Heater ratings

[gpaaib]

Hi,

At the suggestion of a local dealer I bought a 250w Marineland Stealth Heater for my tank.

I questioned him since I have a 90g acrylic and the 250w heater is rated for 75g tanks.

I've had the heater on since last night but other than the immediate area, the tank isn't heating. I have a glass floating type thermometer on the opposite side of the tank and it's coming nowhere near the 80°f I have the heater set on.

Is it about placement? Do I need a higher watt heater?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Gary

[BoredAgain]

I would just buy another one, you really need two for anything over 40 gal in my opinion.

[irishspy]

:iagree:

Two heaters will also give you redundancy in case one fails. :idea:

[Cory Keeper]

not to mention more uniform heat through the tank.

[J double R]

and whoever told you that 250w was good for 90g is wrong anyway. I use 350 for my 75, and i consider that the bare minimum.

[gpaaib]

and whoever told you that 250w was good for 90g is wrong anyway. I use 350 for my 75, and i consider that the bare minimum.

What brand do you use?

[Bk718]

I agree 250 is not enough for a 90g, and will take forever to heat up the tank..

[Draal5]

Yea who ever that was don't :headshake2: ask them any other questions other wise you might end up with piranhas with guppies in a 10g:eek3: that will live happily ever after

on a side note at least he sold you the best heater.:headbang2:

rule of thumb is 5 watts per gallon larger tanks require 2 so divide in half and round up

I have 2 300w inline heaters on my 90 keeps it nice and toasty 85.5 for my discus

[J double R]

i don't remember the brand. i got it from Ken's Fish.

[Rbishop]

What temp do you keep the room?

Do you use an open top or have a glass lid?

I use 2 250s or 300s on all my 90s.

[Mgamer20o0]

make sure its in a high flow area.

[Punnet]

Yea who ever that was don't :headshake2: ask them any other questions other wise you might end up with piranhas with guppies in a 10g:eek3: that will live happily ever after

on a side note at least he sold you the best heater.:headbang2:

rule of thumb is 5 watts per gallon larger tanks require 2 so divide in half and round up

I have 2 300w inline heaters on my 90 keeps it nice and toasty 85.5 for my discus

Darn good advice IMHO. always use two heaters with about 20% extra total capacity. If one fails (and they usually fail staying on continuously) then you are less likely to cook the fish. It can be a challenge setting them up tho....

I find the best method is to use a 5 gallon pail full of water, an airstone and a mercury thermometer. Set one up to the temperature you want by raising it slowly to the desired temperature. Allow at least twelve hours to stabalize the temeperature in the pail.

Let the water to cool at least 5 degrees before setting the second one up to the same temp. This will ensure that each heater runs on the same duty cycle (not necessarily at the same time) and keeps the tank at an even temperature.

If you notice at a later date that one heater remains on constantly, chances are that it has failed closed, or the other one has failed open. One heater by itself using this strategy is unlikely to cook your fish if stays on all the time.

[Cory Keeper]

hmmm, good advice there, I'll use that for my future 40g tank.