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Hi all

I'm planning a 72G tank for Africans. What heater am I best to use. One larger one, or a combination of two smaller ones. Any advance as to appropriate wattage would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Cheers
TW

In larger tanks of 75 gal or more I like to use 2 250watts heaters. This has a 2 fold advantage, first it gives a more even heating of the water and also if one breaks you have the other one as a safety feature. On other tanks I also use they hydor in-line heater 300watt on my tanks, I like this because it heats all water entering the tanks eliminating cold spots. I do how ever have a back up heater just in case this fails.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Hi djrichie

I'd been thinking of the hydor in-line heater, but LFS told me that I had to have a cabinet tall enough to fit the heater in-line vertically on top of the filter. I don't have room, so crossed it off my shopping list.

Is that true. My filter & hoses only just fit in my cabinet, so I can see what they meant, when they say it wouldn't work for me. How do you have yours. I don't suppose you are able to post a pic of your in-line set up?

Cheers
TW

I have mine behind the tank, and behind the background, there is a small hoop that I put a wood screw through to take and pressure of the hoses. Don't buy it from a LFS they charge to much this is oneof the items you will want to buy online. I paid around 35.00 a peace for the 3 that have. As far is it being in the cabinet, the only real rule is that they have to be vertical.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Thanks

I know. I didn't intend buying from LFS, but wanted to have a look at it, so looked at in store. The way my cabinet sits against the wall, I don't have room for it behind the cabinet. You can't pull my cabinet out from the wall, as it's part of a U-shaped bank of cabinets that runs along 3 walls in the room. I have room for aquarium hoses to run up the back of the tank and that's it. No room for hydor to sit vertical in the cabinet either, unless I bring it down lower next to the filter, instead of above it. I don't think that would be a good idea, as the hoses would need to bend down, which wouldn't be great for my filter flow.

Thanks for the tip on using the 2 smaller internal heaters. That's what I thought too.

Cheers
TW

Two heaters is always the best way to go. Also place them as close to the water movement as you can. Mine in the 5ft tank are placed at each end close to the intake and outlet of the Eheim Pro11. The one in the Betta tank is across the back above the long fine water wand ( a long rubbery flexable unit)
I also always carry a spare, one thing for shore when it fails it will be at a time when you cannot get to you LFS.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Hi keithgh

Thanks for the post. You're right about the spare. I had to use mine last night, as one of my heaters was not working properly. Now I'll have to get another spare, as well as two for the planned Africans.

Cheers
TW