can a single 300w heater keep temps in a 180

[Rafini]

its fine, I have 2 300w on my 225 but thats because
1. its 3 feet wide
2. it gets REALLY cold here in the winter (up to -40 celsius)

your 180 will be fine considering the 300w heaters are like 20+ inches long

 

[David R]

I'm not sure the length of the heater improves it's ability to heat the water...


The answer to the original question is entirely dependant on A; the ambient air temp in the room around the tank, B; the temperature you want to heat the tank to, and C; how well insulated the set up is.

 

[skjl47]

I'm not sure the length of the heater improves it's ability to heat the water...


The answer to the original question is entirely dependant on A; the ambient air temp in the room around the tank, B; the temperature you want to heat the tank to, and C; how well insulated the set up is.

Hello; The length does not affect the ability to heat water with regard to power. I have found that hang on the side heaters with long tubes can generate more of a convection current in a tank. I go back to a time when some tanks were run with no power filtration at all and for a considerable time only air powered filtration. I did have some stratification with short tubed heaters and came to prefer those with long tubes. With todays power filters water circulation is not likely to be an issue unless there is a failure.

I do agree with your A,B and C points.