I have an extra 200 watt heater and a 20 gallon extra-high that I'm setting up. I know the 20g should only need a 100 watt heater but I was wondering if having a heater that was too strong would actually overheat the water. My logic is that it would simply heat the water faster than a weaker heater up to the temperature that you set it to. Is this correct? Will using the 200 watt be ok or is it better if I just buy a 100 watt heater?
Heater too strong?
- Thread starter Valyrian
- Start date
I dont have central heat in my house I heat with woodstoves so it can get cold in here when everyone is at work,so all my heaters are all too big and I dont have any overheating problems,as a matter of fact I have 2 20g tanks with 200w heaters now
Howdy,
I agree that under normal function it does no harm, since it is automatically turned off.
However, a wise rule if that you should not go too high with your wattage. In case of a regulator malfunction, a strong heater will heat up your water to the point of fish death. Whereas a low wattage heater will not reach high temperatures, and the process of heating up will take longer. You are more likely to be able to save your fish.
Again: On a daily basis, it doesn't matter. If you want to be cautionous, then get a smaller heater. Those few bucks will pay off in case of an accident. Look at it as an insurance... you hope to never need it, but you're glad to have it when bad luck strikes.
HarleyK
I agree that under normal function it does no harm, since it is automatically turned off.
However, a wise rule if that you should not go too high with your wattage. In case of a regulator malfunction, a strong heater will heat up your water to the point of fish death. Whereas a low wattage heater will not reach high temperatures, and the process of heating up will take longer. You are more likely to be able to save your fish.
Again: On a daily basis, it doesn't matter. If you want to be cautionous, then get a smaller heater. Those few bucks will pay off in case of an accident. Look at it as an insurance... you hope to never need it, but you're glad to have it when bad luck strikes.
HarleyK
I can't remeber off the top of my head what wattage I have but I know the two heaters I have in my tank are more powerful than I need, thinking what you are with heating up faster and they won't have to work as hard. I have both the dials set at 72 but my temp is at 80 doesn't seem to matter how low I try to set them my temp stays at 80.