Heater For 55 Gallon

[Barracuda518]

I know these questions have been asked a lot, but I need an answer fast and dont have time to search. What is the best heater for a 55 gallon and what size? Ive also heard of some people using 2 heaters for a 55 gallon. Which is best? I know this should be in the hardware section, but I never get any answers there.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bryan1957]

I believe the correct formula is 3 watts per gallon. I have a 55 gallon tank and use one 200 watt heater next to my Emperor HOB. It is a 4 foot tank, I also use two 300 watt heaters in my 90 gallon tank. Either way seems to work fine, the 90 gallon is of course deeper and wider, that is the reason for two heaters. Water circulation should be a consideration in the size and number of heaters you choose, if there is plenty of circulation one heater should be fine. With two heaters you have the advantage of a backup heater should one heater fail.
I would say it is up to you.
Bryan

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. I had asked the same question 4 or 5 weeks ago. The rule is 3-4 watts per gallon. 4 times 55 is 220. Keep in mind that you won't have 55 gallons in a 55 gallon tank unless you want the tank filled right up to the very very top of the tank. I decided to go with a 300W for my 55g. I wanted it to be a bit overkill because it gets cold in my house at night during the winter. I decided against going with 2 150W heaters because it isn't cost efficient. The difference in price between a 300W heater and a 150W heater is only a few dollars. So i put the heater near the intake of my filter (Penguin 350) to help it circulate the water and everything has been fine so far. It keeps the water at a very constant temperature.

 

[Mr.September15]

Hi. I had asked the same question 4 or 5 weeks ago. The rule is 3-4 watts per gallon. 4 times 55 is 220. Keep in mind that you won't have 55 gallons in a 55 gallon tank unless you want the tank filled right up to the very very top of the tank. I decided to go with a 300W for my 55g. I wanted it to be a bit overkill because it gets cold in my house at night during the winter. I decided against going with 2 150W heaters because it isn't cost efficient. The difference in price between a 300W heater and a 150W heater is only a few dollars. So i put the heater near the intake of my filter (Penguin 350) to help it circulate the water and everything has been fine so far. It keeps the water at a very constant temperature.

It woudlnt make sense for the rule to be 4 watts per gallon...Because I have a 3 gallon and 12watts of heat isnt very safe to use for such a small tank...

 

[nino]

Hi. I had asked the same question 4 or 5 weeks ago. The rule is 3-4 watts per gallon. 4 times 55 is 220. Keep in mind that you won't have 55 gallons in a 55 gallon tank unless you want the tank filled right up to the very very top of the tank. I decided to go with a 300W for my 55g. I wanted it to be a bit overkill because it gets cold in my house at night during the winter. I decided against going with 2 150W heaters because it isn't cost efficient. The difference in price between a 300W heater and a 150W heater is only a few dollars. So i put the heater near the intake of my filter (Penguin 350) to help it circulate the water and everything has been fine so far. It keeps the water at a very constant temperature.

It woudlnt make sense for the rule to be 4 watts per gallon...Because I have a 3 gallon and 12watts of heat isnt very safe to use for such a small tank...

A lot of people use 25W heaters on tanks 2.5 gallons and up. I have never had any trouble with it but of course it has to have an automatic shutoff feature so your fish don't fry.

 

[Ethos]

I have a 200 watt for my 55G, keeps the tank at a stable 79.

 

[Bre_B]

Hi. I had asked the same question 4 or 5 weeks ago. The rule is 3-4 watts per gallon. 4 times 55 is 220. Keep in mind that you won't have 55 gallons in a 55 gallon tank unless you want the tank filled right up to the very very top of the tank. I decided to go with a 300W for my 55g. I wanted it to be a bit overkill because it gets cold in my house at night during the winter. I decided against going with 2 150W heaters because it isn't cost efficient. The difference in price between a 300W heater and a 150W heater is only a few dollars. So i put the heater near the intake of my filter (Penguin 350) to help it circulate the water and everything has been fine so far. It keeps the water at a very constant temperature.

It woudlnt make sense for the rule to be 4 watts per gallon...Because I have a 3 gallon and 12watts of heat isnt very safe to use for such a small tank...

A lot of people use 25W heaters on tanks 2.5 gallons and up. I have never had any trouble with it but of course it has to have an automatic shutoff feature so your fish don't fry.

All rules are pretty general, and with a smaller tank it heats up quicker, id have to guess that changes it a bit. I have no experience with THAT small a tank, but I'd say that this is still the general rule, its based more towards larger tanks.



Edit: quoted the wrong post. Meant to quote the post by arrowhead.... oops.

 

[Bloo]

The rules are indeed very general. It also greatly depends on how warm the average room temperature is.
Cold room means heater will have to be on more often - which means more Watts should be used. As opposed to a very warm room where the heater might only have to be on very little to keep the temperature constant.