Using Inkbird Heater controller on 49g tank: how much heater wattage do I need?

[techy_reefer]

I have a Waterbox AIO 50.3, so about 49 gallons per their specs.

I have a Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Temperature Controller and bought two AquaEl 200 Watt heaters with thermostats. I know a single 200 Watt heater is plenty for a 49g tank but would having two 200 watts running for redundancy be too much and should I have done two 100 watt heaters with the Inkbird controller?

Thanks in advance for helping to clear up the confusion for me.

 

[Llyod276]

Doesn't matter. The 200 will heat faster set one for your main temp (desired temp) the other one for a few degrees lower so if 78 is desired, set the secondary for 75 or 76. Even 70 will do.

Also 200 will heat temps above room temp in a more severe swing. Mainly if your sump is in say your basement and its 40°F 5°C (?), the 200w will work less often and lead to less of a heat swing than a 100w.

Having duals is just a way to have a back up unless youre running a large system.

I have 2 on my 75 a 300 and 200. The 300w is back up, simply cause its newer. The 200w i thought failed but it was the outlet on the power strip that failed. Now when i forget to turn on the return pump for say 12hrs. And the water is 74° down from 79, its heats up in about an hour vs 5hrs from just the 200.

If inkbird doesn't let you control both heaters independently, then set one manually for the back up heat, and use inkbird for primary heating. The primary heater should be at or above the desired temp so inkbird can control it not the heater.

 

[n2585722]

Wow, that is a lot of heater wattage. I have a 42 gallon tank and have just two 50 watt heaters, but my house never gets below 71 degrees. I used them that way for 6 years now.