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Okay, I was planning on getting a heater for my 46g. I got a thermomater that has been sticking around the 72-76 range (usually 76) Should I still buy a heater? I try to keep my apartment at about the same temp year round because I have betta tanks w/o heaters....

Inky

Hi
Actually, I think 72 is a bit low for most tropical fish.
Personally, I'd keep the temp at 76 to 78 degrees and for
that you probably do need a tank heater. Especially the
way natural gas bills are climbing you may not want to
continue heating the residence quite that high.

Betas actually come from stagnant ponds (wild caught ones)
and the temperatures can vary quite a bit. Think of how
warm the water in a stagnant ditch would be in a blazing
hot day during the summer. The normal Betta that we
purchase every day would probably be more comfortable
in the 76-78 degree range as well.

Frank


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

I fully agree with Frank that temp is a little too low my Betta tank is always about 78.

I personally would buy a heater and a spare one at the same time.

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 &amp; Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]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.
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What wattage should I get? I've had problums with overheating of the tanks when I follow the wattage/tank size recomendations on the box.


Also, my utilitys are free, so I really dont mind turning the heat up. I also read that some people do not buy heaters, rather they simply heat the room instead

Inky

The 150W = 25-40G and 200W = 40-60G

I would use two 150W or one 200W

Which ever you decide always have a spare heater on hand

My Local LFS does not have heaters in any of its tanks the room is heated.

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 &amp; Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]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

Inkling,

The best rule of thumb for sizing a heater takes into account the aquarium volume and the temperature differential between your room and the aquarium. In general, you need 3 watts of heat for every aquarium gallon. By this calculation, you would need about a 138 watt heater.

However, sizing an aquarium heater should also take into account the temperature differential that you need to maintain between the tank and your room. Since you maintain a nominal change in temperature between the tank and your room, 6F (78F- 72F). I would use no more than a 150W heater since they don't make that a 138W heater.

To be safe, I might use two 75W heaters at the same set point in the tank just in case one heater fails. If you take this suggestion and a unit fails, then you will not have a fish boil if it fails in the "ON" position, not will you have a fish-cicle if it fails in the "OFF" position. Of course, the safety comes with a cost - two heaters.



__________
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