overheating a tank?

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Weezer

Plastic Plant's Live Longer
Mar 2, 2007
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"Minnesota - It Gets Chilly Here"
what would happen if i used a 300w heater in a 20 gal or a ten gal? is the thermostat supposed to kick in and shut the heater off when it reaches the set temperature? thanks
Yes, but if it sticks on it will heat up a small tank very fast....:)
 

Mokomon

You can call me Sharon :)
Oct 16, 2008
1,722
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N.H.
I personally would never try it
 

The Zigman

Here fishy fishy fishy!!!
Oct 5, 2007
5,249
7
62
Near Chicago, Il.
www.uglymuggs.com
I have run a 250 watt heater in a 10 gal tank for about a year (its a stealth)
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149723
I also ran a 75 watt cheapie (Meier's brand) in a 2.5 gal QT tank.
my 37 gat tank, has a 250 watt heater.

Had no problems.
Just get the thermostat set right, and keep an eye on it till you are comfortable.

BTW if the thermostat gets stuck on any heater, in any tank, it will get too hot.
 

Star_Rider

AC Moderators
Dec 21, 2005
11,731
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Spanaway, Wa.
Real Name
Ed
I have run a 250 watt heater in a 10 gal tank for about a year (its a stealth)
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149723
I also ran a 75 watt cheapie (Meier's brand) in a 2.5 gal QT tank.
my 37 gat tank, has a 250 watt heater.

Had no problems.
Just get the thermostat set right, and keep an eye on it till you are comfortable.

BTW if the thermostat gets stuck on any heater, in any tank, it will get too hot.
:thm: the issue you may find with an oversized heater is a short cycle.

in essence the heater turns off and on often to balance the temp.

this my prematurely wear out the thermocouple or temp sensing device.
 

bluekrissyspike

bwa-hahahahaha!!!!!
Mar 24, 2007
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you should upgrade your tank so it is a more suitable size for the heater you have available. ;o)
 

wackydan

Fun, not crazy.
Nov 21, 2005
396
0
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Matthews, NC
you should upgrade your tank so it is a more suitable size for the heater you have available. ;o)
Ah yes... Yet another excuse for tank upgrades! "But Honey, my heater collection has grown too big and I need a larger tank to house them all properly".
 

robbob2112

AC Members
Jul 10, 2008
233
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Black Hawk, Colorado
BTW if the thermostat gets stuck on any heater, in any tank, it will get too hot.
Ah, but I cheat I suppose... I run 2 heaters, each sized to just below what the tank requires.... if either of them sticks on, the other one will cycle off and the tank won't boil. Odds on both sticking on at the same time are slim.
 

Star_Rider

AC Moderators
Dec 21, 2005
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Spanaway, Wa.
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Ed
actually it is possible for the tank to overheat..if one heater gets stuck on...there is still a chance that even a small heater can overheat the tank.
 
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