuser left over, and lots of pieces that either I hadn't cut right or were too small to use. That's just the way it goes.
One thing I found out is that there WILL be times where you have to remove the heater from it's guard to clean it. The heater may get coated with algae or with a mineral crust, both of which will affect the function of the heater. So I made the end piece where the wire went in very slightly looser than the other end, so that it would be easier to get the jaws of the wire cutters on it to cut off the cable ties. You can also use a utility knife to cut the cable ties, but I am liking my wire cutters more and more. ?

I hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
And other people may have better ideas. I am NOT a professional builder, aquarium or otherwise- I just wing it with what I've got!!! ?
 

GaryTurtle

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
A couple of thoughts, here.
One is that MAYBE he wanted to get warm quickly? My Millie likes to get UNDER her heater in its guard even though her tank is always 78*. He might also want to hide under it?
Two is let him attack it. He can't hurt it, it is not likely to hurt him, and he will get discouraged and quit.

By the way, how big is your turtle- just the flat length of his plastron (belly)? Do you know how old he is?

There are lots of ways to cut the light diffuser panels.
I just UNPLUGGED my heater and lay it on the light diffuser, then I took a sharpie and marked off a large-ish rectangle around it for my base. I first used pliers: just grab one of the plastic cross pieces firmly and twist. It snaps very easily. It's tedious but it works. I now use Diagonal Cutting Wire Cutters. They're inexpensive ($10 or so) and work fine.
Once I had the bottom cut out, I cut 2 more pretty much just like it and propped them all together to see if I liked it. I didn't- it seemed much too roomy. So I cut the top 2 pieces down until I had a shape that held the heater easily with just a little wiggle room. I tied those together with the cable ties. I also had to start over a time or 2 when I cut one of the pieces too short, etc. It's not an exact science- at least not the way I approach it!!!! :p
For the end pieces, I just cut small squares, just enough to cover. If you recall from the photo, mine are sort of triangular- like a long Boy Scout tent. The light diffuser doesn't really cut/break into neat triangles, so I just cut the smallest squares that would fit, and tied them on with the cable ties.
I had a lot of light diffuser left over, and lots of pieces that either I hadn't cut right or were too small to use. That's just the way it goes.
One thing I found out is that there WILL be times where you have to remove the heater from it's guard to clean it. The heater may get coated with algae or with a mineral crust, both of which will affect the function of the heater. So I made the end piece where the wire went in very slightly looser than the other end, so that it would be easier to get the jaws of the wire cutters on it to cut off the cable ties. You can also use a utility knife to cut the cable ties, but I am liking my wire cutters more and more. ?

I hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
And other people may have better ideas. I am NOT a professional builder, aquarium or otherwise- I just wing it with what I've got!!! ?
Something different. This morning Gary is doing weird stuff. Hanging from his mouth is part of shrimp i gave him, disregard that.
Can you see video and tell me what is up? Sorry poor quality.
A couple of thoughts, here.
One is that MAYBE he wanted to get warm quickly? My Millie likes to get UNDER her heater in its guard even though her tank is always 78*. He might also want to hide under it?
Two is let him attack it. He can't hurt it, it is not likely to hurt him, and he will get discouraged and quit.

By the way, how big is your turtle- just the flat length of his plastron (belly)? Do you know how old he is?

There are lots of ways to cut the light diffuser panels.
I just UNPLUGGED my heater and lay it on the light diffuser, then I took a sharpie and marked off a large-ish rectangle around it for my base. I first used pliers: just grab one of the plastic cross pieces firmly and twist. It snaps very easily. It's tedious but it works. I now use Diagonal Cutting Wire Cutters. They're inexpensive ($10 or so) and work fine.
Once I had the bottom cut out, I cut 2 more pretty much just like it and propped them all together to see if I liked it. I didn't- it seemed much too roomy. So I cut the top 2 pieces down until I had a shape that held the heater easily with just a little wiggle room. I tied those together with the cable ties. I also had to start over a time or 2 when I cut one of the pieces too short, etc. It's not an exact science- at least not the way I approach it!!!! :p
For the end pieces, I just cut small squares, just enough to cover. If you recall from the photo, mine are sort of triangular- like a long Boy Scout tent. The light diffuser doesn't really cut/break into neat triangles, so I just cut the smallest squares that would fit, and tied them on with the cable ties.
I had a lot of light diffuser left over, and lots of pieces that either I hadn't cut right or were too small to use. That's just the way it goes.
One thing I found out is that there WILL be times where you have to remove the heater from it's guard to clean it. The heater may get coated with algae or with a mineral crust, both of which will affect the function of the heater. So I made the end piece where the wire went in very slightly looser than the other end, so that it would be easier to get the jaws of the wire cutters on it to cut off the cable ties. You can also use a utility knife to cut the cable ties, but I am liking my wire cutters more and more. ?

I hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
And other people may have better ideas. I am NOT a professional builder, aquarium or otherwise- I just wing it with what I've got!!! ?
Sorry it's a long answer. With this answer keep in mind I'm old.
This year my son graduated high school. He's now off at college. He's an only child. His senior year he worked at a crawfish stand. The weekend of mother's day he brought this turtle home. He told me that they're always getting turtles in their crawfish bags. Where the crawfish originally were purchased is about 4 or so hours from me. My son decided to bring this one home. I've never had a aquatic anything before. His thinking is, my attention will drift to the turtle and not be sad he's leaving. I've heard you should return the turtle where they were. I don't know where he started out at or i would have returned him to his home. He is a wild turtle. His bottom shell is about 2 1/2 inches. I have no idea how old he is. I wish I could tell. He doesn't like a fast flowing current and he hates anything that make noise, heaters, You have been so very helpful to me through my learning experience. I know I'll have many more questions.
I have a 40 gallon breeder aquarium. Right now I have a Fluval U-4 filter set horizontally on the back side (short) wall, with it's top, where I open to change media. I have the heater top, where the electric cord is attached on the back wall. These 2 form an "L in the back corner. I know I've got to move one of them because it's cramped, I can't open my filter top with the heater being so close. I thought I was supposed to have the heater closest to the outflow of the filter. What do you know about that? Does it matter if they're close to each other?
A couple of thoughts, here.
One is that MAYBE he wanted to get warm quickly? My Millie likes to get UNDER her heater in its guard even though her tank is always 78*. He might also want to hide under it?
Two is let him attack it. He can't hurt it, it is not likely to hurt him, and he will get discouraged and quit.

By the way, how big is your turtle- just the flat length of his plastron (belly)? Do you know how old he is?

There are lots of ways to cut the light diffuser panels.
I just UNPLUGGED my heater and lay it on the light diffuser, then I took a sharpie and marked off a large-ish rectangle around it for my base. I first used pliers: just grab one of the plastic cross pieces firmly and twist. It snaps very easily. It's tedious but it works. I now use Diagonal Cutting Wire Cutters. They're inexpensive ($10 or so) and work fine.
Once I had the bottom cut out, I cut 2 more pretty much just like it and propped them all together to see if I liked it. I didn't- it seemed much too roomy. So I cut the top 2 pieces down until I had a shape that held the heater easily with just a little wiggle room. I tied those together with the cable ties. I also had to start over a time or 2 when I cut one of the pieces too short, etc. It's not an exact science- at least not the way I approach it!!!! :p
For the end pieces, I just cut small squares, just enough to cover. If you recall from the photo, mine are sort of triangular- like a long Boy Scout tent. The light diffuser doesn't really cut/break into neat triangles, so I just cut the smallest squares that would fit, and tied them on with the cable ties.
I had a lot of light diffuser left over, and lots of pieces that either I hadn't cut right or were too small to use. That's just the way it goes.
One thing I found out is that there WILL be times where you have to remove the heater from it's guard to clean it. The heater may get coated with algae or with a mineral crust, both of which will affect the function of the heater. So I made the end piece where the wire went in very slightly looser than the other end, so that it would be easier to get the jaws of the wire cutters on it to cut off the cable ties. You can also use a utility knife to cut the cable ties, but I am liking my wire cutters more and more. ?

I hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
And other people may have better ideas. I am NOT a professional builder, aquarium or otherwise- I just wing it with what I've got!!! ?
I spent a while answering you. I couldn't find the send button and I think I lost what I typed. Maybe someone is telling me to shorten it.

an He's a wild turtle my son retrieved from a crawfish bag
A couple of thoughts, here.
One is that MAYBE he wanted to get warm quickly? My Millie likes to get UNDER her heater in its guard even though her tank is always 78*. He might also want to hide under it?
Two is let him attack it. He can't hurt it, it is not likely to hurt him, and he will get discouraged and quit.

By the way, how big is your turtle- just the flat length of his plastron (belly)? Do you know how old he is?

There are lots of ways to cut the light diffuser panels.
I just UNPLUGGED my heater and lay it on the light diffuser, then I took a sharpie and marked off a large-ish rectangle around it for my base. I first used pliers: just grab one of the plastic cross pieces firmly and twist. It snaps very easily. It's tedious but it works. I now use Diagonal Cutting Wire Cutters. They're inexpensive ($10 or so) and work fine.
Once I had the bottom cut out, I cut 2 more pretty much just like it and propped them all together to see if I liked it. I didn't- it seemed much too roomy. So I cut the top 2 pieces down until I had a shape that held the heater easily with just a little wiggle room. I tied those together with the cable ties. I also had to start over a time or 2 when I cut one of the pieces too short, etc. It's not an exact science- at least not the way I approach it!!!! :p
For the end pieces, I just cut small squares, just enough to cover. If you recall from the photo, mine are sort of triangular- like a long Boy Scout tent. The light diffuser doesn't really cut/break into neat triangles, so I just cut the smallest squares that would fit, and tied them on with the cable ties.
I had a lot of light diffuser left over, and lots of pieces that either I hadn't cut right or were too small to use. That's just the way it goes.
One thing I found out is that there WILL be times where you have to remove the heater from it's guard to clean it. The heater may get coated with algae or with a mineral crust, both of which will affect the function of the heater. So I made the end piece where the wire went in very slightly looser than the other end, so that it would be easier to get the jaws of the wire cutters on it to cut off the cable ties. You can also use a utility knife to cut the cable ties, but I am liking my wire cutters more and more. ?

I hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.
And other people may have better ideas. I am NOT a professional builder, aquarium or otherwise- I just wing it with what I've got!!! ?
I couldn't find the send button so I've tried to answer you a few times and lost that info. Maybe this time I can send it to you. Fingers crossed. My son was working at a crawfish stand last summer, which was his senior year in high school. Gary was attached to a few crawfish when the bag was opened. The crawfish came from somewhere in Louisiana, about 4 hours from me. His bottom shell is about 2 1/2 inches. I have no idea how old he is. I've never done any of this and am grateful for you
 

GaryTurtle

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
Something different. This morning Gary is doing weird stuff. Hanging from his mouth is part of shrimp i gave him, disregard that.
Can you see video and tell me what is up? Sorry poor quality.

Sorry it's a long answer. With this answer keep in mind I'm old.
This year my son graduated high school. He's now off at college. He's an only child. His senior year he worked at a crawfish stand. The weekend of mother's day he brought this turtle home. He told me that they're always getting turtles in their crawfish bags. Where the crawfish originally were purchased is about 4 or so hours from me. My son decided to bring this one home. I've never had a aquatic anything before. His thinking is, my attention will drift to the turtle and not be sad he's leaving. I've heard you should return the turtle where they were. I don't know where he started out at or i would have returned him to his home. He is a wild turtle. His bottom shell is about 2 1/2 inches. I have no idea how old he is. I wish I could tell. He doesn't like a fast flowing current and he hates anything that make noise, heaters, You have been so very helpful to me through my learning experience. I know I'll have many more questions.
I have a 40 gallon breeder aquarium. Right now I have a Fluval U-4 filter set horizontally on the back side (short) wall, with it's top, where I open to change media. I have the heater top, where the electric cord is attached on the back wall. These 2 form an "L in the back corner. I know I've got to move one of them because it's cramped, I can't open my filter top with the heater being so close. I thought I was supposed to have the heater closest to the outflow of the filter. What do you know about that? Does it matter if they're close to each other?


I couldn't find the send button so I've tried to answer you a few times and lost that info. Maybe this time I can send it to you. Fingers crossed. My son was working at a crawfish stand last summer, which was his senior year in high school. Gary was attached to a few crawfish when the bag was opened. The crawfish came from somewhere in Louisiana, about 4 hours from me. His bottom shell is about 2 1/2 inches. I have no idea how old he is. I've never done any of this and am grateful for you
Hey, I think all my responses were sent. Sorry for that
 

Moozillion

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
10,744
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana, USA
No problem, no problem at all.
Ok. A few things.
1) Sorry- I can't see any video.
2) Are you SURE it's a musk turtle? How was this determined and do you have photos?
3) As far as I know, aquatic turtles don't need to be released back where they are from. I hear that about box turtles and tortoises, but aquatic turtles seem to be more mobile, so it's less important for them, maybe.
4) 2 and 1/2 inches says your turtle is still quite young. My musk turtle was 1 inch long when I got him at 2 months of age. Within a year, he was 3 inches long. So that can kind of give you an estimate that's he's under a year old.

I will send you my personal email in the messages section. It might be easier for us to exchange photos and videos etc that way. I also look at my personal email a lot more often than I'm on the forum.
 

Moozillion

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
10,744
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana, USA
I notice you said the turtle came in a sack of crawfish, probably from Louisiana. I live in Louisiana!!! What state are you in, if I may ask?

And it looks like the video didn't go through- at least I can't find it anywhere on this thread.

In answer to another question, I always keep my heater towards the center of the longest wall, about half way between the input and output of the filter. But I use a canister filter, which is outside the tank- just the intake and outflow tubes are in the tank.
 

GaryTurtle

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2021
Messages
15
Location (City and/or State)
Meridian
No problem, no problem at all.
Ok. A few things.
1) Sorry- I can't see any video.
2) Are you SURE it's a musk turtle? How was this determined and do you have photos?
3) As far as I know, aquatic turtles don't need to be released back where they are from. I hear that about box turtles and tortoises, but aquatic turtles seem to be more mobile, so it's less important for them, maybe.
4) 2 and 1/2 inches says your turtle is still quite young. My musk turtle was 1 inch long when I got him at 2 months of age. Within a year, he was 3 inches long. So that can kind of give you an estimate that's he's under a year old.

I will send you my personal email in the messages section. It might be easier for us to exchange photos and videos etc that way. I also look at my personal email a lot more often than I'm on the forum.
Thanks
 
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