Which Heater

[Twinklecaz]

I'm buying a new heater because I'm not happy with the one that came with my tank (has a range of about 4 degrees from where it's set) and I've had these ones recommended (thank you Truck) to me

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/jager-aquarium-heater-p-1285.html?osCsid=6f020ba182d9a7b3cab5a535c94aa3ac

My question is, as my tank is (not quite) 60L is this one (the 50W) ok? It says for up to 60L and I know for a filter it may be sensible to go for the next one up but is it the same with heaters? What's best?

Lol it seems to be like there should be a 75w one.

 

[mattlee]

it will be fine as long as the room the tank is in isnt too cold

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ah well that's the thing, you can't trust my room. Especially in winter. Will it do any harm to go for the next one up, will it over heat or something? I don't mind it's only £1 more lol!

 

[mattlee]

Ah well that's the thing, you can't trust my room. Especially in winter. Will it do any harm to go for the next one up, will it over heat or something? I don't mind it's only £1 more lol!

ive always been advised 1 watt per litre of water except for larger tanks where 2 heaters are better for heat dispersion and incase of a failure etc..
the only thing wrong really with getting a larger size is that if it breaks down and sticks on full power for some reason then it will fry your fish! ive never had this happen to me but with all electrical goods things can go wrong. also the higher wattage heater the bigger it gets and can become an unsightly thing in a small tank, but i guess it can be hidden with plants, wood etc etc.

if you do get the 50W then in winter you could always put a blanket over the tank at night to insulate it a bit more if your room does get very cold

 

[LilyRose Tank]

hi there as a rule its a watt per litre. so a 75 watt heater would cope with upto a 75 litre tank, i have slightly over my 90L and 64L both have 100w heaters, a 50w may not be big enough. i would go for the 75w heater if your room is extremely cold or even a 100w its your choice, but not less than a 60w ( which i dont think exist...not sure a 60w is made that is)

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks guys. I guess they must doa 75W just not on that website!

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Twinkle,

I would go with a 100w, just because one rule is 1w per liter and the other rule is 5watts per US gallon. That gives you either 60w or 80w and there are some times when its nice to have a little excess power to bring cold water up to temp more quickly, so a 100w would be just right.

In the old days we used to try to match quite closely and not go too high on wattage because we worried more about the bimetal strip thermostat getting stuck and leaving the heat running.. in which case the fish would cook. But, like other electronics, the heaters have been getting more reliable and almost nobody can remember an incident like that anymore, plus the heaters then weren't for submersion but the ones now are, meaning they are sealed tighter, meaning less chance of oxidation making the thermostat stick, in my opinion.

So going a tad higher on the wattage is less risk and you can take advantage of the quicker heating when needed, or the better ability if the house was left cold for some reason.

Of course if you find a really big difference in price and its a hardship then obviously a 75w might work out ok for you too, you just have to make a judgement call.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Tolak]

From my experiences with the Jager heaters, when they die they stop heating.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thank you both of you, as always you are a godsend