Best Heater Size For A 10g Tank

[ey2006]

Hi,

I recently got a 10g tank and have set it up as a quarantine tank and have also added plants. I forgot to get a heater for it and am currently using a 200w one.

Would it be energy efficient (in terms of power consumption) to use a 200w heater for the 10g tank or a 50w?

Obviously the 200w heater would use more power, but as its stronger, would it also mean that it wont be "on" as long as a 50w? A 50w heater uses less power but would be "on" more often during the day. By "on" I mean the heater light turning on, I've noticed during hot days that the water in the tank is warm enough by itself so the heater light isn't on during the day.

The temp in the tank is 26oC. Which heater would be most suitable for the tank? Would the 200w be more energy efficient or should I get a 50w instead?

Thanks.

 

[Boxa]

I don't know with regards to more efficient in the sense of being on constantly, but you only really need a 50w as it works out something like 1litre = 1w and surely the smaller the heater in the tank the more space you have? I know that my 200w heater wouldn't fit in my 10G tank from bottom to top but the 50w one does, plus with your lighting being which it should be on anyway because the fish need the light and not enough light can have a bad effect with algae, but anyway with the light being on it should heat the water that little bit enough for you to turn the heater off during warmer parts of the day, not that there will be many of those heading in to winter that is. Going back to the heater thing though surely they would be on the same amount of times as they are only heating it to a set level, I know the bigger the tank the more it holds the heat but does it work for the heater too then?

 

[skiltrip]

i'd say 200watts is way too much in there. if it ever got stuck on, whatever is in there would surely get cooked.

i have a 125watt heater in my 10g, but that tank happens to be in a pretty chilly basement, so i need the larger heater to keep the temp stable.

if your 10g is in a normal room with stable temps i'd say a 75watt would be a good bet.