heater in a smaller tank?

[Saves]

what if i have a heater thats rated for 55-80 gallons but i use it for a 30 gallon? what will happen?

 

[Redearsunfish]

I suppose it simply wouldn't have to work as hard. I guess the drawback is the actual size of the unit, i.e. fitting inside a smaller aquarium. If this is not an issue, I don't see a problem - BUT this is JUST my opinion, and I can't speak to the specifics of any particular situation, therefore each individual needs to make their own determination.

 

[eatingleg4peanut]

If your worry is overheating, dont worry. I used a 55gallon heater in a 10gallon for like 6 months before giving it my nephew for his 15 gallon. Water was always fine.

 

[Saves]

If your worry is overheating, dont worry. I used a 55gallon heater in a 10gallon for like 6 months before giving it my nephew for his 15 gallon. Water was always fine.

ya thats what i was worried about, haha.. thanks for the help

 

[luvinbluegills]

Nothing should happen, but if the heater were to go haywire (stick in the on position or something) it would cook the fishies pretty quickly.

 

[Jon M]

The heaters are designed to click off once the water temp has reached what it's supposed to. It would just have to work less to heat the water. Nothing to worry about. I have a 200W in my 10g planted.

 

[Saves]

thanks for all the info guys =). Helped alot.. I was trippin wondering why the light went off. Thought it broke or something

 

[MyGiants]

I got a 150w in a 6g tank

 

[smitty03281964]

Nothing will happen it will just cycle on and off less.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Nothing will happen it will just cycle on and off less.

I beg to differ. You should see more on & offs in a small tank. A small tank would hold a smaller volume of water. Hence water parameters like temperature can swing rapidly.

So imagine a heater rated for a larger tank heats the tank up to lets say 80. It would heat it up in a short amount of time as compared to a smaller size heater, and turn off. But after awhile, the temperature would fall and the heater would have to start up again.