question about Heaters (what wattage to get)

[Stratoquarius]

hi guys, just wondering what heater would be sufficient for 224 gallon tank 5x2x3.
I was thinking of getting a heater capable of 112gallons and then just getting 2 of them, is this a good idea ?

 

[aclockworkorange]

How cold is the room you're keeping the tank in going to get?

 

[Stratoquarius]

I'ts a basement s usually cold, plus I'm in Calgary and winters coming up

 

[aclockworkorange]

How cold exactly? And how warm will you be keeping the tank?

 

[Stratoquarius]

I really don't know, even in the summer its cold down there, and I just want the tank at the usual temperature range, between 24-27 celsius

 

[lipadj46]

you could try 2 jager 300 watts or go overkill and get a 1000watt titanium with controller

 

[seedubs1]

I like to do 3XGallonage. So for a 224 that's 672 watts. I'd personally just bump it up a little if the place is going to be cold. 3X250W Eheim Jagers would do pretty well, and would be reasonably priced.

 

[Stratoquarius]

So if i got 250w x3 that would be more than good enough ? Thanks a lot for the input guys!

 

[lipadj46]

Sure, a 300 watt Jager in only $2 or $3 more than the 250w though

 

[aclockworkorange]

Everyone who's posted cannot give you any accurate advice unless they know how cold the room will get. A rule of thumb is 4 watts per gallon every 9 degrees below the temperature of the tank the room will get. If you want your tank at say 80 degrees F:

-500 watts if room stays around 75
-1000 watts if room stays around 70
-1500 watts if room stays around 65
-2000 watts if room stays around 60

That's a very basic guideline. Anything significantly less than those numbers and the heaters may be able to hold the tank at the temp you want, but they will be working harder, using more electricity, possibly decreasing the life of the heater, and you could also have problems if say the room drops in temp suddenly or something as it will take much longer to heat the tank up.

On my 225 I just bought a 1000 watt titanium, as my house is usually around 70 degrees.