what size heater for 425g?

browning_boy20 · 11/29/2013, 06:21 PM

What size heater should I get to supplement my 300w currently in my 425g tank? I usually keep my tank at 74-75 degrees but now that its cold outside the water temp has dropped down to 72. Any reccomendarions on heaters?

igadget56 · 11/29/2013, 06:38 PM

I have a 210, I run 3 100 watt with my Apex.

thegrun · 11/29/2013, 06:50 PM

General rule of thumb is 4-5 watts per gallon. Eheim Jager heaters work well. It is best to use two each rated at half the total wattage wanted.

browning_boy20 · 11/29/2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

General rule of thumb is 4-5 watts per gallon. Eheim Jager heaters work well. It is best to use two each rated at half the total wattage wanted.

Dang that would be 1700 watts at a minimum on up to 2125 watts. Talking about taxing out a 20 amp breaker. I would need to run another circuit if I needed that much heat. I hope I don't need that much.

ca1ore · 11/29/2013, 09:28 PM

Heat required is a function of water volume, ambient temperature and heat loss from the system (if you kept your sump in an unseated garage, for example). I have generally used the rule of thumb of 25 watts per ten gallons to maintain a tank 10 degrees above ambient. If you keep your room at around 68 degrees and require a tank temperature of 78 degrees, then wattage needed to maintain 425 gallons would be about 1,000 watts, give or take. Larger volumes lose heat more slowly than smaller volumes, so you might be able to go a bit lower. I'd start with three 300 watt eheim jager heaters and see how you do. If they don't seem to be keeping up, or are on all the time, then add a fourth. In use a pair of these heaters on my 265 (total system volume of about 325).

browning_boy20 · 11/29/2013, 09:34 PM

I keep my room at 70 and my sump is in the bottom of the stand. I am going g to buy another 300 tomorrow and see how it does.

11/29/2013, 06:21 PM	#1
browning_boy20 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 425	what size heater for 425g? What size heater should I get to supplement my 300w currently in my 425g tank? I usually keep my tank at 74-75 degrees but now that its cold outside the water temp has dropped down to 72. Any reccomendarions on heaters?

11/29/2013, 06:38 PM	#2
igadget56 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 820	I have a 210, I run 3 100 watt with my Apex.

11/29/2013, 06:50 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	General rule of thumb is 4-5 watts per gallon. Eheim Jager heaters work well. It is best to use two each rated at half the total wattage wanted.

11/29/2013, 09:28 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Heat required is a function of water volume, ambient temperature and heat loss from the system (if you kept your sump in an unseated garage, for example). I have generally used the rule of thumb of 25 watts per ten gallons to maintain a tank 10 degrees above ambient. If you keep your room at around 68 degrees and require a tank temperature of 78 degrees, then wattage needed to maintain 425 gallons would be about 1,000 watts, give or take. Larger volumes lose heat more slowly than smaller volumes, so you might be able to go a bit lower. I'd start with three 300 watt eheim jager heaters and see how you do. If they don't seem to be keeping up, or are on all the time, then add a fourth. In use a pair of these heaters on my 265 (total system volume of about 325).

11/29/2013, 09:34 PM	#6
browning_boy20 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 425	I keep my room at 70 and my sump is in the bottom of the stand. I am going g to buy another 300 tomorrow and see how it does.