2 100w or 2 150w heaters?

[SpankythePyro]

I'm going to be running a 40 breeder with a 20l sump..

I'm trying to determine if I should run two 100w or two 150w Submerisble eheim jagher heaters.

I'm worried that is one 150 decides to go crazy it will cook the tank, and obviously running two is to make sure the tank doesn't get cooked.

Thanks guys!

 

[Titans_Reef]

I just run 1 heater in my tanks and have a spare that is calibrated just incase. In my 40g breeder which I also have a 20g long sump, my water temp stays around 76 degrees. Just get a 125w eheim heater. I've used the 250w in my 125g for almost 2 years now and never had an issue with it either and it keeps my tank around 76 degrees also. I perfer 1 vs 2 since its less stuff inside the tank that can go wrong and kill everything.

 

[thegrun]

It depends on how cold you let your house get. If you keep it at 55 degrees+ during the winter then two 100 watt heaters will be fine. If you let it get colder than 55 I would go with 1-100 and 1-150, below 45 degrees two 150 watters. It is always better to use two heaters at half the required wattage so when one sticks in the on position it is less likely to cook your entire tank. Even with a controller I still use two heaters.

 

[SpankythePyro]

Hm, I guess it depends then because I'm going to keep it in the basement of this house which usually doesn't get heated too much. I don't have the option of getting 125w heaters from BigAl's, but I could always order from BRS.

 

[fishchef]

Be sure to always use a controller with any heater.

 

[SpankythePyro]

I don't know if I will be able to use a controller off the bat, fairly expensive when starting off

 

[Kungpaoshizzi]

Get the higher wattage, it will work less. If you want to get 2, it's not a BAD idea..

Check out the Fluval E series heaters, they have dual temp probes.

 

[SpankythePyro]

I guess my only reservations are if i get two 150ws they will cook the tank faster if one fails in the on position. I guess I could grab a $200 RKL kit

 

[ca1ore]

Get the higher wattage, it will work less. If you want to get 2, it's not a BAD idea.

Don't agree! Far better to have two lower wattage heaters. For the OP's tank, unless you plan to not heat your room at all, dual 100 watt heaters will be more than sufficient for 50 odd gallons of water. Stuck heater and run-away ATO are the most common reasons for tank death. Even if a smaller heater cycles more frequently, and thus in theory fails sooner, better that than a cooked tank. Buy good quality heaters like Eheim Jager, and you'll be good to go.

In the long run, a quality external heater controller is a good idea. That way you can set the controller to, say 80 degrees, but the internal thermostat in the heaters to 82 degrees. That way you further protect your tank against heat death.

 

[fishchef]

I don't know if I will be able to use a controller off the bat, fairly expensive when starting off

We use a Ranco controller just for the heaters. $100 well spent when considering the expense of fish, etc. Why take the risk. This is not a cost conscience hobby. A little piece of mind goes a long way.

 

[Shawn O]

Might not hurt to have them on separate controllers, either.

 

[fishchef]

We have both Jagers on the same Ranco. Really does the job.

 

[SpankythePyro]

If I get a controller its going to be a reefkeeper light from DA

 

[fishchef]

Just get a controller whatever you do. Search the forum for malfunctioning heaters, not something you want to happen to you. Heaters are cheap pieces of equipment no matter what brand you buy and you don't want to rely on them when there's thousands of dollars of purchases at stake. Have a good one.