What can I expect from my heater?

[thirston]

Winter is peaking it's head around the south east here in Florida and while I'm certainly not expecting snow :) it will hit the 30's before long. My question is this... what sort of temperature gradient are heaters good for? If the ambient room temp is 50F will a heater be able to maintain a tank temp of 85-90F? In particular, will 200/300 watt heaters in 29 gallon tanks be able to keep the tanks water 30 +/- degrees F higher than the room temp? Has anyone kept their discus outside, garaged, in the shed, whatever over the winter... how? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Dissident]

I'm kinda in the same situation you are, I have two 55gal tanks in my garrage (attached) that will be heated, however it is not very insulated. I picked up two 500W for each. I would double up if I were you, that way if one dies from all the hours it will be running the other should be able to keep up untill you run to your LFS to get a replacement.

The single 300W should be fine but I have never kept a tank in a enviroment that will is 50f, last winter the garrage stayed around 60 but I had no fish in there at the time.

[thirston]

If I try to keep fish out there (garage) I'll probably end up insulating the area around the tanks and using a space heater. I was just qurious though what ya'll thought I could expect from a heater.

[ronrca]

Depends on the wattage of the heater. The more watts, the better it will be able to heat and maintain the water temp. The less watts, the harder it has to work to keep the temp up. In this case, insulating the tank on all 5 sides is recommended (two sides, bottom, backside and the lid). You may also want to insulate the front but of course you would be keeping the discus in a box and will not be able to see them. LOL! ;)

[Smokey]

Wow - your temp only gets to 30F. WE are expecting the temp. to fall to -23F in the next couple of hours !

Insulate the tanks with 1" rigid styrofoam - top too . Front is a major loss of heat. Decrease the heat loss. Exposure to the cold air.

A heater will work well,, if it does not have to heat an entire room.

Smokey

[Brian-pdx]

I've been hearing a rule of thumb 4-5 watts/gal. The best advice I've heard is to split the wattage and use 2 heaters per tank, so that if one runs away, it won't have the wattage to push the tank to danger levels. Conversely, if one quits, the other will keep the temp from plummeting while you get another backup.
Aquarium Size warm house cool house
10 gal         50W         50W
15 gal         75W         75W
20 gal         75W         100W
30 gal         100W         150W
40 gal         150W         175W
55 gal         175W         250W
65 gal         200W         250W
75 gal         250W         300W
100 gal         300W         400W

[Smokey]

Brian: very good chart.
It gives a person an understanding, just what is necessary to keep a tank warm; especially Discus. They do like their warm water.

Wensday, a winter storm hit the parires! the temperture dropped and dropped. Currently it is minus 20 C. Three inchs of snow and ice. My 100 gallon tank dropped 2 degrees F.[ to 88.5'F].The room temperature has cooled to 69 degrees F.
There are 2 - 250 watt heates in the tank.
I believe a single heater would not have been sufficient.

Yes, two heaters can be better than just one.

Smokey

[knobby]

the chart on the box of a Visi-Therm Deluxe says this

5g 10g 20g 25g 40g 50g 65g 75g

9f 25 50 50 75 100 150 200 250
18f 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300
27f 75 100 150 200 300 2x200 2x250 2x300

left column if the amount you need to raise tank temp....
or the difference between room temp and desired tank temp

top row is tank size

everything in the middle is heater size in watts

hth

[jeep]

Pro Heat Titaniums can run 24/7 with little risk of burning out. Glass heaters cycle on and off wether the tank temp is maintained or not.

Pro Heats are also more efficient than glass. You would be fine with a 100w or 150w in a 29g tank. IME, certain 300w glass heaters struggle to maintain 82 in cooler weather.

Brian

[Smokey]

Jeep, are you a spokesman for them [?} lol. Just kidding.

A good 50 watt will keep a 20 gallon warm... However, 2- would be better. Especially if you need higher heat's.

The heater, I use, can go from a 230 gallon unit to a ten gallon tank and still maintain the same temp. With no adjustment. Sounds crazy .. no, just 10 years of expeirence with them.

A high quality heater is worth it's weight in, well fish.!!!

Find one that works best for you. and stick with that brand{?}.

Over the years, as many may have expierenced, Heaters either work or do not... So better than others. !!! Some, more reliable. Some more expensive.!!!

MY rule of thumb .. if it is in the garbage can ... never buy that product ... again, ... lol.. Really. It works for me.

Smokey

[jeep]

Lol, Smokey.....

I've heard too many horror stories about people losing fish due to faulty heaters and I've also seen a lot of debate on heaters. So far I think I've only heard 1 bad story about the Pro Heats.

Maybe if they send me a gift certificate for the discus breeder of my choice, then I may be able to find a few more good things to say about them ;D

Brian

[Smokey]

Howdy: Like you mentioned, Jeep.... - Stick with what works. for you.

This applies to other mechanical devices, as well... If you have a heater/product that has severed you well, why change.[??]

If a product has failed .. well, you deceide. MPO - loose it.

Over the years, I count the number of $.$$ in the garbage can. It does add up.

Today - tried and true products. ... no more garbage can empting.

Some of my experiences.. and a very expensive learning curve.

Smokey