Heater question

[erin14]

Is 150w enough for my 50g.? Thats the size of heater I have in there now but whenever I put my hand in there it seems a little cool, it doesn't feel like 79degrees, which is what I have it set at, but then again maybe it is that warm but just doesn't feel like it to me. It is working because I see that indication light coming on and off. Thanks.

 

[J double R]

what does the thermometer in the tank read? that's your best bet for telling temperature. if you don't have one, i highly recommend getting one.

150w should be enough for a 50g, depending on the ambient temperature of the room the tank is in. i personally would run 200w, but 150 shouldn't have too hard of a time sustaining that temp.

 

[southpaw]

I would use a 200w on it but the 150w will probably do for now... You really need to use some sort of thermometer too so you know what the actual temp is as the dials on the heaters can be a few degrees off either way of what you have them set at....like mentioned above alot depends on how much of a temperature change it is going to have to make to achieve the temp you want....In a colder room it might have to work pretty hard to keep the temp up but in a warmer room it wouldnt have to work as hard.

 

[mellowvision]

if you're concerned, the thing to do would be to get a second 150 and run them both, no?

 

[p3purr]

A 150 will work IF the room temp is less than 10 degrees (F) than the aquarium temp should be. If you'r increasing the water temp from 10-18 degrees higher than room temp I'd go to a 200.

Personally I tend go higher than needed and invest in a high quality heater. I also put a panel of syrofoam insulation behind the tank and have 3 other panels available so the tank temp drops slower in a power outage.

 

[WeeNe858]

heres my opinion on heaters...

the lower the wattage per gallons the longer it takes to heat the water.. simple as that :devil: now if you need a really well balanced temp then i say get 2 and you wont have cold or hot spots.