Heater

[Thyra]

I know this probably belongs under "equipment" but this site gets more action and I need to know how many watt heater I need for a 26g tank. The used heater I got with this tank is not submersible and that frightens me.

 

[bassbonediva]

You'd be good with a 150W heater on a 26gal. I have one heater that isn't submersible and I really don't like it very much. It isn't very accurate and I find that it either heats the water too much or it doesn't get it warm enough (it has a +/- dial on the top, but not an actual temperature gauge).

 

[Thyra]

I guess the better question is: is bigger better or at least okay. Seems the 200w is cheaper than the 150w on one of the places I Googled.

 

[OrangeCones]

I have a 200 watts in my 29gallon tanks, 150s in my 20gallons, and 100s in my 10s, and 50s in my 5gallons. All are submersable heaters, kept horizontal at the gravel level. I think you'd do ok with either 150 or 200watts.

 

[bassbonediva]

I usually keep this rule in mind when I am purchasing a heater. If my heater is too small, it's going to have to work a lot harder to do its job. If my heater is too big, it will constantly be shutting on and off, thereby wearing it out more quickly. However, like OC said, I think a 200W would be okay in your 26gal.

 

[achase]

Maybe I should upgrade my heater for my 16 gallon....I just realized it's only a 50watt. What do you guys think?

Sorry for hacking your thread a little Thyra!!

 

[OrangeCones]

Maybe I should upgrade my heater for my 16 gallon....I just realized it's only a 50watt. What do you guys think?

If its doing its job, I'd keep it (I'm cheap). But I'd keep an eye on temperature. I check all my tanks' temps morning and evening, maybe a little over-the-top, but I had a heater fail once in winter, temps got down to the mid 60s. Luckily, they were Celestial Pearl Danio, who like it cooler, but that was a bit too much.

Just my 2cents
OC

 

[achase]

Sounds good. I check my temperatures regularly as well and so far the temperature of this tank hasn't wavered much (maybe a degree or two).

 

[Thyra]

Thank you all for your responses - now I just got to make a decision and it will probably depend on shipping costs.

 

[riseabovethesun]

Since we're on the heater topic and I noticed the mentioning of keeping it horizontal, is keeping it horizontal better than keeping it vertical?

 

[OrangeCones]

Since we're on the heater topic and I noticed the mentioning of keeping it horizontal, is keeping it horizontal better than keeping it vertical?

Heat rises, which is why I keep mine low. Also, even though I unplug all electrical items IN the tank when doing water changes, sometimes I forget. All of my heaters SAY they will turn themselves off if they get exposed to air, but I don't trust it. Better safe than sorry

Plus, it makes it easier to hide it with plants.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I keep mine horizontal too also to hide them and because heat rises. I have tried all different locations and directions and have not found any difference! LOL

 

[Thyra]

Thanks for all the help. I ordered a 200w Aqueon (everything else I have is Aqueon and so far I have been satisfied) Vertical vs horizontal might depend on appearance, but one other thing to add to the decision making process is I read someplace putting it close to the filter disperses the heat better. - for what its worth??

 

[OrangeCones]

Exactly, Thyra! Mine are horizontal right below the filter's outflow.

 

[riseabovethesun]

Great information, thanks guys! I think I'll try and put it horizontal, it will actually hide it better, I have just seen so many vertical that I figured it was the way it goes!

 

[bassbonediva]

Great information, thanks guys! I think I'll try and put it horizontal, it will actually hide it better, I have just seen so many vertical that I figured it was the way it goes!

I prefer to put mine at least mostly horizontal, but there are times when there simply isn't enough cord on the heater to do so. The heater in my 18gal and my 29gal are both vertical because there isn't enough cord for them to be horizontal. However, they are both right under the filter output, so the warm water gets dispersed pretty well throughout the tanks.