king_neptune
Active Member
I'm about to order a heater online. What is the wattage to gal ratio?
And while I'm at it...got any recommended brands of heaters?
And while I'm at it...got any recommended brands of heaters?
I forgot the wattage to gal ratio when geting a heater.
- Thread starter king_neptune
- Start date
tank a holic
Active Member
3 watts per gallon
most heaters say wattage and up to so many gallons.... over kill wont hurt JMO
most heaters say wattage and up to so many gallons.... over kill wont hurt JMO
veni vidi vici
Active Member
Its a good idea to have two heaters.If one goes bad the other will maintain temp.
tank a holic
Active Member
+1
king_neptune
Active Member
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2960536
Its a good idea to have two heaters.If one goes bad the other will maintain temp.
yup, i planned on getting 2.
http:///forum/post/2960536
Its a good idea to have two heaters.If one goes bad the other will maintain temp.
yup, i planned on getting 2.
veni vidi vici
Active Member
BTW i like the Finnex Digital Titanium Aquarium Heaters.So far so good.
king_neptune
Active Member
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2960544
BTW i like the Finnex Digital Titanium Aquarium Heaters.So far so good.
Kinda pricy.
http:///forum/post/2960544
BTW i like the Finnex Digital Titanium Aquarium Heaters.So far so good.
Kinda pricy.
veni vidi vici
Active Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2960555
Kinda pricy.
Heh ehe so is the rest of our equipment.Some of the time you get what you pay for ,and IMO this is one of the times.
http:///forum/post/2960555
Kinda pricy.
Heh ehe so is the rest of our equipment.Some of the time you get what you pay for ,and IMO this is one of the times.
E
eric b 125
Guest
hey nep, in my 125 i have a 300w and a 200w heater. they are both AGA brand and work very well. the thermostats on them are very accurate, and i dont get a sway in my temperature. i think i paid about $25 for the 300w and $20 for the 200w at my LFS.
E
eric b 125
Guest
BTW i've read 5 wpg on one of the sticky threads here.
gooch
Member
I am curious about heaters a bit as well. Are there heaters that are more efficient that can heat more water with less overall wattage?
What makes expensive heaters good, and what makes cheap heaters bad?
I am just having a hard time discerning the difference between Heater A and Heater B and in some case the double or more cost differential between the two.
What makes expensive heaters good, and what makes cheap heaters bad?
I am just having a hard time discerning the difference between Heater A and Heater B and in some case the double or more cost differential between the two.
gmann1139
Active Member
5 watts/gallon for small tanks.
3 watts/gallon for larger tanks.
Gooch, its not so much about efficiency as reliability. So far I've had one tank nuked by a cracked heater that just kept heating
, and a second heater start to go bad and make the tank temperature vary by a couple degrees.
I can't guarantee you'll get what you pay for, but I think it tends to go that way.
I personally use the Visi-Therms. They're black, so they're relatively invisible, they're plastic, so they won't crack, and they're widely available and relatively cheap.
3 watts/gallon for larger tanks.
Gooch, its not so much about efficiency as reliability. So far I've had one tank nuked by a cracked heater that just kept heating
I can't guarantee you'll get what you pay for, but I think it tends to go that way.
I personally use the Visi-Therms. They're black, so they're relatively invisible, they're plastic, so they won't crack, and they're widely available and relatively cheap.
woody189
Member
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2961020
5 watts/gallon for small tanks.
3 watts/gallon for larger tanks.
Gooch, its not so much about efficiency as reliability. So far I've had one tank nuked by a cracked heater that just kept heating
, and a second heater start to go bad and make the tank temperature vary by a couple degrees.
I can't guarantee you'll get what you pay for, but I think it tends to go that way.
I personally use the Visi-Therms. They're black, so they're relatively invisible, they're plastic, so they won't crack, and they're widely available and relatively cheap.
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
http:///forum/post/2961020
5 watts/gallon for small tanks.
3 watts/gallon for larger tanks.
Gooch, its not so much about efficiency as reliability. So far I've had one tank nuked by a cracked heater that just kept heating
I can't guarantee you'll get what you pay for, but I think it tends to go that way.
I personally use the Visi-Therms. They're black, so they're relatively invisible, they're plastic, so they won't crack, and they're widely available and relatively cheap.
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
gooch
Member
Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/2961576
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
I ended up getting a via aqua heater, and I have a visi-therm as well which werent the cheapest, but werent the most expensive. I just really wanted to know what made some heaters twice the cost of my via aqua heater which to me seems like it has all the functions I could want out of a heater..
I mean if better heaters were able to do more at fewer wattage then I would surely be more interested in throwing extra money at something that would save me money in my electric bill.
http:///forum/post/2961576
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
I ended up getting a via aqua heater, and I have a visi-therm as well which werent the cheapest, but werent the most expensive. I just really wanted to know what made some heaters twice the cost of my via aqua heater which to me seems like it has all the functions I could want out of a heater..
