I need to put in a new heater for my 20g and have a spare one that came from my 55g. It is a 200w heater. Is that too strong to put in a 20g? It is safe or will it overheat the water?
Heater Wattage For a 20 gallon?
- Thread starter Aluyasha
- Start date
Should not over heat the water as long as you adjust it good. Just watch the temp
Sent from Note 2 mini computer
Sent from Note 2 mini computer
The heater will heat to the temperature you set it at and then stop. it will not overheat the water. The only negative with using a bigger heater is that if the thermostat decides to stick or break, it could potentially fry your fish. it also depends on what the ambient temperature is in the room compared to what temperature you're keeping the tank at. I.E- if the tank is kept at 80 degrees, and the room stays around 70, a 200 watt heater would be fine. If the tank water is 80 and the room temp is 80, then you can just use a 100w heater just in case.
If you are putting expensive or valued fish in there, you might want to re-consider. For my son, for example, when he was really young, I didn't want his fish to maybe get fried. I've never had one fail, but people do see it from time to time.
Thermostats are usually reliable, but defects happen.
Thermostats are usually reliable, but defects happen.