Heaters

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 08:52 PM

I know you need about 3 watts per gallon of heating..

For my 55 gallon tank... 3 watts per gall is 165 watts...

Would it be safe to buy (2) 100 watts? Or do I need 165 smack dab on the nose?

funman1 · 09/02/2007, 08:55 PM

Yes (2) 100's would be perfect.
That way if one fails in either direction (on/off) then you have some reaction time to repair the problem.

The tank will slowly over heat, or the tank will slowly get cold.
Yes you double your chance of failure (two units) but it may just save your tank when one fails, because it will give you time to notice a smaller problem.

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 09:01 PM

Awesome thanks... although I don't understand what you mean by doubling your chance at failing.... speaking if both overheat as an example? Thanks again :0)

Percula9 · 09/02/2007, 09:09 PM

I have a 55gal and use a 250 watt Ebo-Jaeger. It works really well for me. They don't make 165 watt heaters. It's better to have more then not enough. I would go with at least 200 watts. General rule of thumb is 2-4 watts per gallon. Heater with a lower wattage will be on more often then one of higher wattage. Especially during the winter months. Minimum for your tank would be 150 watts. I recommend at least 200watts.

szwab · 09/02/2007, 09:17 PM

better to go with 2 under sized heaters than a single one over/right on.

what funman 1 was trying to say is if a heater sticks on or fails to heat you still have one working. that should be able to handle things until you noticeand not be strong enough to over heat the tank should it fail to turn off.

heater thermostats are notorious for failing. (any brand)
best situation would to have your heaters on a controller.

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 09:28 PM

I'll look into that. Also picking up a thermometer... could someone kindly point me to a reasonable one from this page
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...category_ID=40

I know the stick on lcd slip one suck. Any opinions?

funman1 · 09/02/2007, 09:36 PM

I personally like this one...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

The more of something you have the greater chance one of them will break.
IE: if you had 20 10Watt heaters getting one to fail is 19x more likely than if you had one 200W heater.
The more things you have the greater the chance for one of them to fail is..

But like I said I'd go with 2 heaters because of the reasons mentioned above, even though now it's twice as likely that one will fail.

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 09:45 PM

Hmm... I'll see if I can find one that reasonably ships to Canada.

szwab · 09/02/2007, 09:48 PM

no experience with any of those. Easy to check them against a glass thermometer though.

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 09:50 PM

How long do heaters normally last and what kind of a controller do you use to monitor your heaters?
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...category_ID=53

I'm only using that site b/c they are from Canada... so shipping is easier.

chatyak · 09/02/2007, 10:00 PM

This one seems reasonable enough for now and to get going.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ct_ID=mc-bdllt

szwab · 09/03/2007, 11:33 PM

I have an Aquacontroller III
you could also use a controller like a medusa or similar.

09/02/2007, 08:52 PM	#1
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	Heaters I know you need about 3 watts per gallon of heating.. For my 55 gallon tank... 3 watts per gall is 165 watts... Would it be safe to buy (2) 100 watts? Or do I need 165 smack dab on the nose?

09/02/2007, 08:55 PM	#2
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 4,898	Yes (2) 100's would be perfect. That way if one fails in either direction (on/off) then you have some reaction time to repair the problem. The tank will slowly over heat, or the tank will slowly get cold. Yes you double your chance of failure (two units) but it may just save your tank when one fails, because it will give you time to notice a smaller problem. __________________ Professional Pyro: NO REALLY; I get PAID to blow stuff up!! ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 12G NANO

09/02/2007, 09:01 PM	#3
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	Awesome thanks... although I don't understand what you mean by doubling your chance at failing.... speaking if both overheat as an example? Thanks again :0) __________________ Fishville

09/02/2007, 09:17 PM	#5
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	better to go with 2 under sized heaters than a single one over/right on. what funman 1 was trying to say is if a heater sticks on or fails to heat you still have one working. that should be able to handle things until you noticeand not be strong enough to over heat the tank should it fail to turn off. heater thermostats are notorious for failing. (any brand) best situation would to have your heaters on a controller. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

09/02/2007, 09:28 PM	#6
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	I'll look into that. Also picking up a thermometer... could someone kindly point me to a reasonable one from this page http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...category_ID=40 I know the stick on lcd slip one suck. Any opinions? __________________ Fishville

09/02/2007, 09:09 PM	#4
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	I have a 55gal and use a 250 watt Ebo-Jaeger. It works really well for me. They don't make 165 watt heaters. It's better to have more then not enough. I would go with at least 200 watts. General rule of thumb is 2-4 watts per gallon. Heater with a lower wattage will be on more often then one of higher wattage. Especially during the winter months. Minimum for your tank would be 150 watts. I recommend at least 200watts.

09/02/2007, 09:36 PM	#7
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 4,898	I personally like this one... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1 The more of something you have the greater chance one of them will break. IE: if you had 20 10Watt heaters getting one to fail is 19x more likely than if you had one 200W heater. The more things you have the greater the chance for one of them to fail is.. But like I said I'd go with 2 heaters because of the reasons mentioned above, even though now it's twice as likely that one will fail. __________________ Professional Pyro: NO REALLY; I get PAID to blow stuff up!! ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 12G NANO

09/02/2007, 09:45 PM	#8
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	Hmm... I'll see if I can find one that reasonably ships to Canada. __________________ Fishville

09/02/2007, 09:48 PM	#9
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	no experience with any of those. Easy to check them against a glass thermometer though. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

09/02/2007, 09:50 PM	#10
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	How long do heaters normally last and what kind of a controller do you use to monitor your heaters? http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...category_ID=53 I'm only using that site b/c they are from Canada... so shipping is easier. __________________ Fishville

09/02/2007, 10:00 PM	#11
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	This one seems reasonable enough for now and to get going. http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ct_ID=mc-bdllt __________________ Fishville

09/03/2007, 11:33 PM	#12
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	I have an Aquacontroller III you could also use a controller like a medusa or similar. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex