Just a quickie! How long does it take a tank to

[Maroonostrich]

Just a wondering.. It's not a massive tank but the heaters been on for an hour and not much seems to be happening- it's about 16G I would guess. Should I panic?!

 

[WILDER]

It depends on how cold the water was when you put it in, it can take up to a day to get the temp you have set it at.

 

[quintessential]

How powerful are your heaters?

 

[WILDER]

Feel the heater to see if it's on does it make a clicking noise, and does it light up red to say its working, does it say on the box how many gallons the heater is for.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Er, I'm not sure it's the one that came with the tank, Juwel?

It was cold water when I put it in.

 

[WILDER]

Juwel not the best heaters out there, i have them and they are a pain, it will take a day then as the temp go up very slowly, you should her a clicking noise when it heating up.

 

[Maroonostrich]

That's good news (sorta!) thanks. I need it to get a move on, I have plants to collect tomorrow!

 

[Maroonostrich]

Got some news... I've been out a few hours, come back, the stick on temometer reads at about 24 but the water still feels cool to me, though not cold.

Just how warm should it feel?!

 

[WILDER]

It does, when i'm changing the water i can tell the difference from each of my tanks, some feel cooler or hotter than others, stop worrying.

 

[boxman]

I think (dont quote me on it) but jewel tanks come with a 100w for anything under 3'.

I personally have a 300W in my 22gal(uk) which is complete overkill but heats the tank up within the day for sure and doesn't strain it one bit!!!!

If you're that concerned then get two thermometers and put them at opposite sides of the tank, that way you'll definately know the average tank temp!

22-28oC does feel cool, wilder is right, stop worrying!

 

[Maroonostrich]

Does it? Oh that's a relief! I was expecting like, heat! My plastic temometer is now reading at 26 and I even pulled out the heater and felt it through a towel, it IS on!

 

[ncjharris]

Ah, Physics!

Heat energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temp change

Given your tank is 16 Gallons (lets say UK Gallons, as thats where I am!) which is 72 litres. Given one litre is one kilo, that 72kg.

The SHC of water is 4200 Joules/kg/degC.

You don't say your temps, but if the water came straight from the tap and you want 26 degrees, thats about 8 degrees rise.

Therefore, the heat energy needed is

72x4200x8 = 2419200 J!!

Given that Joules are watts per second, and the power output of your heater would be measured in watts, we can roughly calc the amount of time taken to heat your water with your heater!

Rearanging the equation gives you time = Joules/Watts.

Therefore, 2419200/100 = 24192 seconds
which is 403 mins, or 6 hours and 45 mins!!!

Glad to be of help, I'm here till Wednesday!

 

[Maroonostrich]

WOW, impressive! I have a brain that rejects physics- like the two ends of a magnet?!!

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

well since the temp of the tank is below your bodies core temp it will fell cool

 

[Bloo]

WoW that's major impressive
If I was still in school (or using it on a regular basis), I'd be able to do the same, but with 13 odd years out of school and not using any of that, I'm afraid my brain's long shoved that info into the deepest darkest corner ! lol