1 Heater or 2 Heaters??

[kj5kb]

Heaters can also get stuck on. Using 2 will double the chance of that happening.

Yes, in theory...but IMHO it's highly unlikely they would both get stuck on at the same time.

Having 2 reduces the risk of overheating should 1 get stuck on.

 

[coach_z]

use two heaters.

the benefits far outweigh the negatives

Benefits: safety (if 1 gets stuck on it will only be 100/150 watts), efficient water heating, backup,
negatives: you have two heaters in your tank.

 

[jbradt]

I like using 2 heaters that are each slightly smaller than what you would use if you only had 1. This way, if one gets stuck on, it won't cook the fish... may raise the temp a bit, but the potential for boiling them is drastically reduced. IMO.

 

[verbal]

On calibrating your heaters ...
I use a thermometer as we all should. Set one to the correct temp. take it out. Set the other to the correct temp. Reinstall the first Heater. That's my routine. I useually get all that stuff going way before I have any fishes while I am waiting on the tank to cycle so the small temp flucuations don't matter that much.

Best wishes,
Wes

You might actually want to set one heater lower than the other. That would reduce the amount of turning on and off the heater does. I think this is most of the wear and tear on the heaters.

 

[67chevelle]

Yes, in theory...but IMHO it's highly unlikely they would both get stuck on at the same time.

Having 2 reduces the risk of overheating should 1 get stuck on.

There is no more theory to this then of them failing by not heating the water. They do not need to both be stuck on to cook fish. Only one heater is capable of doing that. Often if they do fail and get stuck on,they will heat beyond what the highest temp of the heater is designed for.

 

[FishPish]

The directions on my neptune say its good to keep the heater in a water current. I have an air rock and a good hang on filter so there is decent enough water circulation.

 

[irishspy]

I'd go with two heaters, so that you have backup in case one fails. I might upgrade that 100w to a 150w, however, so the heating and work done by each is more even.