Heater help

[Loki88]

Hi all,
So I'm about to set up a 180gallon 6x2x2 tank. It'll be a South American cichlid tank. So I'm searching for heaters best suitable for it. I'm looking into a eheim 300w. On their site it says rated for 600-1000L. Has anyone had experience with just using 1 of these in this size tank? Just worried only one side of the tank will be heated and don't really want to place it in the middle of the tank as it'll be quite the eyesore. Thanks in advance

 

[Bearsjfk]

I have a 180 gallon and I use 2 300 watt ehiem heaters. I don’t think one will be enough. I usually try to hide my heaters behind tall decorations

 

[jake37]

A lot depends on your target temp and the room temp. If your target temp is 75 and the room temp is between 70 and 78 then 1 is probably enough. If the target temp is 84 and the room temp is between 66 and 82 then you would probably be safer with 3.

 

[Rocksor]

Get a heater controller if you run more than 1 heater. This prevents one heater from doing all the work, and wearing it down. I can keep my 240g heated at 76F (room temp 68-70f) with 2 eheim 300 watt. Since I have a heater controller, both heaters turn on at 75F, and it takes ~ 1 hour to raise the temperature by 1 degree.

 

[neutrino]

Don't know about a single 300 watt heater for a 180, but I agree with target temp vs. room temp as the determining factor, for years I've used less than manufacturers' recommended heater wattage per gallon because my tank vs. room difference is normally within ten degrees-- and I typically run heaters 8-10 years before replacing, so this has not affected heater life (Fluval heaters). As far as placement, good tank circulation and strategic placement relative to filter flow has always worked for me, meaning heaters don't need to be in the middle of the tank.

 

[Cich Mind]

Hi all,
So I'm about to set up a 180gallon 6x2x2 tank. It'll be a South American cichlid tank. So I'm searching for heaters best suitable for it. I'm looking into a eheim 300w. On their site it says rated for 600-1000L. Has anyone had experience with just using 1 of these in this size tank? Just worried only one side of the tank will be heated and don't really want to place it in the middle of the tank as it'll be quite the eyesore. Thanks in advance

I bought a 500W for my 90g. It was listed as a heater that can handle 80-120g. A 300W seems a bit low for a 180g. GL

 

[KeepsWaterAndSomeFish]

In my opinion it's never worth going with the minimum or scrimping when it comes to heaters, they are pretty temperamental when it comes to longevity and for me having a second one in place allows them to be active for less time improving the lifespan and reducing the chance of problems.

 

[Man-made Monsters]

I have always run two in my 180. Two reasons for this approach. First, its a back up in case one fails. Second, winter temps up here in the North East get brutally cold and I lower my heat at night to save money. Two heaters is always the way to go.