Are 2 50 watt heaters good for a 55

2swift · 10/16/2006, 08:46 AM

Are 2 50 watt heaters good for a 55 gallon with 20 gallon sump?
We will be using 2 50 watt Hagen Tronics.

doox00 · 10/16/2006, 08:47 AM

I would think for a 55 two 100's may be better. I use two 150's in my 90 with 30g sump. Mainly for backup reason, or if one breaks in the on position I should notice before it fries my tank, 2 smaller heaters is better that 1 large.

Shagsbeard · 10/16/2006, 08:58 AM

Many say the opposite, that one strong, dependable, heater is better. I'd say both strategies are fine. The problem with heaters is they have so many different ways they can mess up your tank, and the different strategies of heating work on different problems.

I'm not one to consult on heating issues though, since in my area we never see temperature problems like some areas can. We didn't see 90F this summer, and we'll probably not see 20Fs this winter.

alkataz · 10/16/2006, 11:58 AM

I use 2x100watts in my 55 with great success. I keep another 50watt heater on hand just in case the boiler goes out again

joe90usa · 10/16/2006, 02:01 PM

4 to 5 watts per gallon is the way to go to make sure you have coverage. In a 55, two 100 watt heaters should be fine unless you like a very cool room in which case you might want two 150 watt heaters.

The concept of splitting up the wattage into 2 heaters is that if one freaks out and gets stuck in the "on" position, it does not have enough power to totally cook your tank.

Good luck and enjoy your tank.

10/16/2006, 08:46 AM	#1
2swift Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruskin,FLA Posts: 876	Are 2 50 watt heaters good for a 55 Are 2 50 watt heaters good for a 55 gallon with 20 gallon sump? We will be using 2 50 watt Hagen Tronics. __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Current Tank Info: 150g with twin FX4 canisters-Jebao 90Wave maker-2 AQUASKY Fluval Lights-AquaMaxx TS-2 Sulfur Denitrator

10/16/2006, 11:58 AM	#4
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	I use 2x100watts in my 55 with great success. I keep another 50watt heater on hand just in case the boiler goes out again __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

10/16/2006, 08:47 AM	#2
doox00 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 928	I would think for a 55 two 100's may be better. I use two 150's in my 90 with 30g sump. Mainly for backup reason, or if one breaks in the on position I should notice before it fries my tank, 2 smaller heaters is better that 1 large.

10/16/2006, 08:58 AM	#3
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Many say the opposite, that one strong, dependable, heater is better. I'd say both strategies are fine. The problem with heaters is they have so many different ways they can mess up your tank, and the different strategies of heating work on different problems. I'm not one to consult on heating issues though, since in my area we never see temperature problems like some areas can. We didn't see 90F this summer, and we'll probably not see 20Fs this winter.

10/16/2006, 02:01 PM	#5
joe90usa Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ABQ Posts: 118	4 to 5 watts per gallon is the way to go to make sure you have coverage. In a 55, two 100 watt heaters should be fine unless you like a very cool room in which case you might want two 150 watt heaters. The concept of splitting up the wattage into 2 heaters is that if one freaks out and gets stuck in the "on" position, it does not have enough power to totally cook your tank. Good luck and enjoy your tank.