heater questions

[meangene714]

I've heard of people using 2 heaters in the same tank to get a better distribution, and in case one goes out, the other will continue to operate, giving you time to purchase a new heater.

I've always use only one heater per tank, because I thought it would be more of an eye-sore with two. Does anybody here use more than one heater per tank?

Here's my real dilemma: I've been using the same 300w heater (rena) in my 115g for the last 2 years. My thermometers have never given a reading that was the same as what I set the heater to. And I've gone thru several therms., so I know those weren't the problem. This problem seems to have gotten worse over the 2 years as well.

So I decided to buy a new heater (ebo jager) from big al's online. But I ordered the wrong heater, a 200w.

I don't feel like returning it, and having to pay for shipping. So this 2 heater thing is starting to sound good to me. Here's my next question:

Can I get away with using the 200 and 300w heaters, or should I get rid of the 300 and get a new 100 or 150? Or is there a better combination that you would suggest? Or should I stick to my original plan, return the 200w and buy a new 300w?

One last question, when buying a heater according to the volume of the tank, do you take water displacement from deco into account?

 

[LongTime]

Does anybody here use more than one heater per tank?

I have 2 150w ebo jagers in my 125g but only 1 in my 55 and 40 because there is enough stuff in them as it is.

Can I get away with using the 200 and 300w heaters, or should I get rid of the 300 and get a new 100 or 150? Or is there a better combination that you would suggest? Or should I stick to my original plan, return the 200w and buy a new 300w?

I would get rid of the old 300w because it doesn't sound as if you are happy with its accuracy. I truthfully don't like the idea of a 200w and a 100w just because it offends my own sense of "balance." If the 200 should ever fail on a cold night the 100 would be hard pressed to keep the tank warm, but as large as your tank is it would not change temperatures quickly.

One last question, when buying a heater according to the volume of the tank, do you take water displacement from deco into account?

I have never take water displacement into account for anything unless I was using some very strong medication.


(edit fixed the spelling)

 

[JSchmidt]

I use dual heaters in almost all of my tanks, primarily as a precaution against heater failure and cooked fish.

Most of my heaters are matched sizes (e.g., 2 100w heaters), but I have a few tanks with unmatched heaters. No big problem.

I don't worry if the temp I set on the heater doesn't match the actual temp of the water. I'm more concerned that the discrepancy is consistent. I can add or subtract a couple of degrees, as long as the heater keeps the water at a stable temp. Heaters that allow the water temp to vary more than a degree or so (assuming the heater is large enough for the job) are instantly junked.

So far, I've had the best luck with Ebo Jager and Tronic heaters. I've thrown out heaters by Tetra Accura, Rena Excel and Penn Plax.

HTH,
Jim

 

[daveedka]

I use two in every tank except my 10g's , and in my 115g I use two 200 watt heaters. The suggested range is usually 3-5 wpg, and although I firmly beleive that 3 wpg is enough, I don't mind the extra insurance of going higher. I'd get another 200w and run them both. If EJ's are half as good as everyone says they are you will never need to buy another heater. I do keep mine all matched , I had for a short while, one 150 and one 200 n my 115g, I didn't see any real problems with that set-up either, but Like long time, the sense of balance thing is big for me.
dave

 

[meangene714]

Great advise from everybody. Thank you all!

(for now) I've decided to get another ebo jager, either a 150w or another 200w. Too bad Big Al's sale just ended :sad

 

[hermxl1]

Well I seem to be the only one not too concerned with my heater. When I got my 220g in April I was concerned about the size of the heater and I wanted to put it in the sump instead of in the tank.

My LFS guy assured me that putting it in the sump would actually be better than in the tank because the water flow across it would keep the temp in the tank stable. He also told me not to worry with really big heaters either unless my house got really cold. So I went with a 150watt heater that had a thermostat that I could place in the tank, I put the heater in the sump. I know the formulas say I should use a bigger heater, but I listened to the LFS guy, who has yet to steer me wrong and saved money with a smaller heater. As skeptical as I was about the advice I got, it has worked perfectly for me. The lil thermometer floating in the water has never moved, ( except when I pulled it out to make sure it was working). And since the heater is in the sump, the whole tank seems to stay a consistent temp. Granted it is about 2 degress F different from the setting on the heater, but I can get it to the exact temp I need with no problems.

I would consider the evironment of the room that tank is sitting in and reference the needs of the fish in the tank, Since you know that it will tank a long down time on the heater to really affect the temp of a large body of water, then as long as your fish don't require a temp much higher that the average room temp, you
should be fine with one heater even if it fails for a couple days.


All this to say, pick your heater based more than just the size of the tank, but also the climate of the house, the region you live, it you have air conditioning running all the time (like I do) in the summer, the temps the fish feel comfortable with, etc......

 

[slipknottin]

I use two heaters in every tank of mine.

I actually pull the filter cartridges out of penguin 330s and put the heaters inside.