Heater

[bouncer36]

Hi I’m starting up a freshwater fish tank
I bought a heater that is a 300w. Is that too much for a 55 gallon tank?

 

[SaraB]

Is it adjustable or no?

 

[bouncer36]

. Yes. Here the heater setting

 

[bouncer36]

Sorry wrong pic

 

[SaraB]

Yeah should be fine. Just keep it at the temperature you want. Around 78 is best for most fish.

 

[bouncer36]

Just set at 78 then ok

 

[shacker66]

I would check the temperature with a temperature gauge just to make sure the water temp is 78. I have a 300 watt in a 55 gallon and it is never the same as the set temperature on the heater.
Food for thought

Just set at 78 then ok

 

[bouncer36]

Just set at 78 then ok

Ok I have thermometer to put in tank I’m going to put two of them in one on each side of tank to keep track of temperature

 

[Barliman]

I would check the temperature with a temperature gauge just to make sure the water temp is 78. I have a 300 watt in a 55 gallon and it is never the same as the set temperature on the heater.
Food for thought

This is good advice: you should always calibrate your heater. Also consider getting an external controller that can shut off your heater if it should get "stuck on."

 

[bouncer36]

How do you calibrate it

 

[Leeatl]

I would use 2 thermometers that read the same and set the heater to whatever temp you want according to the 2 thermometers no matter what the heater dial says . I also second using a controller . I use them on all my tanks . I DIYed mine but you can get them pre-made . Look at these .....https://inkbird.shop/collections/temperature-controller

 

[bouncer36]

Yea I was thinking about getting one of those. I have one on my gecko tank

 

[Barliman]

How do you calibrate it

Set the heater for the temp you want, then, when the "on" light goes off, check the temperature with an accurate device - I've used a thermopen and a handheld infrared thermometer. Both have worked fine. If there's a difference, you can adjust the heater dial to get the temp you want.

 

[bouncer36]

Thank you