Heater
- Thread starter Donmedina
- Start date
A 300 watt will heat a 220 just fine. I don't know where they come up with their ratings. I heated a 180 with one and know it will heat a 220. If you don't feel like it will, put 2 on it.
I always like to use 2 undersized heaters on tanks.
The most common malfunction (other than simply stopping) is to get stuck in the on position, and cook the tank.
With 2 heaters, if undersized, hopefully the other functional one will shut down, and even constantly on, the bad heater can't overheat the tank before its malfunction is noticed.
I had a Hydor 300 get stuck and contort a PVC pipe into a bend, the temp in a 300 gal system reached into the 90s when I noticed.
Not to single out Hydor, I've had many other brands of heaters get stuck over the years.
Unless you use a heater controller, 2 undersize ones provides some insurance.
The most common malfunction (other than simply stopping) is to get stuck in the on position, and cook the tank.
With 2 heaters, if undersized, hopefully the other functional one will shut down, and even constantly on, the bad heater can't overheat the tank before its malfunction is noticed.
I had a Hydor 300 get stuck and contort a PVC pipe into a bend, the temp in a 300 gal system reached into the 90s when I noticed.
Not to single out Hydor, I've had many other brands of heaters get stuck over the years.
Unless you use a heater controller, 2 undersize ones provides some insurance.
+1
I recommend:
2 of these http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-heaters/250-watt-jager-submersible-heater.html
and this http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-heaters/finnex-hc-0800-heater-controller.html
If your tank is in a cold area. I would up it to 3 heaters
The rating is based on how many degrees you want to raise from room temperature. If the tank is in a cold basement, you need higher wattage, but if it is in living area at comfortable room temperature, you need a lower wattage to raise a few degrees. When it comes to selecting heaters, bigger is not better as an over sized heater can cook the fish and it happened far too often.