How much heat?

[Danny-uk-carp.com]

I have a 30 X 15 X 15 tank (20 Gals / 100 litres)

I'm not to sure what heater to use, the tank came with a 200 watt heater, it's very long and seems a little powerful i also have 2 100 watt heaters in the cupboard and was wondering if 1 of those would be better, if not maybe the 2 100 watters would be better than the 200 watter. I also intend on putting a cork background in the tank so the heater will have to go on the side glass.

Any help would be great

 

[StiX]

1 x 100w is plenty for that tank

 

[Danny-uk-carp.com]

Cool where should i put it?

Looking into the tank i have my inlet (fluval 104) on the right side of the tank and the outlet on left what side should i put the heater?

 

[hollywoodH]

its all dependant on wheather the heater is submersible or not i mine about 1 inch from the bottem of the tank near the filter.

 

[Danny-uk-carp.com]

should i put the heater near the inlet or outlet. it's submersable! and pump is external

 

[hollywoodH]

mines by the inlet i just put mine across the bottem so that it is out of view but i still have water passing over it then i have a thermoniter at each end of the tank to make sure it is ok. BUT that could be the wrong way to do it, but ive not had anyproblems as yet..

 

[hollywoodH]

but my filter is internal

 

[StiX]

You should position the heater under the inlet so the water flows over it

 

[hollywoodH]

so ive not done it wrong then lol

 

[Danny-uk-carp.com]

Thanks sticklebackRkool :zorro:

 

[StiX]

so ive not done it wrong then lol

hehe, well infront of the outlet is the most optimal and efficiant place, but u could put it anywhere if u want

No probs Dan

 

[cryosi]

i did read that if your tank needed a 100watt to get a 150 watt for the tank as it was more effiecent at heating the tank! did that in the bigger tank i have. cant remember where i read it.

 

[cichlidmaster]

The standard rule of thumb is 5 watts per gallon of water!!

So in a 20 gallon (long) tank a 100 watt heater would be fine.

CM

 

[Danny-uk-carp.com]

I don't plan on adding any fish for a few months so i will test run the 100 watt.

 

[reef3]

50 watts per 10 gallons! thats the rule for me anyways, you should cycle your tank for about a month