I am wondering what type of heater I should get for a 40 gallon that has a 20 gallon as a wet/dry. I am thinking either a 150 or 200 watt heater and I am still wondering about the kind/brand. which one is the best???
what type heater?
- Thread starter born2lovefish
- Start date
Go for an eheim jager. A 100 W jager can heat that much without any problems. I have a 200W running my 135 without problems. Jagers are the best IMO.
100 watts for about 50 gallons of water? I thought the rule of thumb was like 3-5 watts a gallon? It's better to go a little bigger than under right?
i have been schooled that you need 3 watts per gallon to keep the water where you want . this formula is based on a indoor setting with a 20 degree f variable .for example if you want your tank to be 80 and your house is 60 3 watts is fine if you go outdoors like a pond its more like 10watts depends where you live do the math.
From experience with most heaters that would be true. However with my 135 I have an eheim jager heater that is only a 200W. It is powerful enough to take my tank to 92°, and I can maintain a temp of 80° without fluctuation of more than a degree in either direction.
I am a long term user of the Rainbow (Pentair) lifegaurd external heater modules. You can use just about any brand of quality submersible heater with them. They keep the heater out of the tank as part of an in-line system. It works out well for big fish that can knock them arround in the tank. Since you have a wet/dry it would be easy to hook up.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Thanks. I think I am going to go with a 150 watt heater. I am planning to put the heater in the sump to keep it out of the tank.
I suggest splitting the difference between 2 smaller units. It distributes the heat more evenly in the tank or sump & it gives a cushion in case of failure. Heater failures are somewhat inevitable (quality lengthens the time). Having a failure in the on position w/ a smaller unit will possibly give you time to catch it before critical. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18534/si1382760/cl0/jagerheater100watthttp://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...aquariumpharmaceuticalsrenacaltoplight100watt
I've used both of these products w/ success. (different watts). The safety factor will always have me split the difference. The thought of my lil' buddies 'boiling' is a nitemare I choose not to live thru. Good Luck