Heaters

[fishyboy]

Is it Okay to use a 10g size heater in about a 30g tank? Just take longer to heat up or will the heater work to hard and break or something? I have a 10g now but want to get a 30g so that's why I'm asking.

Dave

 

[Jawz]

how many watts and where is the tank located? U need a good 100 watts for a 30 gallon. If its a 50 u risk temperature fluxuations which lead to stress which is not good. And the heater will break quicker because the pilot light will constantly be on and off so it will break down the parts unless its a high quality heater

 

[revfred]

I agree with Jawz. The darn think will rarely shut off. And if the unexpected happens and the tank cools it will take forever to get the temp back up. Figure as a rule of thumb about 5watts/gal . . . a 200 "watter" will do you just fine.

Fred

 

[Jawz]

actually a i believe the rule is 3 watts/gal, but hell i have a 200 watt on my 35 so i aint complainin, lol kinda worried actually cuz i never see the pilot light com eon but constant temperature.

 

[fishyboy]

The tank is in my room which is in the basement. I take the heater out of my ten gallon in the summer because the tank gets to about 80-81* in the summer. I think that it is a 50 watt. Oh well, guess I'll just have to get a new one.

Dave

 

[CoNMaN]

Are most heaters now sold with the set-the-desired-temp and let it do the work for you style. I ask because there is no lfs around here adn i rely on online stores. If not, what kind of heater is a good one taht is like that?

 

[HanshaSuro]

I could be wrong, but I believe "pilot light" is a misnomer here. A pilot light is a small flame which is always lit for starting larger gas flames on things like gas stoves and hot water heaters. The light on your heater that indicates it is currently heating is merely a status light.

Of course, if the big heaters actually do maintain some kind of running flame, I'm completely wrong. I only know what I see on my 50W heater for my 20g.