i have a dumb, what size heater for a 55g

[DREW]

I haven't bought any new equipment in a decade and was wondering what wattage for 55g, 200 or 250 watts? Also, I used ebo's in the past and loved them but it sounds like their not put out good equipment anymore, too bad. Are visa-therm reliable? I was looking at those titaniums deals but the wattage I have seen start at 400 watts and up. The next question is what pump to use. I used whispers in the past but they no longer put out pumps. It looks like most websites have hagen products and pennplax products any one of these better that the other. Things have sure change in the aquatic industry. Thanks for help.

Drew

[ALEXIS]

I would recommend a Rena air pump and two 200 watt heaters.

[hunterbeav]

I would go with a 200 but thats just my opion. I use a 300 in my 75's and use a 150 in my 29's. :)

[EthanCote.com]

I just brought a Visi-Therm this morning. It was a 300W for my 75 gallon.

To answer your question, I'll go with the 250W since there won't be much of a price difference between the 200W vs the 250W.


Cheers,

Chi.

[DarkDiscus]

I would buy 2 150 watt heaters to keep the chances of boiling your fish that much less. It takes a long while for a faulty 150 watt heater to boil a 55 gallon, whereas it's pretty easy for a 300 watter to do it...

JMO,

John

[lkleung007]

Hey Drew;

I would go with a 250 Watt heater for that size tank. Many have advocated using 2 heaters; one as back-up (two 200 Watt heaters). If you want to go with a titanium heater; they can be purchased on ebay or on mail order from Drsfostersmith.com. From about $25 you can purchase a 300 Watt titanium heater.

In terms of air pumps, I like the Rena 300 or 400 depending on how many devices are being used.

Regards, Lester

[DREW]

Thanks you have been very helpful. So you can't over do wattage for the most part? I was thinking of two heaters but wasn't sure if that would cause problems w/overheating.

Thanks again

[DarkDiscus]

Drew,

3-5 watts per gallon is a good rule of thumb. With discus I like to be on the 4-5 range. 2 heaters can never hurt you, except for being more expensive than buying one. They will provide all the heat you need and it's much harder to overheat your tank if one goes bad. With a higher wattage they can bring the temp up to the lethal range much faster and give you much less time to notice.

John

[ronrca]

Sometimes heaters go faulty and instead of turning off, they stay on at max setting. The reason John recommends 2 150W heaters in because if one heater stays on at max, if will take a longer time to overheat your tank instead of 1 heater at 250W. This way you hopefully will notice the problem and correct before you fish cook.

You can not really 'over do' the wattage of a heater. All it means is that your water will quicker (and fry quicker) because of the larger heater. ;)

[Cowboy]

I recently took the equipment out of my 55 to put in my 120. I had a 250 and a 100 and was dripping in new water at about 20-25 gal per day. The 100 never went on and I honestly think a 200 would have been adequate. When I set it up again I'll probably add a 150 to the 100 (2 @150 if I didn't already have the 100). For the air pump I've been real happy with my Tetratec Deepwater 24-2. You can't hear it over the bubbles.
Todd

[discus4me]

I tend to disagree with getting too large of a heater for your 55g. i personally have a 200w tronic that works well in my 50g. I was setting up a 29g qt tank and figured i would buy the 200 watt heater for it instead of the 150 and what seemed to happen was that the light was constantly turning off and on trying to adjust to the water temp. I dont think that the light bothers the discus any but i tend to think that turning off and on constantly would decrease the life of the heater. I think i would go with a 200watt or two 150's like john suggested. this is just my opinion. Oh, stay away from pennplax i've tried those and wasn't too pleased.