Heaters..

[Neurotic_Fish]

I just want to know..if i put a heater which is designed for a 25 gallon tank in a 13 gallon tank,will there be any problems?
the same if i have a 10 gallon heater in a 4 gallon tank..

unusual, ha? B)
I was given 2 heaters,and i wanna be sure that they won't cause any problems to the tanks' temperature

 

[treeh0rn]

Hello, I'm also new to fishkeeping. I had a similar dilemma when I bought my heater.
I have a 50 watt heater for my 5 gallon tank (don't laugh!)
A 25 watt was recommended on the heater packaging, but they didn't have one, so I asked a friend. All he said was that a more powerful heater will heat up the water more quickly. As long as the thermostat on the heater is working properly, the water temperature should be regulated accurately.
I think the reason why different wattage heaters are recommended is so that you don't have to wait hours heating a 50 gallon tank with a 25 watt heater!!
PS I haven't actually set up my tank yet so PLEASE check with someone as well. Just thought my friend's advice would be helpful (it sounds logical enough)

 

[Neurotic_Fish]

That's exactly what i think,too.I just want to be sure

thanx treehorn

ps.i wish i had a new tank to set up,too..

 

[ryansfish5g]

I think it should be fine, the heaters just won't have to be on as long to heat the tank up. Also, the area right around the heaters might be slightly warmer while they are on, I don't see that as being a problem though.

If you had a 500w heater in a 10 gallon tank, then I might worry, but yours are close enough.

Also, you wouldnt want a 25w heater in a 10 gallon or greater tank because it would be on all the time and the heater wouldn't last very long.

 

[Sinuhe]

I prefer using less wattage than recommended, so there isn't such a big risk of overheating if the heater breaks. The needed wattage also depends on how big is the difference between room temperature and the desired tank temperature. If they are close, like withing a few degrees of Celcius, then there should be no problem with using a less powerful heater.

I have a 25 watt heater on a 10 gallon. Now that it's winter and the room temperature has dropped a little, the heater is on more, but not all the time. A 100 heater in my 33 gallon is off most of the time, and so is the 50 watt in an 18 gallon.

The ideal would be using 2 small heaters instead of 1 big. The risk of overheating is still low, and you have an extra heater in case one breaks.

 

[smb]

I agree with Sinuhe. I like to use 2 heaters that each equals half the tanks volume. This way when a heater sticks on or off, which will happen to everyone eventually, you don't kill your fish as the other is still strong enough to pick up the load if it get's stuck in the Off position and 1 heater isn't strong enough to cook the fish if it gets stuck in the On position.

 

[rudeanduncouth]

I currently am using a heater that is a little big for my tank, and I do run into one problem with it. I have it cranked down all the way, but it still keeps my water a bit warmer than I like. It keeps it around 80 (+/- a few degrees) degrees farenheit when I have the light on. I would prefer it around 75 personally.

 

[yhbae]

I currently am using a heater that is a little big for my tank, and I do run into one problem with it. I have it cranked down all the way, but it still keeps my water a bit warmer than I like. It keeps it around 80 (+/- a few degrees) degrees farenheit when I have the light on. I would prefer it around 75 personally.

Surely, that must be as a result of the thermostat not working accurately rather than the rating of the heater...

In my case, since we live in Canada, the room temp over night can drop close to 50F, in order to save some heating bill. (Of course, this only happens to non-sleeping areas). In order for me to make up almost 27F difference, I have two 150w Ebo Jagers in my 25g, same for 33g as well. Even in my 15g I have 150w, and 100w for my 10g, etc.

Temperature in all tanks are rock solid. I know I am risking boiling the tank if one of the heater sticks but I don't have much of a choice given how low the temp can drop to...

 

[david27]

Hi rudeanduncouth (I do hope that ain't true )

I does sound as if your heater isn't quite right and since its showing signs of staying on I would change it, and keep it as a emergency replacement.

As for heater sizes I agree with sinhue and smb, Much safer

David