220 Gallon heater

grouper25 · 12/30/2006, 09:12 PM

Can someone advise me on how many watts I should use in a 220. I have two 300 watt titanium heaters I was planning to lay in the refugium but in reading the box it says each is good up to 80 gallons which equates to only 160 while I have 220 gallons. I would have thought 600 watts would be adequate.

Thanks Mates.
G 25

chinaman4u · 12/30/2006, 09:24 PM

I have a 100W and a 50W backup with no issues keeping it at 80 for my total water volume of ~200 gal. I think the halides lights heat the tank more than the heaters. So the heaters just keep things warm at night.

I think the two you have is more than enough. One is for backup in case the first goes.

I should add that my apt, now being winter, is around 64F-68F.

MikeP471612 · 12/30/2006, 09:30 PM

I was told to get two 250's for my 190g. I would think that what you have should be fine. A couple things to consider are how much heat your return pump, powerheads and lights will add to the tank. Also factor in the size of your sump. I haven't got my tank going yet but when I set it up I'll try things out with what I have now and see where the temp sits before I buy another/bigger heater.

HTH

poppin_fresh · 12/30/2006, 10:30 PM

You might be fine with 600 watts total, or not. My 72 bow with a 100 gal sump in the basement can barely maintain 78 degrees with 600 watts of heat. This has mainly due to the fact that the basement is a constant 60 degrees.

At work my 180 with a 40 gallon sump easily maintains 80 with 600 watts of heating. This tank/sump is at normal room temp all the time, requiring less wattage.

BTTRFLYGRL · 12/31/2006, 12:30 AM

600 watts is fine..I use 2-300 watts in my 240 [with 40 gallon sump]

Spuds725 · 12/31/2006, 07:28 AM

I have 200 watts of heat on my tank-- 160 gallons of volume... This can maintain my tank 10 degrees warmer then my house inside temp without any problems...

Unless you are letting your house get real cold, it should be fine...

Shagsbeard · 12/31/2006, 07:38 AM

Heating depends so much on the environment that the tank is in rather than the number of gallons. Lighting, and the temperature of the room at night are key factors. Also, the geometry of the tank, and if the tank is covered or not play key roles in determining how much heat you need. Anyone who give you a wattage without these stats is just guessing.

grouper25 · 12/31/2006, 08:17 AM

Thanks Shags. I will try the 2 300's and see what happens.
G 25

12/30/2006, 09:12 PM	#1
grouper25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: nj Posts: 523	220 Gallon heater Can someone advise me on how many watts I should use in a 220. I have two 300 watt titanium heaters I was planning to lay in the refugium but in reading the box it says each is good up to 80 gallons which equates to only 160 while I have 220 gallons. I would have thought 600 watts would be adequate. Thanks Mates. G 25 __________________ Grouper25 Current Tank Info: 220 FOWLR, 75 Reef, 55 Exotix Zoas

12/30/2006, 10:30 PM	#4
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	You might be fine with 600 watts total, or not. My 72 bow with a 100 gal sump in the basement can barely maintain 78 degrees with 600 watts of heat. This has mainly due to the fact that the basement is a constant 60 degrees. At work my 180 with a 40 gallon sump easily maintains 80 with 600 watts of heating. This tank/sump is at normal room temp all the time, requiring less wattage. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

12/31/2006, 12:30 AM	#5
BTTRFLYGRL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: INDY Posts: 2,857	600 watts is fine..I use 2-300 watts in my 240 [with 40 gallon sump] __________________ AKA Kim Hardie.. Current Tank Info: 240 gallon FOWLR, 180 gallon reef, 55 gallon for my Dwarf Lion

12/31/2006, 07:28 AM	#6
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	I have 200 watts of heat on my tank-- 160 gallons of volume... This can maintain my tank 10 degrees warmer then my house inside temp without any problems... Unless you are letting your house get real cold, it should be fine... __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

12/31/2006, 08:17 AM	#8
grouper25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: nj Posts: 523	Thanks Shags. I will try the 2 300's and see what happens. G 25 __________________ Grouper25 Current Tank Info: 220 FOWLR, 75 Reef, 55 Exotix Zoas

12/30/2006, 09:24 PM	#2
chinaman4u Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: PennStatePA Posts: 600	I have a 100W and a 50W backup with no issues keeping it at 80 for my total water volume of ~200 gal. I think the halides lights heat the tank more than the heaters. So the heaters just keep things warm at night. I think the two you have is more than enough. One is for backup in case the first goes. I should add that my apt, now being winter, is around 64F-68F.

12/30/2006, 09:30 PM	#3
MikeP471612 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 379	I was told to get two 250's for my 190g. I would think that what you have should be fine. A couple things to consider are how much heat your return pump, powerheads and lights will add to the tank. Also factor in the size of your sump. I haven't got my tank going yet but when I set it up I'll try things out with what I have now and see where the temp sits before I buy another/bigger heater. HTH

12/31/2006, 07:38 AM	#7
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Heating depends so much on the environment that the tank is in rather than the number of gallons. Lighting, and the temperature of the room at night are key factors. Also, the geometry of the tank, and if the tank is covered or not play key roles in determining how much heat you need. Anyone who give you a wattage without these stats is just guessing.