Heater for 180 gallon tank
- Thread starter pt11999
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Yes I agree on this.. I have 3 jagers in my sump and all 3 (400 watts) brand new n has condensation in it. But one thing they all work so not going to worry about it.. all controlled by ranco controller..
I tried the first calculator and came up with ~150W (rounded up). I also understand this represented wattage to sustain the difference between room and desired temp.. I then tried the second calculator and it recommended ~1100W, the total watts at start up. But to be honest I didn't take the time to calculate evaporation and flow rate so I'm sure how much the number would have changed. Although the first calculator was simpler, I think folks with sump need to account for that in the dimensions, whereas in the second, the sump can be accounted for by providing the total gallons and other variables are accounted for. Thanks for sharing that.
If I include my sump, I have about ~300 gallons. I currently us two 500 watt heaters from Catalina Aquatics (with a provided controller). I've not had it for too long but has worked fine. It's able to heat up fairly quickly.
Good point, you definitely need to add in your sump. An easy way would be to calculate the sump seperately and then add Sump Wattage + Tank Wattage to get your grand total.
I've only used the first one from many years ago. I just noticed the second one with a google search and posted it to show how in depth some of them can get. I like to keep things simple and prefer the first.
I insulated my sump and my sump's cabinet, if anything I think it helps hold the temperature. I have a high turnover rate which is really helpful.
I think people oversize heaters and go heater crazy. I have 300w in 120 gallons. Sure, it would take a while to heat cold water to 80° but there's really no reason to have a tropical tank that's ice cold and requires ultra rapid temperature change.
I don't like the idea of having a few 300w heaters which are consistently kicking on and off heating for short periods of time, this just increases the odds of a thermostat failure. I prefer smaller heaters that will be on for longer periods of time, it all evens out to the same on the electrical bill. I guess this is all a moot point if you have a heater controller. (I need to buy one) It shouldn't be an issue, but I don't want a 900w load on a 15amp undedicated circuit continually switching on and off. But that's also a moot point if you own a house and have extra outlets/circuits for your tank.
My "under heated" tank holds steady at 78°. My apartment is colder than most, before I had my daughter I didn't turn my heat on. The tank had no issues. I live in Wisconsin. It's like 4° outside today
People freak out about temperature stability also. Unless you've got some crazy fragile fish like discus or something, I don't care if my tank fluctuates a degree or two over the course of a 24 hour period. You don't think this happens to wild fish? Day/night cycles bring drastic temperature change, swimming from the shallows to deeper water brings drastic temperature change. Winter and summer bring drastic temp changes.
This is just my 2 cents.
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I think people oversize heaters and go heater crazy. I have 300w in 120 gallons. Sure, it would take a while to heat cold water to 80° but there's really no reason to have a tropical tank that's ice cold and requires ultra rapid temperature change.
I don't like the idea of having a few 300w heaters which are consistently kicking on and off heating for short periods of time, this just increases the odds of a thermostat failure. I prefer smaller heaters that will be on for longer periods of time, it all evens out to the same on the electrical bill. I guess this is all a moot point if you have a heater controller. (I need to buy one) It shouldn't be an issue, but I don't want a 900w load on a 15amp undedicated circuit continually switching on and off. But that's also a moot point if you own a house and have extra outlets/circuits for your tank.
My "under heated" tank holds steady at 78°. My apartment is colder than most, before I had my daughter I didn't turn my heat on. The tank had no issues. I live in Wisconsin. It's like 4° outside today
People freak out about temperature stability also. Unless you've got some crazy fragile fish like discus or something, I don't care if my tank fluctuates a degree or two over the course of a 24 hour period. You don't think this happens to wild fish? Day/night cycles bring drastic temperature change, swimming from the shallows to deeper water brings drastic temperature change. Winter and summer bring drastic temp changes.
This is just my 2 cents.
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
^^^According to the first calculator you are more than double of watts than what you should be...LOL. On a serious note, I may or may not have gone as high in wattage in hindsight. I have even used hose water when it was 45=50F outside to fill 2/3 of my tank, so I know the fish can take it...but that's a whole different thread 
. What I do notice is that the my heaters are off most of the time (which isn't a bad thing), and I don't get a lot of on/off. I think everyone's situation is different and it seems it boils down more to preference, than concern/fear of hurting our fish.
. What I do notice is that the my heaters are off most of the time (which isn't a bad thing), and I don't get a lot of on/off. I think everyone's situation is different and it seems it boils down more to preference, than concern/fear of hurting our fish.
