Oversized heater

[goheel]

I'm putting a 250W heater into a 30G tank. Will there be any problem? I'm thinking there won't be any problem with the size of the heater since the heater will shut off at preset temperature.

[White Worm]

Might want to go smaller watt in case that thing sticks on and cooks your fish.

[goheel]

what's a typical lifespan of a heater? I'm using a brand new Visitherm Stealth.

[White Worm]

Lifespans jump all over the place depending on which heater. Some die within a year and other last much longer.

[candyl70]

Go,

I have the same heater in my 55, but had also used it in my 36 gal with no problems. My b/f who has the same heater had his crash in less that a year. But he had a ton of algae at one point and I think that might have cause a problem in his. It got stuck on 80 :(

[Mack]

If it is a new (good brand) than over kill is good in case of treatment (cranking heat up to 93).

[Dissident]

Might want to go smaller watt in case that thing sticks on and cooks your fish.

True



If it is a new (good brand) than over kill is good in case of treatment (cranking heat up to 93).

True


Get 2 smaller ones, 2x150W would be plenty and if one gets stuck on you won't kill your fish, and you can still crank the heat.

[Kap]

How about going with two 75s? One quits and you still have heat, one sticks and cooking takes longer....

[Alight]

I've had a bit of a problem with oversize Stealth heaters. They seem to vary the temperature quite a bit (more than 3 degrees F). I suspect this is because they continue to heat the tank for quite a while after the thermostat clicks off. With a correctly sized Stealth, I've had no problems (temp variation less than 0.5 F).