I mean if better heaters were able to do more at fewer wattage then I would surely be more interested in throwing extra money at something that would save me money in my electric bill.
lighteningthes
Member
Wow, I have a 200 in my 75 and have to keep turning it down. This is in the winter months of ohio and the tank sits near an external wall.
woody189
Member
Originally Posted by Gooch
http:///forum/post/2961594
I ended up getting a via aqua heater, and I have a visi-therm as well which werent the cheapest, but werent the most expensive. I just really wanted to know what made some heaters twice the cost of my via aqua heater which to me seems like it has all the functions I could want out of a heater..
I mean if better heaters were able to do more at fewer wattage then I would surely be more interested in throwing extra money at something that would save me money in my electric bill.
I honestly wouldn't konw, I think it's mostly just the reliability factor as stated above.
How much was your via aqua? The visa therms are in the $20 range, you aqua was about 10?
http:///forum/post/2961594
I ended up getting a via aqua heater, and I have a visi-therm as well which werent the cheapest, but werent the most expensive. I just really wanted to know what made some heaters twice the cost of my via aqua heater which to me seems like it has all the functions I could want out of a heater..
I mean if better heaters were able to do more at fewer wattage then I would surely be more interested in throwing extra money at something that would save me money in my electric bill.
I honestly wouldn't konw, I think it's mostly just the reliability factor as stated above.
How much was your via aqua? The visa therms are in the $20 range, you aqua was about 10?
tank a holic
Active Member
i have 2 300 watt visa-therm's in mine, work great
I also use elite in my QT and for mixing fresh salt water...
most important thing i can think of is get one that's completely submersible
I also use elite in my QT and for mixing fresh salt water...
most important thing i can think of is get one that's completely submersible
king_neptune
Active Member
Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/2961576
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
I was commenting on the $80 dollar heaters that were recommended. Since I'd need two...that's a pretty beefy investment. I don't have a problem spending $160 if it was really needed. But if I can do fine with a pair of $30 heaters for the time being....I'll do that. And upgrade later.
http:///forum/post/2961576
I have the same 1's, visi-therms. I haven't had any problems (1yr). But Heaters aren't really that expensive, so you might as well get a good one. what's the difference between a good/ bad one, like $15? Might as well bite the bullet and get it.
I was commenting on the $80 dollar heaters that were recommended. Since I'd need two...that's a pretty beefy investment. I don't have a problem spending $160 if it was really needed. But if I can do fine with a pair of $30 heaters for the time being....I'll do that. And upgrade later.
gooch
Member
Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/2961612
I honestly wouldn't konw, I think it's mostly just the reliability factor as stated above.
How much was your via aqua? The visa therms are in the $20 range, you aqua was about 10?
Via Aquas are a little more than the visa therms. I'd post a link but we're not allowed but apparently that drs site has the two different brands where you can compare the prices.
http:///forum/post/2961612
I honestly wouldn't konw, I think it's mostly just the reliability factor as stated above.
How much was your via aqua? The visa therms are in the $20 range, you aqua was about 10?
Via Aquas are a little more than the visa therms. I'd post a link but we're not allowed but apparently that drs site has the two different brands where you can compare the prices.
gooch
Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2961618
I was commenting on the $80 dollar heaters that were recommended. Since I'd need two...that's a pretty beefy investment. I don't have a problem spending $160 if it was really needed. But if I can do fine with a pair of $30 heaters for the time being....I'll do that. And upgrade later.
From what I am gathering is that as long as a heater is submersible, not glass, and has a decent thermostat that is all that matters... At least that is what I am seeing here. There doesnt appear to be an efficiency issue unless someone knows of one.
So.. Find a heater that meets those criteria and seems like the visi therm is one of them, and the via aqua though a bit more has some nicer features like a mountable temp control and a seperate temp gauge you can put in a different area from the heater so it can adjust more accurately. What size tank are you trying to heat?
My guess is that 2 200 watt visi therms or via aquas will run you about 50 bucks or less as long as you buy online.
http:///forum/post/2961618
I was commenting on the $80 dollar heaters that were recommended. Since I'd need two...that's a pretty beefy investment. I don't have a problem spending $160 if it was really needed. But if I can do fine with a pair of $30 heaters for the time being....I'll do that. And upgrade later.
From what I am gathering is that as long as a heater is submersible, not glass, and has a decent thermostat that is all that matters... At least that is what I am seeing here. There doesnt appear to be an efficiency issue unless someone knows of one.
So.. Find a heater that meets those criteria and seems like the visi therm is one of them, and the via aqua though a bit more has some nicer features like a mountable temp control and a seperate temp gauge you can put in a different area from the heater so it can adjust more accurately. What size tank are you trying to heat?
My guess is that 2 200 watt visi therms or via aquas will run you about 50 bucks or less as long as you buy online.