Heater for a larger tank

[Mr.kelberi]

What are you guys using to heat your larger tanks? I have a 210..i know thats not big for some of you guys lol. I had a 150 with 2 300w marineland heaters. At max temp(89) it only got the tank to 87.

With my 210 i bought a 300w Eheim Jager Trutemp which is rated to 265 gallons. Its been 2 days and it got the tank to 78, im worried that it wont get the tank to the high 80s.

Soooo what are you guys using?

 

[Drstrangelove]

Using a couple assumptions on your evaporation rate, heat contribution from pumps, and external insulation, I calculate that you have an ambient room temperature of 70 degrees or lower. (This is an estimate, but I didn't give you much heat contribution, so if that's a lot more than 50 watts, you may have a lot of excess evaporation or an even lower room temperature.)

To get the tank temp to 89 F, using the same assumptions from above, you're going to need 788 watts of heating. For 87 F, you will need 703 watts.

You can of course reduce that if you can reduce evaporation or add some insulation. And of course, whatever the room temperature is, by raising it, you can reduce your heating requirements as well.

Every 1 F you raise the room temperature, will drop the heating requirements by 40 watts.

As a result, raising the room temperature by 2 F, and lowering your target to 87 F, will drop your heating needs to 621 watts.


If it were me, I'd first try to reduce evaporation or add some insulation. Air drafts around the tank will remove heat, as will water escaping from the tank. After that, I'd decide on my target tank temp, and then, allowing for whatever I wanted to do with my room temp, I'd purchase accordingly.

Of course, in the summer, it could be that the room will be warmer. But in my model, to hit 89, you're still going to need around 600 watts in a 75 degree room.

 

[duanes]

I use 2 or 3 under sized heaters in over 100 gal tanks, I feel that offers a bit of protection for having a malfunctioning heater cook the fish. If one sticks in the "on" position, hopefully the others will turn off if things get too warm, and I catch the malfunction before it does damage. And all heaters malfunction at some point.
But as an aside, what kind of fish are you keeping that you need high 80s?
If I had Nandopsis haitiensus, Alcolapia alcalicus or discus yes, I would be going for those type temps. But in most cases that's too high for most tropicals, and diseases like columnaris become highly virulent in high 80sF . For most tropicals mid to high 70s are healthy and adequate. I live very close to the equator in Panama, and although the top couple inches of water may be warmer, in most rivers and lakes temps are no where near 90's for any length of time.

 

[altumangel]

Having a top makes a big difference. I use insulation on the back and sides. And have glass top covers on my 135g. I only have a 150w heater and it keeps the temp Stable at 80.

 

[Mr.kelberi]

Using a couple assumptions on your evaporation rate, heat contribution from pumps, and external insulation, I calculate that you have an ambient room temperature of 70 degrees or lower. (This is an estimate, but I didn't give you much heat contribution, so if that's a lot more than 50 watts, you may have a lot of excess evaporation or an even lower room temperature.)

To get the tank temp to 89 F, using the same assumptions from above, you're going to need 788 watts of heating. For 87 F, you will need 703 watts.

You can of course reduce that if you can reduce evaporation or add some insulation. And of course, whatever the room temperature is, by raising it, you can reduce your heating requirements as well.

Every 1 F you raise the room temperature, will drop the heating requirements by 40 watts.

As a result, raising the room temperature by 2 F, and lowering your target to 87 F, will drop your heating needs to 621 watts.


If it were me, I'd first try to reduce evaporation or add some insulation. Air drafts around the tank will remove heat, as will water escaping from the tank. After that, I'd decide on my target tank temp, and then, allowing for whatever I wanted to do with my room temp, I'd purchase accordingly.

Of course, in the summer, it could be that the room will be warmer. But in my model, to hit 89, you're still going to need around 600 watts in a 75 degree room.

Well i was not expecting a scientific answer hahahah my room temp is about 68. I have the top covered with glass canopies. According to your method i am way under what i need.

I use 2 or 3 under sized heaters in over 100 gal tanks, I feel that offers a bit of protection for having a malfunctioning heater cook the fish. If one sticks in the "on" position, hopefully the others will turn off if things get too warm, and I catch the malfunction before it does damage. And all heaters malfunction at some point.
But as an aside, what kind of fish are you keeping that you need high 80s?
If I had Nandopsis haitiensus, Alcolapia alcalicus or discus yes, I would be going for those type temps. But in most cases that's too high for most tropicals, and diseases like columnaris become highly virulent in high 80sF . For most tropicals mid to high 70s are healthy and adequate. I live very close to the equator in Panama, and although the top couple inches of water may be warmer, in most rivers and lakes temps are no where near 90's for any length of time.

Yeah its definitely not a bad idea to have backup heaters, maybe ill get my hands on another jager.

Im not necessarily going to keep the temp in the high 80s. The highest i would ever go is 88. I have peacock bass and some other predators. I recently had a bad case of ich and needed to get the heat up past 86 to help stop the ich. So i would just like to have the option.

I will probably be keeping the tank at 82-84 mostly.

Having a top makes a big difference. I use insulation on the back and sides. And have glass top covers on my 135g. I only have a 150w heater and it keeps the temp Stable at 80.

I do have tops, maybe it is my room temp that isnt allowing my tanks to heat up fast.

I just dont understand the disparity in heaters. The jager is a 300w that claims it can heat up to 265 gallons. The marineland is a 300w that can do up to 80. Then other 300w brands do even less or in between those temps.

 

[flukekiller]

I use titanium heaters with a controller. Best thing I started using.. I use 3 x 300 watt on my 365 gal tank . And I have no problems with heating my tank and that's with my filter outside. During the summer they barely kick on because of the heat given off from my pump and air pump. And so far during the winter my electric bill barely went up $10.00 a month

 

[Mr.kelberi]

what brand are you using?

 

[celebrist]

I just have three cheap 300 watts in my sump with a controller, what are you keeping that you need it so warm if you don't mind my asking

 

[flukekiller]

I use a jemco (terrible at spelling) controller and just 3 titanium heaters...

Yeah, what do you keep that you need it higher. To me that would be a safety net so you know you can't cook your fish..lol.
I have discus and I don't even keep it that high

Maybe it's not a fish tank but a redneck hot tub!!!.

 

[Mr.kelberi]

guys im not looking to keep my tank at 86+..........My tank will be at 82-84. I have peacock bass and some other amazon predators.

Like i said in an earlier post, i had a serious ich problem. I had to turn my heat up to 86 in my old tank to help stop the ich. I would like the option to turn up with heat and not have to wait 10 days for it to heat up if the problem comes around again.