Heater has not enough capacity - Aquarium Advice

Tiffi · 10-27-2005, 05:25 PM

My aquarium stays at about 78F although I have it set already on 82F. Ok, I got a 70 [acronym:ff176a6fb5="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ff176a6fb5] with a 250W heater. After that 5wpg rule for heater I need about 100W more.

So how do you guys do that? I havent seen a 350W heater so far. Can I just add another 100W heater and it'll be fine? Sorry

, never had such a "big" aquarium

.

Jchillin · 10-27-2005, 05:43 PM

I have two 300 watt heaters running on my 75 [acronym:ad1b23c6fd="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ad1b23c6fd]. I would suggest doing the same. It helps balance the entire water column and doesn't put a strain on one.

sudz · 10-27-2005, 05:48 PM

Also, when using 2 heaters, get the tank to the temperature desired, then turn both the heaters up so the pilot lights go on. THen slow turn each of them down until the light goes off. That way both heaters will be set at the same temperature, and you don't have one working away to raise the tank that 1 or 2 degrees, and the otherone only kicking in when the first has been working away and failing at raising the temperature.

I want a 75 gallon now. And i haven't even gotten my 44 yet

Tiffi · 10-27-2005, 05:57 PM

@Jchillin: WOW, two 300W

? I guess I really need to get another heater!

@sudz: Thanx for the tip, sounds like a great idea

!

DeFeKt · 10-27-2005, 10:10 PM

I disagree. 250w should be plenty.
[acronym:b2a92f43f6="In My Experience"]ime[/acronym:b2a92f43f6] a 300w is plenty for even a 120gallon.
have it near your filter "out" flow and it'll get to the entire tank pretty quickly.
just my thoughts anyway...

Matt.

**Fishyfanatic** · 10-27-2005, 10:40 PM

The general guideline is 5 [acronym:8262c033af="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:8262c033af]. I would use two heaters of the same (or close to) watts. As mentioned by sudz, the one heater won't be working so hard. We have three 250 Watt heaters on our 150 [acronym:8262c033af="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8262c033af] tank.

10-27-2005, 11:39 PM

WOW, First time I heard the 5WPG rule for heaters, Is this true I only have two 200 watt heaters in the sump on my 210. Keeps it about 78'F now that the temp is dropping into the mid fourties at night. Um, who sells a 1000 watt heater?

Jchillin · 10-27-2005, 11:41 PM

The idea behind having two is not only for balance, but in the event one decides to fizz out on you, you won't lose your temp setting.

Jchillin · 10-27-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonheadmech

WOW, First time I heard the 5WPG rule for heaters, Is this true I only have two 200 watt heaters in the sump on my 210. Keeps it about 78'F now that the temp is dropping into the mid fourties at night. Um, who sells a 1000 watt heater?

What size is your sump? Your heaters are probably enough for it. One of the other reasons for the sump and heating at that location is you have a constant flow, thereby maintaining the temp in the tank.

10-28-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

What size is your sump?

JC its a 30 [acronym:3e3005a78c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:3e3005a78c] turned into wetdry/sump. Its got a pump chamber, chemical chamber, and the other half is the bio filter with the mechanical filter mat. Take a peek picture in gallery.

10-27-2005, 05:25 PM	#1
Tiffi Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: first ST-Germany, now TN-USA Posts: 1,052 Images: 19	Heater has not enough capacity My aquarium stays at about 78F although I have it set already on 82F. Ok, I got a 70 [acronym:ff176a6fb5="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ff176a6fb5] with a 250W heater. After that 5wpg rule for heater I need about 100W more. So how do you guys do that? I havent seen a 350W heater so far. Can I just add another 100W heater and it'll be fine? Sorry , never had such a "big" aquarium . __________________ Some time ago in Germany: 2x 15gal tank, 45gal heavily planted Now: 70gal FW, 130W CF, driftwood, black gravel/laterite/flourish tabs/pool filter sand, pressurised CO2, power reactor, 200W = 250W heater, Fluval 304, Eheim prefilter; pH 7, kH 5, gH 9, CO2 ~20mg/l Plants: Cryptocoryne beckettii, wendtii "red", Giant Vals, Nymphaea lotus "zenkeri", Anubias nana "petite", Echinodorus "ozelot", Dwarf Sag, Hygrophila polysperma, Rotala rotundifolia, Limnophila sessiliflora Fishes: 2 Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, Endlers, 4 Otocinclus vittatus, 1pair Pelvicachromis pulcher, 5 Corydoras panda

