heating a 125gal

qwe123

AC Members
Jul 30, 2008
231
3
18
Western Mass
So I got two 300 watt these: http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/products/productdetail.aspx?id=2054&cid=1214&mid=3226
thinking that would be enough to heat my 125 freshwater tank. However, they have both been on (red light on) and the temp has not gotten above 68-70 despite them being set higher. The house temp is generally 60-70.
So is it not enough heater wattage? Could it be that the heaters just aren't working (and what would be the best way to test that if that's a possibility)?

Thanks for any advice, let me know if I'm missing any info to help you help me :frog:
 
they may not be big enough to heat tht much water. i keep 3 150watt ebo jagers and a 200 watt in my 180 to keep it 82
 
I agree with prober...you should be able to feel if they are working. Is your tank an open top or does it have a complete lid? And, you are relying on a good thermometer vice a stick on type, right?
 
I have a single fluval 300 watt in a 130 gallon and it keeps the water at 80 degrees all day long - doesn't run constantly at all. Tank is in the basement where the ambient temperature is not more than 71 or so. Get a better heater.
 
Glass thermometer, not stick on.

Will feel them, if cold I'll first try the resetting.

They are right next to the filters, so in spots of most water flow.

And I didn't understand lethalcustoms00's comment, as you have a total pf 550 watts for your bigger tank than mine while I have 600 watts, unless you're suggesting having a bigger number of heaters is more important than wattage?
 
You have more than enough wattage to heat the tank. I have two 300 total wattage in my 150 gal which by the way are in a unheated basement my temp is 75.6. Make sure you have the heaters spaced apart. Also if you really look at the heater should should see heated water coming off the heaters. Putting them in a large pot of water is not going to tell you anything since thw water mass is so much smaller than your tanks. I also find it hard to believe that both heaters would be defective.
 
So I unplugged them and plugged them back in 30 min later, and they still do not seem to be heating up. I felt the heater on my 55 gal to make sure I knew how it should feel, and did see the warmer water rising off the heater. The two on my 125 gal don't show any signs of this :(
 
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