Heater preference?

[FLGirl1977]

What would you suggest for a heater for a 120 gallon tank? I currently have Eheim Jager heaters in all of my tanks, but after reading about a few problems with them, I'm a little skeptical about getting one for my large tank. Someone even suggested getting two smaller wattage heaters for a large tank so that if they malfunctioned, it wouldn't boil your fish. So:

What do you use?

What do you wish you used?

Would you get two smaller wattage heaters or one larger wattage heater for a tank that size?

I'm very interested in knowing what people prefer...

[KDodds]

I always prefer to go with two or more underpowered heaters. I have 4 350W heaters running in my 450, for instance. Hard to boil a discus, LOL, but not impossible. My current preferred heaters are the Renas, which I've had no problems with. Newer Ebos I've had nothing but problems with and stopped buying them at least a year ago, maybe longer. Just as a frame of reference, I've over 1,000 gallons in various tanks, so it gets a little expensive if you have to keep replacing heaters.

[William Palumbo]

Me personally...on a big tank like that, I would use two for sure. I have a 125 and I always used two. Tho here in Chicago, and because my tanks are in the basement, I NEED the extra wattage to keep it warm...Bill

[rickztahone]

What do you use?
in my 125 i have a aqueon 300w heater and a hydor 300 inline heater.

What do you wish you used?
i wish i had another XP3 so i can hook up another hydor to it

Would you get two smaller wattage heaters or one larger wattage heater for a tank that size?

i'm really happy with having two heaters for the reasons stated above by other members. the aqueon heater i have in there because it came as a package deal with my 55 and it hasn't been a problem so far. i have a stealth heater in my 55 btw that i am not happy with at all

[FLGirl1977]

Okay, so if I chose to get two heaters, what wattages should I go with?

[William Palumbo]

Renee, that would be based on how much higher you need to heat over room temp. I would guess you would need less living in Florida, than I would need in the Mid-west...Bill

[FLGirl1977]

Well, we live here now......... but I'm not sure how much longer that will be the case. We would like to move to the Carolinas, but if that's not in the picture: Portland, OR.

[Bainbridge Mike]

Hi Renee:
I would recommend two heaters approximately 200 watts each (maybe 250 watts if you are going to portland). A good rule of thumb is 3 to 5 watts per gallon. You decide what end of the range to use based on the differential between your water temperature and the air temperature of your room. If you have the $, it is also preferable to use a seperate temperature controller. I got a controller from jehmco that i really like. the controller plugs into the wall and then you plug your heaters into the controller. Also, its a good idea to have an extra heater around because heaters will eventually fail.

good luck!

Mike

[Porkchop]

Okay, so if I chose to get two heaters, what wattages should I go with?

Usually on some websites, it will have a rating of how many watts you need to get over a certain room temperature. Check this link out...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/visitherm3.html

Personally, I'm going to have 2 heaters in any tank 55 gallons and up from this point on. That's just how I plan on doing it though, others may see it different. Not only do you have less chances of disaster as stated above, I feel that the heaters end up running less with 2 of them in the tank, as well as potentially lasting longer.

Anthony

[Ardan]

I always use 2 underpowered heaters, plus on my discus tanks I now use a temperature controller to be more safe
http://www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html
I have been using the top etc1-1R and have been happy with them.


hth
Ardan

[marielou20]

Ebo Jaggers are really good ones!

[Eddie]

Ebo Jaggers are really good ones!

I have to concur....I've had the Eheims since they first changed over to Eheim and haven't had any major issues. I had to recalibrate one but that was partly my fault. I have about 8 of them and once they hit the temp I need, they don't budge....EVER.

I'd go with 2 each 250s for your 120 Renee. Thats just my 2 cents.


Eddie

[FLGirl1977]

I'd go with 2 each 250s for your 120 Renee. Thats just my 2 cents.


Eddie

Perfect! Thanks Eddie. I was just thinking I was going to go with two, but was debating on the wattage... Now I just have to find the perfect price!

[Eddie]

Perfect! Thanks Eddie. I was just thinking I was going to go with two, but was debating on the wattage... Now I just have to find the perfect price!

petguys.com or jehmco

[Ibanez540r]

I've gone to the Marineland Stealth heaters. I really like them. No glass to break, temp stays perfectly consistent. Good price going on right now at Dr. F & S. Don't know what anyone else thinks about them but been happy so far