How many watts ?
- Thread starter dolphinfan
- Start date
Most LFSs will tell you to 5Watts per gallon. But youd be good with two 200 or two 250 watt heaters. I have two 200 watt heaters in my 120 an it gets warm quick an stays between 75-80 with no trouble.
Ya set them both the same, one on each side of the tank. Youll see them on for awhile at first, but once the tank is at temp youll hardly ever see them on.
There are 2 reasons you want to run 2 heaters.
1. If one fails you still have the other heating the water and the fish won't suffer.
2. Its easier and cheaper in the long run if 2 are heating the water because they won't need to run as long.
1. If one fails you still have the other heating the water and the fish won't suffer.
2. Its easier and cheaper in the long run if 2 are heating the water because they won't need to run as long.
ShawnE94Sl said:
Welcome to MFK!!!
Looks like you didn't read the other posts. We've heard of countless occassions where a heater failure caused some serious fish losses. The general rule of thumb on all the boards is to use multiple heaters (still maintaining the 3 to 5watts/gal rule) for the reasons stated above.
With multiple heaters of lower wattage, a failed-to-open thermostat on one heater won't cause the tank to overheat as quickly. Same for a failed-to-close thermostat not heating and causing too quick a drop in temp.
Two 200watt heaters (400watts total) will regulate the temp more efficiently than one 300watt heater.
Try and put the heater where water is circulated to help spread the heat out I have 2 300w one each end this gives an even spread of heat over the whole tank. Set them the same temp and they should give you a nice even temperature across the whole tank. As a rule of thumb, the 5 watts per gallon of water is spot on. My fish room is in a out building so thats why I always have 2 heaters as they work harder than in a room in your house. Its amassing how many diseases are bought on through drops in temperature White spot is the most common so spend the money and get good quality heaters. 