Two Heaters Better Than One?

[Hollymolly4]

I've read before about having two heaters in larger tanks to help with the load on the heater, would you suggest I get a second one in my 55 gallon? Do they both need to be rated for 55 gallons or can I use a smaller one?

 

[backtotropical]

2 heaters is more efficient than 1. They dont both need to be rated for a 55g. So long as added together they are rated for 55g, thats fine.

 

[Hollymolly4]

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Mikaila31]

I have only one in my 55gal, it is rated for 75gal so I'm not terrible worried. It is always good to have a spare heater around in case one breaks, you can lose a lot of fish if you don't have a spare. I think it is when you get to 75gal or above that you should have two heaters, I'm not sure on that though. Also the multiple heaters have to be hooked up a special way, with some extra parts. If you simple put 2 heater in a tank, they most likely will read slightly different temperatures. Like on will read 78oF and the other will say 79oF. The one that reads lower will always be on and the other one will rarely ever turn on.

cheers,
Mikaila31

 

[Hollymolly4]

Thanks Mikaila, I think I'll try it for a little while, if for nothing more than just getting the bacteria off the other one!

 

[Tolak]

You do need a temperature controller to run two heaters properly; http/www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html

This is usually done on larger, or longer tanks. You can get them close by eyeballing the little red lights, provided they have them, but you will never get it exact. I eyeball them for larger tanks, if one dies I keep spares on hand. I don't, and wouldn't bother running two on a 55, but I would invest in a spare.