🚀 go-pugleaf

Adam Bracewell (sya@ecmwf.co.uk) wrote:
: Hi netters,
: 
: Just been reading the FAQ for these groups and something struck me as odd.
: In the section titled Starting a new Aquarium, the heater wattage recommended (as a rule
: of thumb) is 2.5 watts per gallon.
: My question - is this really enough ? I've recently seen 8 watts/gal recommended.
: 
: Can anybody clarify ?
: 

Well, I think something is missing there.  The formula should contain
the DIFFERENCE in temperatures between the water and room temperature.

Then things may more complicated.  One may consider is whether there is
alot of air flow near your tank.  More air flow around the tank will
cause your tank to loose heat more rapidly.  A second thing to consider
is whether much water is allowed to evaporate.  The tank will be cooled
from any evaporation.  Yet a third factor to consider is whether you have
any power filters.  Power filters will add heat to the tank.  I have a
Magnum power filter in a 37 gallon tank.  By itself, it keeps the tank
about 4 degrees above room temperature when the room temperature ranges
between 65-70 degrees.  I refuse to consider the thermal conductivity
of the heater itself.  I think that will only effect things if you are
running your heaters near their limits. 

With all These things to consider, I think the best way to really know
is to just experiment and see what happens to your particular tank :-)

I have a 35 hex (with no power filter) that maintains a temperature of
80 degrees with two Ebo Jaguar 100 watt heaters.  The room temperature
varies between 65 to 70 degrees.  So my personal experience with this
tank is that I can heat 35 gallons 15 degrees above room temperature
with 200 watts.  If I turn off one of the heaters, the temperature
starts to fall, so I know that the exact wattage required, with these
heaters, is something between 100 and 200 watts.

--
Dale Skiba