Heaters - how many watts per gallon?

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Shannono

Aquarium Advice Regular
Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Messages
68
Location
Atlanta, GA
OK, I've got a 90 gallon tank, and I've read I should get a heater that supports 3-5 watts/gallon. Is this overkill? My LFS sold me a 200W heater (Visi Therm Stealth), but I'm thinking I may need a 300W. Any opinions?
 
I had a 200W in my 55-gallon for a while. The problem was, the temp varied alot, it got a lot warmer during the day then at night. This one did not have a thermostat built in it.

So, I purchased another 200W with a thermostat. I had the first heater at 3/4 power which kept the water at 70-degrees at night, which we keep it pretty cool in the house. I added the other 200W with the thermostat set at 80-degrees.

For the past 6 days, my tank temps have not fluctuated in the least, a steady 81-degrees day and night.

The nice thing is, if one happens to go out, the temp won't drop below 70. Now I just cross my fingers that the thermostat doesn't get stuck open.
 
I have two 250watt Heaters in my 75. Im sure it is overkill, but my temp never goes below 77.
 
I would say keep the visi therm (the stealths are my favorite :D ) and just pick up one more heater. That way if one goes out, you have backup.
 
I reccomend Ebo Jager's. Thats what Ive used forever. Big als online has them all the way up to 300 watts for about 20 bucks.
 
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