Can a heater be too big?

[Cheeze]

Is it bad to get a heater that is a higher voltage than necessary? I mean, if the temp is set at a certain degree, wouldn’t a higher voltage heater still keep the temp at THAT set degree, just maybe work less harder?

Or am I way off on this?

 

[LAA]

Is it bad to get a heater that is a higher voltage than necessary? I mean, if the temp is set at a certain degree, wouldn’t a higher voltage heater still keep the temp at THAT set degree, just maybe work less harder?

Or am I way off on this?

No if the heater is meant for a bigger sized tank than used in it will not affect anything in a bad way. As long as the heater is still able to be 100% submerged in water your fine.

 

[jeffchapok]

I'm going take the opposing position. I'd rather have two heaters that are slightly undersized. That way if a thermostat on one of them goes haywire and the heater stays on full time, it won't boil your tank.

It has happened.

 

[KStatefan]

I also would rather have smaller multiple heaters.

 

[LAA]

I also would rather have smaller multiple heaters.

I would as well. But having a big heater is not a problem which was the question.

 

[Garf]

I would as well. But having a big heater is not a problem which was the question.

It is a massive problem if it sticks on, instead of being a big problem.

 

[windemerejack]

As most have said it is not a problem to have 1 large heater but it will be a huge problem if it sticks on, and as heaters are the most unreliable piece of kit we own its always best to have redundancy, so agree with most above, use 2 smaller heaters, it could save you £1000's of livestock in the future.

 

[Cheeze]

Thanks everyone!

 

[infinite0180]

An oversized heater can boil yoir tank if it gets stuck on. I use two 100w heaters instead of a single 200w...

 

[reefsaver]

Brilliant thread, answered my questions super fast! I plan on using a 200w Hydor In-Line External Heater along with a flow controllable canister filter with inbuilt UV for my Pico reef I'm working on. It's going to be nice and bare of internal equipment :). The only thing I'm really worried about is making some kind of DIY surface skimming basket for the suction end of the tank.

 

[brahm]

It can, even when the heater turns off it still is hot and will take time to reduce down to tank temps. Too big of a heater(s) may cause your tank to rise above your desired temp as the element it’s self cools off. Enough to create an issue.. unlikely unless you’re pushing the limit temp wise,

 

[terraincognita]

i use a temp controller for redundancy.

so my heater temp is set to 80-81, and my temp controller is set to 80.

That way I'm not worried about it getting stuck on. I have a 150G Heater on 40G.

 

[agame2021]

I live in a hot place… haven’t had a winter yet… but I have 2 smaller heaters(not plugged in rn) for winter just in case. I figure one in the sump and one in the tank.

 

[blaxsun]

A controller like an Inkbird can be a great peace of mind, and while geared more towards inanimate titanium rods - people have also made it work with heaters that have integrated temperature controls.

If you have an Apex or similar setup, you can also use various temperature probes to provide an additional failsafe.

 

[reefsaver]

i use a temp controller for redundancy.

so my heater temp is set to 80-81, and my temp controller is set to 80.

That way I'm not worried about it getting stuck on. I have a 150G Heater on 40G.

I was thinking about getting an Inkbird aquarium heater controller and using some other form of thermo control instead of that 200w external heater for my 15 Liter Pico Reef Build. I was wondering if it would be okay to use some kind of heat mat under the aquarium connected to an Inkbird thermo controller so the heat mat would turn off once the tank is at the set temp. removing the need for me to fill any tank space with a heater.

 

[terraincognita]

I was thinking about getting an Inkbird aquarium heater controller and using some other form of thermo control instead of that 200w external heater for my 15 Liter Pico Reef Build. I was wondering if it would be okay to use some kind of heat mat under the aquarium connected to an Inkbird thermo controller so the heat mat would turn off once the tank is at the set temp. removing the need for me to fill any tank space with a heater.

I've never used a tank mat so i have no idea how effective they are.

But the inkbird has a seperate thermometer so it's just based on your tanks temp. Once it reaches the proper temp it will shut off the circuit to the heating source, and once it drops to the set temp, it will turn the circuit back on.

The only time this will fail is if the temp probe somehow comes out of the water, in which case is why I have the heater set to 81 so that it will still turn itself off even if the probe is measuring the air temp.

I'm not sure if a Heat pad has the ability? that's just in regards to the redundancy situation.

If heat pads will get the tank to the proper temp then probably it will be okay.

Also depending on your lights and pumps and where you live though, you may not even need a heater in a 15L Pico

 

[Mjl714]

I'm going take the opposing position. I'd rather have two heaters that are slightly undersized. That way if a thermostat on one of them goes haywire and the heater stays on full time, it won't boil your tank.

It has happened.

I’m with you, I prefer two slightly undersized.

 

[Mjl714]

I'm going take the opposing position. I'd rather have two heaters that are slightly undersized. That way if a thermostat on one of them goes haywire and the heater stays on full time, it won't boil your tank.

It has happened.

I’m with you, I prefer two slightly undersized.

 

[LIreefguy]

My system is 600 gallons and I only you 2 200 watt heaters and they are only used 4 months a year

most of the time lights pumps and my house keeps tank in desired range

 

[Billldg]

Yes, a heater can be to big. Unless you are home all the time and are able to get to your tank when a heater t-stat sticks, the the answer will always be yes. I upgraded to a 225 gal tank, and ordered 3 300w Titanium heaters with the BRS controller. I run the whole system thru my Apex system, and soon, thru my GHL P4 system. I use the BRS controller for the primary control and the Apex/ GHL P4 for the secondary and failsafe. I originally installed 2 300w heaters, and thru the winter I found that I have to need for the 3rd 300w heater. I will not install it as the 2 300w heaters were more than enough to raise my tank well above what I need. If I added the 3rd then I can fry my tank. If the 2 300w heaters, for some reason stay on, even with the secondary controller as back up, it will give me time to get home and easily get the temp back in order. Plus me going with multiple heaters and primary and secondary backup gives me a piece of mind. If one heater actually doesn't work, I still have one that will slow down the drop of temp in the tank, thus giving me time to get home to correct the problem. The same goes for the opposite as well.