Which wattage heater would be more efficient?

Josh_84 · 09/15/2014, 08:03 PM

Hi guys
Currently running a 250w Jager on my system, which is a 120g display and a 40g sump. Wondering if adding a higher wattage heater (350+) would be better since it would run for shorter lengths of time, or just stick with the 250 which stays on for fairly long periods of time, or would it end up basically just being about the same? I don't want more than 1 heater in the sump as the jagers are already huge as it is. I'm also considering buying a finnex titanium, since I have a controller, but have read some poor reviews on them. What do others think that use them?
Thanks!

toomany · 09/15/2014, 08:50 PM

The size of the heater won't make much of a difference. The tank will still require the same amount of wattage to heat. Weather you use one large heater or several small ones. A larger one will run less often, but use more electricity over a shorter period of time. Smaller heaters will run more often. In the end it will equal out.

I'm in the camp that two smaller heaters is better than one larger one. If the larger one fails to turn off it can overheat your tank.

James77 · 09/15/2014, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany

I'm in the camp that two smaller heaters is better than one larger one. If the larger one fails to turn off it can overheat your tank.

This.

The tank will need a certain amount of heat no matter what. Less chance of problems if you have a couple or few. Even better if you put them on a dedicated temperature controller like a Ranco

scott71 · 09/15/2014, 10:58 PM

2 will work better than one just do to water flow if you can seperate them in your sump. More contact surface with 2.

Josh_84 · 09/16/2014, 07:26 PM

I used to run 2 but hated how much room the jagers took up in the sump. I don't have enough room to separate them to gain any real advantage in that respect. If I add a 2nd one, it will be within inches of the other. I suppose I could replace it with a pair of smaller titanium heaters as I currently control the heat with my apex. Anyone have opinions of the titanium? Hate to ditch the jagers as they are tried and true, just too damn big!

09/15/2014, 08:03 PM	#1
Josh_84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kitchener, On Posts: 201	Which wattage heater would be more efficient? Hi guys Currently running a 250w Jager on my system, which is a 120g display and a 40g sump. Wondering if adding a higher wattage heater (350+) would be better since it would run for shorter lengths of time, or just stick with the 250 which stays on for fairly long periods of time, or would it end up basically just being about the same? I don't want more than 1 heater in the sump as the jagers are already huge as it is. I'm also considering buying a finnex titanium, since I have a controller, but have read some poor reviews on them. What do others think that use them? Thanks!

09/15/2014, 08:50 PM	#2
toomany Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 84	The size of the heater won't make much of a difference. The tank will still require the same amount of wattage to heat. Weather you use one large heater or several small ones. A larger one will run less often, but use more electricity over a shorter period of time. Smaller heaters will run more often. In the end it will equal out. I'm in the camp that two smaller heaters is better than one larger one. If the larger one fails to turn off it can overheat your tank.

09/15/2014, 10:58 PM	#4
scott71 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 51	2 will work better than one just do to water flow if you can seperate them in your sump. More contact surface with 2.

09/16/2014, 07:26 PM	#5
Josh_84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kitchener, On Posts: 201	I used to run 2 but hated how much room the jagers took up in the sump. I don't have enough room to separate them to gain any real advantage in that respect. If I add a 2nd one, it will be within inches of the other. I suppose I could replace it with a pair of smaller titanium heaters as I currently control the heat with my apex. Anyone have opinions of the titanium? Hate to ditch the jagers as they are tried and true, just too damn big!