how much heater is needed for a 72g cichlid tank?
- Thread starter tommy_zito
- Start date
Here is a link to a large variety of heaters: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/fish-supplies/aquarium-heater/ps/c/3578/3743 I personally use the Marineland stealth Pro heaters in all of my tanks: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+21323&pcatid=21323
For 72 gallons, I would use a 300 watt heater. I use Hydor Theo heaters. They are inexpensive and have worked well for me.
Many heater manufacturers recommend 4-5 watts per gallon. I find this way too much. I have 3 X 75 gal and 1 X 90 gal in my basement with an ambient temperature of about 72F. I keep the tanks around 80F. Two 75 gal have 200W, the 90 gal a 250W, and one 75 is running on a 100W! The 100W has no problem keeping this tank up to temperature (and its only on about 40% of the time).
Burt
Burt
Alot will depend on your filtration and lighting. I have four filters on my 90 and only have a heater set up just in case. If I cover my tank, just the filters can keep my tank at about 82. I actually removed the covers and seitched to T5's to bring the temp down another 5 degrees. 200 watt should be fine for you but a 300 will give you p.o.m
I have a hydor, a Rena and an aqueon. The Rena is the most reliable of the 3 and it connects to your input tube to allow for better heat circulation. My hydor gives me fits( runs way hot) and the aqueon is just there for insurance on the 90 so I really don't know how well it works. Rena has a light that let's you know + or - 5 degrees and it let's you know when it's working. Hydor is glass but the Rena and aqueon are shatterproof
I have a hydor, a Rena and an aqueon. The Rena is the most reliable of the 3 and it connects to your input tube to allow for better heat circulation. My hydor gives me fits( runs way hot) and the aqueon is just there for insurance on the 90 so I really don't know how well it works. Rena has a light that let's you know + or - 5 degrees and it let's you know when it's working. Hydor is glass but the Rena and aqueon are shatterproof
On my big tanks I do not follow the 4 watt/gallon rule, but I think a 200 will need to work pretty hard to get a 75 or 72 warm. A lot of it depends on room temperature and the lights. If your run lights all day, they will warm your water.
Addikted2Cichlids;4741472; said:
Well thats what i ended up getting. i got a marineland stealth pro 250w. tanks for the advice man.
Brian_Indiana;4741625; said:
Thats what i had in the tank, however it wouldn't shut off, had my tank up to like 88F both times i tried to use it. right now im keeping the tank at 84.5-85F to breed my bacteria,
Brian_Indiana;4742203; said:
Yes i run my lights pretty much all the time but they are staggered.
Just got the new light btw, check it out! hhaha
I always try and use 2 heaters so if one gets stuck on it is less powerful and won't cook your fish before you notice
I would go with 300 watts for a 75
I would go with 300 watts for a 75