Heater Size Confusion

[mattybee]

Hello

I have picked up my new tank - 202 Litres, and I need to get a heater. But, one website is saying i will need 2x 200w !!!! Is this actually correct? A few years ago I had a 3ft tank (approx same capacity) and it came with a 100w heater and seemed to do the job. Now I am confused.

Your assiatance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[joyboy]

One 300 W Heater should be more than enough. I have one in my 4 foot and it does it's job perfectly and my temperature never fluctuates.
200 W may work as well but i think you should buy a 300 watt just to be on the safe side.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I've heard it mentioned on here somewhere that 1w per litre is the rule for heaters, so yeah, I would go for a 300w to make sure you're covered!

I run a 300w on my 180L

 

[KittyKat]

I have picked up my new tank - 202 Litres, and I need to get a heater. But, one website is saying i will need 2x 200w !!!! Is this actually correct? A few years ago I had a 3ft tank (approx same capacity) and it came with a 100w heater and seemed to do the job. Now I am confused.

Yes, no and maybe

Assuming that no sumps are involved:
- for tanks that are 3l*1w*2t ft or smaller, one heater is enough
- for tanks that are between 3*1*2 and 3*2*2 ft in size, you may need two heaters
- for tanks that are 4 ft or longer, 2 heaters is a must for even temperatures throughout the tank

In terms of total watts per tank, 1 watt per litre is right for the average house that is heated in winter.

For example, for a 120*40*40 cm tank (190 litres), I would want 2* 100 W heaters, one at each end of the tank. On the other hand, for a 90*45*50 cm tank, 1* 200 W heater should be enough.

I would not have 2* 200 W heaters for a 120*40*40 tank because heaters tend to break in the "on" position (so they keep heating the water uncontrollably and eventually boil the fish alive) and with a 100 W heater I would have twice as long to figure out that something is wrong compared to a 200 W heater (in the same volume of water).

If your tank actually holds 204 litres of water after taking off decorations and some at the top of the tank, then I would go for a 100 W and a 150 W heaters, one at each end of the tank. If it holds 204 litres pre-decoration and filled to the rim, I would go for 2* 100 W heaters.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Or, get an inline heater that just pumps warm water throughout your tank

You've got to have an external filter for these though.

 

[mattybee]

If your tank actually holds 204 litres of water after taking off decorations and some at the top of the tank, then I would go for a 100 W and a 150 W heaters, one at each end of the tank. If it holds 204 litres pre-decoration and filled to the rim, I would go for 2* 100 W heaters.

The Calculator says 202 that will be before substrate, rocks and plants - so you think a 100 AND 150w?

Or, get an inline heater that just pumps warm water throughout your tank

You've got to have an external filter for these though.

Aren't these really expensive

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Naa I got mine used on ebay for around £25 if I remember correctly, I don't think they are much more new!

Looks like £36.48 posted from Surrey Pets...
http/www.google.co...iw=1680&bih=845

 

[KittyKat]

The Calculator says 202 that will be before substrate, rocks and plants - so you think a 100 AND 150w?

The décor will reduce the total water volume, so if it's 202 litres pre-décor, then 2* 100 W heaters will be enough.

 

[mattybee]

Thank you very much for your help

 

[Aquamaniac]

How cold is your house on the winter?
I agree with everything said except if your house is on the cold side.
My last house was cold even with the heating on during the winter, and my 300w heater could not cope with the extreme cold.
Two heaters seems a better solution for me, better heat distribution, 2x200 watt heaters are more powerfull than 1x300w. And if one stops working for any reason the other will even if with some dificulty keep the tank stable for you to get a replacement.
Besides the extra power does not makes the tank more hot, as example one heater will take X time to heat the tank, 2 heaters will take half time,same power consumption just more efficient
Unless broken both of them will shut down the after reaching the preset temperature.

 

[gillicous]

also think about what temp you are going to be running at. Most heaters will keep a temperature of around 27 deg c
if like me you have discus at 30-33 deg c you will need to up the wattage i run 1x 300 watts and 1x 150 watts in my 4' tank to keep the temp constant through the tank with termometer at both ends to monitor

 

[PERCY]

Would one 300w inline heater be enough on a 5 x 1.5 x 2 ft; approx 450 litres

 

[dbanner]

Would one 300w inline heater be enough on a 5 x 1.5 x 2 ft; approx 450 litres

I was actually thinking the same for my rio 400 I want to replace the 2 300 watt internals with the 300 watt external

 

[Dazzler666]

Likewise, I'm considering an external. Don't suppose anyone has any more info on them?
Oh, don't mean to jump on back of the thread or anything ... Oops.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

One tip thats important to remember is to choose your external filter before getting the heater because the different sized heaters only fit certain sized filter pipes. Also make sure you choose a filter that has pipes that are suitable for an inline heater. I understand that there's one filter that has ribbed pipes that may not work with an inline heater (?)