External Heaters = How Many Watts/litre?

[ladymaverick]

Hi all,

Following my previous thread on volumes and reading various reviews, I've decided I'm going to work towards getting a 4'x2'x2' tank from ND Aquatics.

This comes out at 453 litres, so I'm assuming a working volume of 400 litres to allow for the gap between the top of the water and the top edge of the tank.

I'm probably going to run 2 Tetratec Ex1200s for my filtration (is this overkill in terms of water circulation given that I'll be looking to plant the tank?) and was looking at the Hydor External heaters.

Does the 1w/l rule still apply for external heaters? Should I look to run a 300w on each filter (building in capacity for breakdown) or can I get away with less if I use external heating?

Thanks in advance,

L_M.xx

 

[ZoddyZod]

the same rule should apply - the heater is still heating the same volume of water, regardless of it being placed in the tank or in the filter hose

 

[Livewire88]

I would think 2 X EX1200 filters are no where near overkill for a 450l tank

 

[tribalbrit]

I run two 300w externals on a 750 lt. and they are hardly ever on. If thats any help.

 

[ladymaverick]

the same rule should apply - the heater is still heating the same volume of water, regardless of it being placed in the tank or in the filter hose

Great, thanks. I wasn't sure if the set-up of the external heater made it more efficient in terms of the volume of water it can heat. 2 heaters it is.

I think the one thing I am loving more than anything in coming back to this is finding out that I can now affordably removed all the gubbins from the tank and just have lots of space for fish and plants.

I would think 2 X EX1200 filters are no where near overkill for a 450l tank

Better more than not enough!

Can ask what substrate is in the tank in your siganture? I'm looking at something dark, trying to decide between black sand alone or blank sand on top of a bed of planting substrate like Eco-complete. I'm not planning on being quite so heavily planted.

Thanks all,

L_M.xx

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

First of all, good choice with the filters and heaters. There are several people on the forum who run them both, including me, and have been really happy with them

I would get two heaters. That way you have a fall-back plan and it's certainly not going not going to do any harm! If anything it will just make your tank more stable as both heaters/filters will be moving warmed water around the tank.

 

[ladymaverick]

I run two 300w externals on a 750 lt. and they are hardly ever on. If thats any help.

Definitely helps - that seems super-efficient. Thanks.

First of all, good choice with the filters and heaters. There are several people on the forum who run them both, including me, and have been really happy with them

I would get two heaters. That way you have a fall-back plan and it's certainly not going not going to do any harm! If anything it will just make your tank more stable as both heaters/filters will be moving warmed water around the tank.

This wealth of knowledge and experience is why I am TFF. Just wasn't around in the 90s when I last had fish. It has been SO valuable for updating my knowledge and widening my options.

Just need to save the pennies now!

L_M.xx