What wattage heater for 55gal?
- Thread starter shnabbles
- Start date
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Member
The size heater you will need will depend on a number of factors: the difference betweeen desired tank temp and that of the air in the area where the tank will be, how many powerheads, lighting, if you are using a sump and/or have a refugium, and the number of heaters you put in.
For example, I have a 55g display with a sump & refugium. The sump/fuge was a DIY with a free 50g tank. All totaled I have about 80g of water area. Once I remove the area for LR I'm really down to about 60g of water. I want the tank to be 80 degrees, the house is kept at 68. The area where the tank is averages 70 degrees. So I need to raise the temperature by 10 degrees. The motors on pumps/powerheads will help raise that temperature some but not 10 degrees. Evaporation & the use of a HOB overflow reduces the temp so that is almost a wash. I purchased a 150watt Titanium heater to heat the tank. It can more than makeup for a drop in room temperature. It also was much more accurate than the glass encased heater we had before and I don't have to worry about breaking glass. With the use of metal halides, I find I need no heater at all during the day but do at night to prevent large temperature swings. If I had a larger sump/tank I would have purchased 2 of the smaller heaters so that if one burned out there would be a backup.
For example, I have a 55g display with a sump & refugium. The sump/fuge was a DIY with a free 50g tank. All totaled I have about 80g of water area. Once I remove the area for LR I'm really down to about 60g of water. I want the tank to be 80 degrees, the house is kept at 68. The area where the tank is averages 70 degrees. So I need to raise the temperature by 10 degrees. The motors on pumps/powerheads will help raise that temperature some but not 10 degrees. Evaporation & the use of a HOB overflow reduces the temp so that is almost a wash. I purchased a 150watt Titanium heater to heat the tank. It can more than makeup for a drop in room temperature. It also was much more accurate than the glass encased heater we had before and I don't have to worry about breaking glass. With the use of metal halides, I find I need no heater at all during the day but do at night to prevent large temperature swings. If I had a larger sump/tank I would have purchased 2 of the smaller heaters so that if one burned out there would be a backup.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by Shnabbles
What size heater should i use? Should i use submergable?
actually 0 watts. I have never used one. As long as the room temp is confortable to humans tanks are fine. And heaters do fail and usually stick on. Crashing systems.
Sure for a more even temperature you can set the heater to just above room. IME just not necessary.
dburr
Active Member
actually 0 watts. I have never used one. As long as the room temp is confortable to humans tanks are fine. And heaters do fail and usually stick on. Crashing systems.
BB_BS. Geez, for crying out loud Bob, you gotta stop. This is rediculous. Sinse when do you set the temp to 80 in your house? If your gunna post this kind of stuff, don't post.
I use 2 heaters. Both under powered just in case 1 sticks on.
BB_BS. Geez, for crying out loud Bob, you gotta stop. This is rediculous. Sinse when do you set the temp to 80 in your house? If your gunna post this kind of stuff, don't post.I use 2 heaters. Both under powered just in case 1 sticks on.