1 Heater or 2 Heaters??

[gustavo85]

Hi! As some of you may know I'm soon upgrading to a 75 gallon tank and I've been having quite a few questions due to short budget.

So, the next question is: 1 Heater or 2 Heaters? The reason is that I have 1 150W Heater and 1 100W heater lying around and I want to know if it ok to use these two heaters instead of buying a new one (with more watts of course) and if it is...how exactly can I calibrate two heaters?:huh:

Thanks!

 

[FastFly67]

I try to use 2 heaters in every tank. One on either end will give you a more even heat throughout the whole tank. If one craps out at 2am, you still have at least one heater working until you can buy a replacement. You don't have one heater running all the time to try to maintain an even heat.

 

[wespastor]

+1 I agree on the above. One could also have a third back-up heater un-used just incease such a mishap should happen. They always seem to happen on the holiday the the stores are closed.

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[gustavo85]

I try to use 2 heaters in every tank. One on either end will give you a more even heat throughout the whole tank. If one craps out at 2am, you still have at least one heater working until you can buy a replacement. You don't have one heater running all the time to try to maintain an even heat.

Excellent! I thought just the same thing. Like with filters!

Now...is there a way to calibrate them equally or what do you suggest me to do to not have one that turns on more than the other one (which is my doubt).

 

[wespastor]

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

 

[gustavo85]

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

Hmmm...sounds good. Thanks!!

 

[danimal_dan]

2 all the way

 

[67chevelle]

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

 

[gustavo85]

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

Indeed. Tetra heaters are famous for that (none of mine is tetra). Also, in that case what matters is wattage. If you have one 250W heater that gets stuck on it would be worse than if you have two 100W heaters stuck on or the same as having one 100W and one 150W both stuck on. Plus by dividing the watts if one stays stuck on heating the water the other will not turn on and the effect will be minimum compared to having one full wattage powered on.

 

[wespastor]

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

Indeed. Tetra heaters are famous for that (none of mine is tetra). Also, in that case what matters is wattage. If you have one 250W heater that gets stuck on it would be worse than if you have two 100W heaters stuck on or the same as having one 100W and one 150W both stuck on. Plus by dividing the watts if one stays stuck on heating the water the other will not turn on and the effect will be minimum compared to having one full wattage powered on.

This is to be sure and more the reason to be sure to get quality heaters. And, If you are using two heaters the total wattage will be with the combined heaters. For example: say I have a 100 Gallon tank, I use two heaters for 50 gallon tanks. This helps reduce the heat load the heater puts out. But it does not eliminate the risk. I think this is what was trying to be said above.

All anyone can do is their best effort at doing their best.

Best wishes,
Wes