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I know the general rule for heaters is 5 watts per gallon. I just got a hanging heater made by Penn Plax for my 5g minibow I just set up. It is 50 watts. Is that too much for the 5g? I didn't think about it when I bought it because the smallest watt heater I have bought is a 50 watt for my 10g so I guess I was not thinking about how many watts per gallon it was.
Also will the heater overheat if the water is about 1/2 inch below the water line on the heater? I think the heater is also a little too long for my tank. Right now the water in the tank is at its max and it barely reaches the water line on the heater. I know water will evaporate and I am not sure how often I will remember to top it off...that means the water will fall below the water line. The instructions on the heater said this is "misuse". :%)
I would like to know if this heater is too large before I go buy another one.

*Kristin*

My infomation is a 25W for a 5.5gal tank. Using this figure you are twice the heat capicity necessary.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Ok so that means I need to get a 25 watt, right? I don't want to overheat the tank. I don't have any fish in there right now, so it will be ok until I get another heater.
I just wish I would have thought about that when I was at the store today.


*Kristin*

My infomation came from a FREE booklet Basic Aquarium Guide.
WWW.hagen.com

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

ok, is it 5wpg or 2wpg? i've been hearing both more and more alot lately... whos right??

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Hi,
The general "rule of thumb" is 5 watts/gallon. However,
if you keep your tank in an area that is heated to, say
70 or more degrees in the winter, then you could probably
get by with a lower wattage. A 25 watt heater is what
I would put on a 5G tank.


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

It won't overheat the tank. That's what thermostats are for.
The only reasons people suggest about 5wpg, is so that in case the thermostat thing jams, it won't boil the fish AS fast as a 25watt heater.
In theory, you could put a 300W heater, it would jsut heat up the tank really fast...

Last edited by nattereri at 11-Dec-2005 13:38

Well yea you could put a 50w good quality heater on there and probably never worry but it has to fit. In the first post it was mentioned the heater sticks up above the water line so if the water level drops any between top offs the water will be too low. Depending on what heater it is it will either run too much and cook everything or it will automatically shut off and let the water temp drop. Now a 300w(or anything more than a 50w) cannot be used on a 5g tank. It just plain doesn't fit. I've had enough trouble with 25w heaters in some 5g tanks. My hex is great cause it's tall enough but for the rectangle 5g I have to turn it at an angle from top left corner to bottom right corner.

I went to the LFS and got a 25w heater. It is a better brand and submersible so it fits. Even though the other one was 50w, it didn't do a good job, maybe because it didn't fit right. The water started out at 70F and this morning it was only up to 72F and didn't change after I adjusted it higher.
The new one says it starts at 76F and then you can adjust it higher or lower. Right now the temp is 74F and that is only after a few hours. Next time I will go with the better brand and the right watts. The phrase "you get what you pay for" is true...the first heater was kind of cheap, and didn't work right. I will be taking it back anyways.:%)
Thanks for the help.

*Kristin*