What size heater do I need for my fish tank?

A good rule of thumb for aquarium heaters is 5 watts per gallon for aquariums 55 gallons or smaller, and 3 watts per gallon for those over 60 gallons. Use a larger size or a second heater if your aquarium is in an especially cold room or is located on an exterior wall or near an outside door.

How do I know what size heater I need for my aquarium?

Sizing a tank heater (or heaters) is based on the water volume of the tank, the average temperature in the room where the tank is located, and the desired water temperature for the tank. For the heater wattage, the basic rule of thumb is to use between 2.5 and 5 watts per gallon of actual water volume in the aquarium.

Can a heater be too big for a fish tank?

Actually, there is no harm at all in using a large heater in a small tank. Modern aquarium heaters are equipped with a thermostat which turns the heater on and off when the tank water varies from the desired temperature. Using a large heater will result in the heater coming on less often.

What size heater do I need for a 40 gallon tank?

As you have a 40 gallon aquarium you need 4 heaters (4x10gallons) at 25 watts to heat the water. So a 100 watt heater is ideal.

How many gallons can a 50 watt heater heat?

Heater capacity is usually measured in watts. The general rule of thumb is to have a capacity of approximately 5 watts per gallon of water. Therefore, a 10 gallon aquarium will need a 50 watt heater.

Aquarium Heater Size.
Aquarium Size Heater Capacity
50-60 Gallons 200 Watts
75-100 Gallons 250-300 Watts

Is a 50 watt heater good for a 20 gallon tank?

High wattage filters are best in large aquariums (from 75 gallons) and usually range anywhere from 250 watts. … That said, a 50 watts heater is adequate for a 20 gallons aquarium in a warm room (78° F), but the efficiency goes down in a colder fish tanks to only being useable in a 15-gallon fish tank.

Is a 50 watt heater for 5 gallon tank?

If your tank is 5 gallons then it’s entirely possible to use a smaller heater such as 25 watts. … However, a 50-watt heater is going to be able to heat a tank a lot better and a lot quicker than a 25-watt heater.

How many heaters do I need for a 55 gallon tank?

What Size Heater for 55 Gallon Aquarium. A standard 55 gallon aquarium will require a 165-watt heater at a minimum. A heater this size will be sufficient if the difference between the aquariums temperature and the ambient room temperature is around 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

What size heater do I need for a 125 gallon aquarium?

I would recommend two heaters of at least 300 watts for that size tank, and if it were my tank I would use two 400 watt heaters just because I like to make sure I have more than enough.

Can I use a small heater in a big tank?

Hang on …. it’s a good idea to use multiple smaller heaters versus one large one, but a single small heater rated for a 5-10 gallon tank will likely be insufficient for even maintaining 24 gallons.

What size heater do I need for a 65 gallon aquarium?

-A 65 gallon aquarium will need a heater capable of about 200-300 watts. * We recommend you use 2 heaters rather than one super-strong one. Make sure you aren’t purchasing a heater that is much too strong for your aquarium. A 100 watt heater will certainly be too much for a 10 gallon aquarium!


What size heater do I need for a 30 gallon aquarium?

It’s generally recommended to use 2.5 to 5 watts per gallon of water. So, for a 30-gallon aquarium, you’ll need a heating device with a wattage of 75 W to 150 W.

What temperature do betta fish need?

The temperature should be kept at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder water can kill the betta, as the betta’s immune system will slow and make them susceptible to disease.