Consequences Of Too Powerful Heater?

[voo]

I've just got a 6 gallon tank and the smallest heater the shop had was a 50W. (Except for this small heater that has no temperature control).

What will be the consequences of this? Will it still be ok in the tank, or should i look at getting a 25W heater when i go to a different shop tomorrow?



Thanks!

 

[demonmagus]

I don't think there is a consequence, as it just means it heats the water faster.

Wait for another opinion though

 

[Arfie]

Whilst ever the thermostat works, it's fine I had a 50w in my 2.5 gallon and it was fine, but I did change to a 25w.

If the thermostat breaks though it will heat the water up much quicker and to a higher temp than a smaller one would if it breaks resulting in dead fish.

Arfie

 

[voo]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I think i'll leave it and replace it in a few months rather than buy another new one so quick if it's not going to be a problem

 

[sussexgirl]

I've just got a 6 gallon tank and the smallest heater the shop had was a 50W. (Except for this small heater that has no temperature control).

What will be the consequences of this? Will it still be ok in the tank, or should i look at getting a 25W heater when i go to a different shop tomorrow?



Thanks!

I've got a 25W in my 5 gallon. My LFS told me not to get anything higher than that.

 

[PaulEbs]

i used to have a 300 watt in a 10 gallon [temporarily] and it was fine.

Paul.

 

[vancouver]

Thermostats breaking is baaad.. I had a 200W in my 33g and the temp skyrocketed in 24 hours and almost fried all my fish.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thermostats breaking is baaad.. I had a 200W in my 33g and the temp skyrocketed in 24 hours and almost fried all my fish.

What temp did you set it at? A good heater will only keep the tank warm at the temp you set it at, if the tank goes hotter than the heaters set temp, the heater will stop heating the tank until the temp goes back down.

 

[corrosive]

I have 50 Watt in my 6 Gallon, havnt experienced any problems yet... I have a 100 Watt in a 37 gallon. It took a while to get to full temperature in the big tank, but once it heated to full temperature its quick at heating up the tank if i do water changes etc.