Heaters...

[corrosive]

Right, i know my 20 gallon tank is suposed to have a 150watt heater... but will it be alright to run a 50 watt heater at least for alittle while? Reason im asking is because ive got a brand new one free, as i have a new filter which ive posted in another topic asking for information etc, sorry i havnt created 1 topic with both questions in but i forgot about the heater ) .

 

[canarsie11]

It should be fine now, because it is summer so your heater will not work as hard, but as autumn comes get the appropiate wattage heater for that tank.. However, depends where you live, cause I am in Virginia, does not really get cold to around end of Oct, Nov. So you make the call

 

[The-Wolf]

Why would you need a 150w for a 20 gal?
both my 13 gal and 17.5 gal run with 50w
and I have had no problems at all.

IMHO 150w for 20 gal is way too much.

 

[corrosive]

Why would you need a 150w for a 20 gal?
both my 13 gal and 17.5 gal run with 50w
and I have had no problems at all.

IMHO 150w for 20 gal is way too much.

Ok, well its just when i go to shops, and go on websites they say 70-90L = 150watt heater

 

[The-Wolf]

Try this calculator Boonedocks They will tell you how much wattage you need for your tank given that ambiant room temperature.

Of course shops and heater makers will say more,
it makes you buy the more expensive heater.
Less money for you more for them.

 

[Cat]

I just tried that link,what do you put for wall thickness?

 

[The-Wolf]

I just tried that link,what do you put for wall thickness?

0.25 as that is approx 6mm in inches


EDIT
the actual conversion is 0.2362204724409449 but that is being pedantic

 

[corrosive]

Try this calculator Boonedocks They will tell you how much wattage you need for your tank given that ambiant room temperature.

Of course shops and heater makers will say more,
it makes you buy the more expensive heater.
Less money for you more for them.

Well yes thats probably true but usually 100watts - 300watts are the same price .

Thanks anyways, and i will give the 50watt a chance and see how it goes...

Cat -
For wall thinkness my 20 gallon tank is: roughly 5mm thick.

 

[Cat]

Thank you both of you

 

[corrosive]

I did a test, using probably the worst case senario:

Room Air Temperature....................50.00 °F
Water Temperature.......................60.00 °F
Heating Capability Required.............54.64 W

As if my room gets that cold!

But i thought if i do it for the worst case, then i know how many watts i need.

looks like 50watts is fine. Thanks!