What Size Heater Is Best?

[madmom]

I upgraded to a 20 ghallon this summer and I am wondering which size heater to get. Temperatures here can fluctuate from 20 degrees one day to almost 60 the next in the winter. I'm not sure what size would be best.

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. Well the rule of thumb for a heater is 3 or 4 watts per gallon of water. So for a 20 gallon tank you're looking at 60 or 80 watts. On my 55 i have a heater that is a little stronger than it needs to be just for the cold winter nights. The difference in cost of a 75 watt heater and a 100 watt heater would probably only be a couple of dollars, so if i had a 20 gallon tank i would put a 100 watt heater on it. Just get something more than 50 watts and it should be ok.

 

[madmom]

Thanks for the info. The wpg for heaters is definately going to come in handy!

 

[Bloo]

This is a handy table

 

[skiltrip]

I once had a 50watt Jager heater in my 10gallon. it was in the basement, where it can get a little chilly, and the heater broke. nobody died, but dang that water was cold when i found it. after that i moved my fish and broke down the tank out of frustration.

i recently set the tank back up but this time i have a 125watt Jager in there. don't wanna risk overworking my heater again. so far it's been keep it deadlocked at 80F. we'll see what happens when it starts getting colder!

 

[madmom]

Thanks Bloo; that will come in handy.