ChrisMack Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Hi all, I've just purchased a 3 ft tank (94cm x 46cm x 46cm) and was wondering what wattage heater would be the best for this tank, or even if I might be better going to a two heater setup...... Using "fishprofiles.com" calculators gives me the following Volume readouts: Litres: 194.67 US gallons: 51.43 (trust them to be different!) UK gallons: 42.83 P.S. never realised just how much bigger a 3ft tank is than a 2ft Thanks for any help on this ChrisMack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris.L Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 I think a 300w would be good. I run 2 on my 3ft (yeah, overkill, but i'd rather have 2 for safety). Chris- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doch Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 by rule of thumb 1 litre per 1 watt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisMack Posted April 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Thanks for the help so afr guys So in that case I could get by on a 200 watt heater? would a highter wattage be a better option, or maybe running say two 150watt heaters together..... Also, any suggestions on which heaters to buy, and which to avoid......it would be good to have a totally submersable heater too, they should be easier to hide...right? ChrisMack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doch Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 you can get 2 heaters in case one fails (never had that myself) but i have mine in the sump as it gets it out of the tank the tank is for fish not heaters and filters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman98 Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 get jaguar or how ever it's spelt,they are expensive but i haven't heard of too many if any stoping or breaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doch Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 mine is a tronic from germany 300 watt there are some cheap ones out there but as everyone says buy best first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 I use 2 x 300W Jagar's in my 1200L tank. You don't need lots of watts unless your tank is located somewhere very cold. It's risky putting big heaters into small tanks. The most common failure mode for a heater is 'on'. If the heater is oversized it will cook your fish before you notice. You are better off using multiple small heaters even though it is more expensive. If one fails 'on' you have a better chance of noticing before the fish get cooked. You would be best with 2 x 100W heater or 1 x 200W as a maximum. A single 100-150W would probably also be fine if the tank is in a fairy modern house where the temperature never gets really cold (inside). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisMack Posted April 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Ok...what are peoples opinions on Hagen heaters? So...from opinions here anything up to 200watts for the tank, in any combination of heaters (one,or two heaters) Thanks all, ChrisMack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerminalAddict Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Crikey .. I have 1x 300W in 1000Litres. heavily insulated with polystyrene. 2 sides have 150mm thick poly, and the stand is fully insulated with poly. Tank located in my lounge, and the heater runs for about 2-3 hours per day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisMack Posted April 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Jeez terminal that isnt helping my decision any!!! :lol: ChrisMack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 I agree with Warren 100%. I use 2 300watt on my 1200 litre saltwater reef, and one of them is set to come on at 20degrees and sound an alarm, so its just a backup. 2 heaters in a small tank is DANGEROUS. Take my word for it the chance of a heater sticking on is far more commin than one failing. 2 heaters is twice the likleyhood of this happening. The fish can survive just fine at a lower temprature for a while, a higer temprature will kill them. I have been using Visitherm heaters (glass ones, not the newer stainless steel ones) for many years without complaint. I have tried others including Ebo Jager (the most expensive ones), and will stick with the Vistherms. Good luck. Pies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 I vote with Warren too. Having said that, my tank sits on a external heat pad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doch Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 what you have an electric blanket for your fish caryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Yes actually. The heat pad is made using the same wire they use in electric blankets. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Hagen heaters are ok. I have had some trouble with the temperature calibration drifting upwards a few degrees over time (ie over a couple of years) with the standard Hagen heaters (however I have also had this problem with Visatherms & Bluetherms and it can be fixed if need be). I consider Hagen's to be good value for money though, as they are normally quite a bit cheaper than some of the other brands that people seem to like to talk up and are probably not really any more likely to fail than other bi-metallic strip controlled heaters (as an aside - Tronic heaters are electronically controlled). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman98 Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 caryl how much do heat pads cost and where do you get them from i've never seen them for sale anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 We make our own. We are a bunch of DYS ppl But it is hard to find all the necessary parts tho I start by stripping old discarded electric blankets for the wire, being careful there is no bent or damaged parts, then a piece of softboard,(pinex) into which the wire is stapled into shallow saw cuts, connect a thermostat and also a lead with a plug for the power, and cover the pad with the wire on, with vinyl to tidy it up, and you have a heatpad made. No sweat. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 We make our own too. There was an article on how to do it, written by my husband Grant, in one of the Aquarium World magazines a few years ago but you really need to have some electrical qualifications to attempt such a project as it would be so easy to burn the house down if you got the calculations wrong. We didn't use old wire, we bought new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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