10-27-2005, 05:43 PM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	I have two 300 watt heaters running on my 75 [acronym:ad1b23c6fd="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ad1b23c6fd]. I would suggest doing the same. It helps balance the entire water column and doesn't put a strain on one. __________________ _________________________________

10-27-2005, 05:48 PM	#3
sudz Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 762 Images: 27	Also, when using 2 heaters, get the tank to the temperature desired, then turn both the heaters up so the pilot lights go on. THen slow turn each of them down until the light goes off. That way both heaters will be set at the same temperature, and you don't have one working away to raise the tank that 1 or 2 degrees, and the otherone only kicking in when the first has been working away and failing at raising the temperature. I want a 75 gallon now. And i haven't even gotten my 44 yet __________________ Sudz "Mommy... That fish looks funny swimming upside down!" [size=2] 44 Gal, 2.2WPG10 Cardinal Tetra's 2 Clown Loach, 4 Black Phantom Tetra's, 1 Millenium Rainbow, 4 Congo Tetra's, 1 Simease Algae Eater, 2 Mollies

10-27-2005, 05:57 PM	#4
Tiffi Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: first ST-Germany, now TN-USA Posts: 1,052 Images: 19	@Jchillin: WOW, two 300W ? I guess I really need to get another heater! @sudz: Thanx for the tip, sounds like a great idea ! __________________ Some time ago in Germany: 2x 15gal tank, 45gal heavily planted Now: 70gal FW, 130W CF, driftwood, black gravel/laterite/flourish tabs/pool filter sand, pressurised CO2, power reactor, 200W = 250W heater, Fluval 304, Eheim prefilter; pH 7, kH 5, gH 9, CO2 ~20mg/l Plants: Cryptocoryne beckettii, wendtii "red", Giant Vals, Nymphaea lotus "zenkeri", Anubias nana "petite", Echinodorus "ozelot", Dwarf Sag, Hygrophila polysperma, Rotala rotundifolia, Limnophila sessiliflora Fishes: 2 Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, Endlers, 4 Otocinclus vittatus, 1pair Pelvicachromis pulcher, 5 Corydoras panda

10-27-2005, 10:10 PM	#5
DeFeKt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth australia Posts: 1,435 Images: 18	I disagree. 250w should be plenty. [acronym:b2a92f43f6="In My Experience"]ime[/acronym:b2a92f43f6] a 300w is plenty for even a 120gallon. have it near your filter "out" flow and it'll get to the entire tank pretty quickly. just my thoughts anyway... Matt. __________________ Dimidiochromis compressiceps, Astatotilapia latifasciata Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Labidochromis caeruleus Cynotilapia afra 'Cobue' Pseudotropheus acei 'Msuli Point' Aulunocara stuartgranti 'chipoka' Labidochromis freibergi Oreochromis mossambicus Etroplus suratensis

10-27-2005, 10:40 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	The general guideline is 5 [acronym:8262c033af="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:8262c033af]. I would use two heaters of the same (or close to) watts. As mentioned by sudz, the one heater won't be working so hard. We have three 250 Watt heaters on our 150 [acronym:8262c033af="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8262c033af] tank. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

10-27-2005, 11:39 PM	#7
Guest Posts: n/a	WOW, First time I heard the 5WPG rule for heaters, Is this true I only have two 200 watt heaters in the sump on my 210. Keeps it about 78'F now that the temp is dropping into the mid fourties at night. Um, who sells a 1000 watt heater?

10-27-2005, 11:41 PM	#8
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	The idea behind having two is not only for balance, but in the event one decides to fizz out on you, you won't lose your temp setting. __________________ _________________________________

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