Heater
- Thread starter johniii
- Start date
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">They say 1 watt per gallon as a short answer but read below.</span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I would use 2 heaters for just incase. You will never get them calibrated to come on/off together but close. I bought 250w and the reason was they were on sale and cheaper than a 150 or 200. </span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">My reason for 2 is during normal times one would be enough but since I don’t have central heat there could be times when the temp could be lower than one heater would work and one larger heater would be too big. This way one heater would not be on 24/7 trying to keep up. </span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I would use 2 heaters for just incase. You will never get them calibrated to come on/off together but close. I bought 250w and the reason was they were on sale and cheaper than a 150 or 200. </span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">My reason for 2 is during normal times one would be enough but since I don’t have central heat there could be times when the temp could be lower than one heater would work and one larger heater would be too big. This way one heater would not be on 24/7 trying to keep up. </span></span>
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I think most recommend 3 - 5 Watts per gallon on heaters. I have 150w & 175w on 90 gal and they have a hard time keeping up.
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John , Im using 2 x 200W heaters in my system. I have 1 in my Sump and 1 in my refugium. they seem to be doing a great job keeping temp at 78 deg consistently. But they do stay on most of the time, so Jef4y may have the better solution using 300 watts
I have a volume of 305 gallons
I have a volume of 305 gallons
Also, just me, but I keep a heater in the display and one in the sump. Overall I find it does a better job at keeping the temps constant (or so it seems), and I have added peace of mind that the DT will stay at the proper temp if the return pump ever fails.
I have always gone by a 3 watt per gallon rule
(there's some 'wiggle' room here, so close is ok, err on the low side if anything)
I also think 2 (or more) heaters instead of one bigger one is a good idea. If one fails, the other(s) will still work.
A temp controller/Apex can add a LOT of peace of mind!
(think- if a heater gets stuck in the 'on' position, controller turns it off)
Over my many years in this hobby, I have been very fortunate with heaters. I try to buy the best available (I like Eheims right now). This is something you just can't afford to take shortcuts on, and really get what you pay for. A great heater is not that much more than a cheap one, and a lot less than buying new fish!
My $0.02
(there's some 'wiggle' room here, so close is ok, err on the low side if anything)
I also think 2 (or more) heaters instead of one bigger one is a good idea. If one fails, the other(s) will still work.
A temp controller/Apex can add a LOT of peace of mind!
(think- if a heater gets stuck in the 'on' position, controller turns it off)
Over my many years in this hobby, I have been very fortunate with heaters. I try to buy the best available (I like Eheims right now). This is something you just can't afford to take shortcuts on, and really get what you pay for. A great heater is not that much more than a cheap one, and a lot less than buying new fish!
My $0.02
