Why it's a good idea to use small heaters

[Synirr]

I've always been afraid to accomplish 5 watts per gallon of heating with just a single heater, and today I was reminded of why. I reached in my 80 gallon to remove a leaf my oscar had torn off a plant, and the water felt EXTREMELY warm. Too warm. Sure enough, the thermometer read 86 degrees... which is the highest that cheap thermometer goes, but it was definitely more in the range of 90. My heater had broken and wasn't cutting off. Thank GOD it was about 3.75 watts per gallon instead of 5, or my midas hybrid and oscar would have been cooked!!!

Let this be a warning to all of you.... instead of one big heater, use two smaller ones. That way if something goes wrong, all you have to worry about it getting a new heater rather than new fish.

 

[Joel]

What a relief I would have freaked! thanks for the warning

 

[wuvmybetta]

Good thing you didn't get shocked!! My midas has cracked a couple of heaters in his time. Even with the cage on them. Now I use an awesome plastic/shatterproof heater in his tank.

 

[plecoguy]

i have always used the 3 watts per gallon rule...much more than that is overkill

 

[LifeBear]

I can vouch for the advice. A few years ago while we were away on Christmas vacation our heater freaked and we came home to turtle soup. Even the feeder fish were...not...anymore.

The best advice I have ever heard on this issue was to accomplish the wattage with 2 small heaters, so that if one goes boing, things don't get too hot.

 

[Torrean]

2 heaters would also heat more eavenly wouldn't they?

 

[rdd1952]

I am using 2 inline heaters with my canister filters on my 75 gallon tank. I think any tank 3' in length should have double filters and heaters to accomplish more even filtration and temperature control. This is obvoiusly another reason 2 heaters are better than one. Also, if one happens to fail to the other extreme (stop heating all together) you still have some heat going into the water.

 

[platyfreek]

wow thanks for the advice -buys 2 small heaters-