HEATERS HOW MANY

PETE A · Oct 12, 2002

I have noticed over the last couple of days that the temp in my 36x15x12 tank has fallen by 3 degrees, I know that winter is setting in fast and I'm a bit concerned is my heater had it at last.

Have any the members got any favorites they can recommend, or is it possible to put two heaters in the tank without over-heating the water.

Although I got the heater with the tank I dont know how old it is and can't tell if it is on or not.

Great Lakes · Oct 12, 2002

Pete, a good rule of thumb for heaters is 50 watts per gallon of water. Your tank sounds like a 30gal approximately, so 150 watts is what you want for heater size. I run many different kinds without any problems, so all I can tell you about brands, is don't but the cheapest one, Buy quality.

cichlidmaster · Oct 12, 2002

a good rule of thumb for heaters is 50 watts per gallon of water

Trying to have Pete make sushi or what GL

What I think GL meant to say was 5 watts per gallon. This is the recommended wattage.

A 150 watt heater would be more than enough.

Personal favorite of mine is Visitherm although Ebo Jager is also a very good heater

Click to expand...

semper fi · Oct 12, 2002

one thing i found when buying heaters besides the brands is to look to see what kind of control they have. hate it when i get home to find it is just a knob that you turn on the top and have to keep an eye to see how high that is going to go. much more prefer the kind where the temp is labeled on the top. don't rely on it totally, but feel more comfortable with it.

i can't beleive cm answered a post about heaters! he keeps his house literally tropical to keep his tanks heated. i usually sweat off 15 pounds going over there. would go over there more often but i have to fatten up in between! not a real problem lately though!

maggie

wetwetwet · Oct 12, 2002

Just one thing I'd like to add,

When doing your water change make sure you switch it off. Maybe not relevant to all - but with my juwel heater, which sits at the top of the internal during water changes about 1/3 - 1/2 of it is out of the water. This I think caused it to breakdown probably over time.

I learnt this the expensive way! :unsure:

So if the heater is going to be exposed during water changes - turn it off to prolong its life.

Great Lakes · Oct 12, 2002

Thanks for the correction Master. I meant to type 50 watts per 10 gallons. :lol:

It was early in the morning... :blink:

whacky · Oct 12, 2002

And if you can share the load between two heaters this is even better as if one fails the effect on the tank is slower

semper fi · Oct 12, 2002

while we are speaking of heaters. i got a dumb question, can you bury one in the substrate?

maggie

cichlidmaster · Oct 12, 2002

Not a regular type heater.....

There are coil type substrate heaters on the market that are comtrolled by a seperate thermostat.

Quite expensive though.....

I am going to assume the reason you ask is those "Bruts" you have are banging the heck out of your heaters

Take a piece of plastic pvc piping and lay it on the substrate, then wedge it with some rocks.

Guaranteed to be "BULLY" proof.

semper fi · Oct 12, 2002

they eat everything i put in the tank. thought of getting them some dog toys to play with. ate the sponge filters, broke the heaters, dig up the plants and eat them. the red devil decided he would like the driftwood on it's side so he kept on ramming it til it fell over! had to have one heck of a headache after that one! he really made the convicts mad he turned over their hidey spot. think i need a leash for him!

maggie

cichlidmaster · Oct 12, 2002

YEP!!!!!!

That's why they call them "TANKBUSTERS" don't ya know.

semper fi · Oct 12, 2002

as long as he stays as an equipment buster and interior decorator. the last time he broke a tank it was about 5000.00 in damages.

gotta love em though!

maggie

PETE A · Oct 12, 2002

Thanks very much for all the replies to my question. Once again the wife asked me to try and put a plug on the lead instead of being wired directly into the cable box tidy.

To my surprize quess what the heater is working fine and the temp is now what I would expect it to be.

I do feel a bit of a plonker but the only thing I can put it down to is the wattage is not as strong as directly from the mains.

Once again a big thank you for all the replies and again the wife was right don't you just hate that