Heaters: Is Three 50W as good as one 200W?

[msb256]

So,
I've got my 55G setup with with a 10G sump. My 10G sump has a chamber on the left for skimmer, standard three partition baffle in the middle, and pump section on the right. I would like to be able to put my heaters in the sump, but I just don't see it as really being possible with full size 150 or 200W heaters.
The return pump section is 7 inches deep, 10 inches wide, and about 8 inches long. So, the only thing I've found that I can fit in there is an Aqueon Pro 50W heater.
So, should I get three 50W heaters and put them in the sump, or one 200W heater in the tank? I'm not electrical savvy so my question is does it work that way? Do three 50W heaters combine to work as good as one 150W heater? The three 50W heaters would cost more, but I just wonder if that way is an option.

 

[mr. limpid]

3 50w doesn't work the same as 1 150w., they only can produce so much heat and 3 of them even if they were on at same time would still only produce so much heat. Minimum I would use are 2 75w heaters. When I replace my heaters I'm going with the JBJ True Temp Titanium because of the digital temp control, no chance of metal fusing together and frying your fish.

 

[msb256]

Thanks Mr. Limpid. I think I'll have to just go with in tank heaters as I can't fit much more than three or 50W heaters in the 10G sump.

 

[mr. limpid]

not that I'm trying to push you in this direction but the JBJ 150w is only 9.5" long. Just saying

 

[acrylic51]

I'd opt for smaller multiple heaters vs 1 heater.....Any heater can malfunction regardless what it's made of, and a digital temp controller means very little....Other than easier to read than your standard heater.....To make it totally fail safe would be to put the digital temp controller on a aquarium controller as a safe guard.....

 

[msb256]

Thanks for the input guys. Here's what I did...
I took back the 250W heater. I did some research and did see a horror story about a heater exploding in a tank. I definitely don't want that to happen and put 55G on water on the floor. So... I bought three 100W heaters. I can fit all three in my 10G sump. Do you guys think that will be sufficient for my 55G tank? After sump it's probably more like 60G of water.
If that's a no go, I'll take back the three 100W heaters and buy two 200W heaters for each side of the DT. I'd rather keep them in the sump but if the three 100W will have to work extra hard to maintain the temp, it may not work out.
Thoughts on this???? Thanks!

 

[acrylic51]

Should be fine!!!!!!

 

[2quills]

You really shouldn't need much more than 150 watts to heat your system. The multiple small ones will work fine. It's not a question of if, it's more a question of how long it takes to heat the water. Bigger heaters heat the water quicker and don't have to run as long. Things like power heads, pumps, lights also transfer some heat to the water. I haven't ran a heater in my 50g in over a year and half. With 4 power heads and the two canisters, heat from those pumps regulate the temperature in my system. But I do live in South Texas so it doesn't get very cold down here in the winter time. The atmospheric temperature in your home with also help regulate temps. So depending on your circumstances what you actually NEED when it comes to thermal control may differ from the next person. You got thermometers for your system now? What do they read? I'd recommend at least having two, one for the tank and one in the sump.

 

[msb256]

Thanks Shawn and Corey! Lately you guys are the helpful two! Haha.
Great points 2Q! The lights get pretty hot and do not sit that high above the water so I bet that heats the water too. Right now I have one 65W 10K that works, but when I buy replacements I'll have two of those and two actinics or 50/50s. (Care to recommend actinic vs 50/50?) But regardless, I'll have two of the 65W 10K and I was told they get hot.
I would assume three 100W heaters in my 10G sump plus the heat from the lights will be fine for my 55G. Thanks for all the help guys!
Edit: Forgot to say, one digital thermometer came with the system but he wasn't too keen on its reliability, so I bought another digital and have one stick on.