Heater question/ multiple heaters??

[Lynsey]

I have a 75 gallon long tank, which is only 16" tall. I have/had an Ebo-jager 250W heater in the tank. The problem is that it is about 18" long so I have to tilt it. It looks ugly, and I recently noticed my Oscar was attacking it. Today, I took it out and replaced it with two Ebo-jager 125W heaters. They are only like 12" so they fit nicely in the corner of the tank behind the powerhead. My thoughts were, that one it would be harder for the Oscar to get at them in the corner (I also put plastic heater guards on them), two if one heater malfunctions or dies it would be less of a problem/disaster as long as the other heater is functioning, and three, it looks much nicer when the heater is not going across the back of the tank.

Is there any problems with this?? The fish store guy said it would be fine, but they say lots of things that arn't true:)

[Anton Wernher]

Your idea is right on. Many members here (including myself) recommend two heaters for the reason you gave... If one goes out the other one can keep the temp up until the other is replaced. And by going with two smaller wattage heaters if one fails in the ON possition there is a better chance you can catch it before you fish get cooked.

[John_K]

Running two heaters will be ok. Many people with larger tanks run 2 heaters for more consistant temperature.

[a_free_bird73]

There is not really a problem other than you need to pay attention to the calibration difference between the two heaters other wise you will find that one works harder than the other and in a really bad case, one of them will not work at alll...

Once you make sure that both are set to the same temperature and actually do operate closely then it is not really a problem....

[Lynsey]

Thanks

They are the same exact heaters, and they are both set to 77 degrees. Oh, one more thing, I have the heaters next to each other, is that a problem? There is a powerhead right next to them, and there is a very high flow rate in my tank (since they are cichlids) so the temp should remain even throughout the tank.

[TheCichlidMan1]

I agree with everyone else about the two heaters being better than one. But right next to each would be fine except in a 70gal long was it? I find in my 55gal, that 2 heaters (one on each side of the tank) work MUCH better than one, because with one heater, its tough to keep a steady temp throughout the entire tank, but with two heaters, one on each side, its a breeze.

But to answer your question, the two heaters next to each should be fine if you care about looks more than consistent temperature, hehe, =). hope this helps.

P.S. - about the powerhead moving the heated water arond, that may work but im not quite sure. just wait and see what other people have to say about that.

[kveeti]

Originally posted by Lynsey
They are the same exact heaters, and they are both set to 77 degrees.

Just a note, that although you set them to the same temp, that may not be what they are running at. Factory calibration may not be exact. Just watch them for a while, make sure one isn't on significantly more than another, i.e. there is always a possibility that although the dial says 77, one is running higher or lower than that.

[fishfreek]

I have two 250W Ebo heaters in my 80 gal reef tank. I have mine in the sump side by side on the bottom and I notice that 1 heater is usually one more than the other. I suspect just as kveeti mentioned it has to do with how they are setup from the factory.

So far I have had no issues really as I have them set at 79 or 80 (I cant recall right now) and they keep my tank and sump at a consistant 82F day in and day out.

[Lynsey]

Thanks, I will keep an eye on the temp. and the heaters. When I first put them in they both turned on, and I believe that they both turned off at the same time. Well, pretty close to the same time. I walked downstairs and five minuntes later, I walked back up and they were both off. I will definatly keep watching them.