Choosing the right aquarium heater size is important for creating the ideal living conditions for your fishes. Placing a smaller than required heater in an aquarium will not heat the water efficiently. On the other hand, using a large heater may cause the water to heat too fast and cause fishes discomfort while also wasting electricity. It becomes important to choose an appropriate heater for aquariums. There are a couple of factors that you need to consider for choosing the right aquariums heater size for your fish tanks.
Aquarium Capacity
The primary factor to consider for determining the right aquarium heater size is the amount of water in your fish tank. Tanks with a larger water capacity will require a heater with a higher wattage as compared to small aquariums. A general rule is to consider 2.5 to 5 watts of heating power per gallon of water in the tank. If you have a 10-gallon aquarium, you may require a heater between 25 to 50 watts. For a 30-gallon tank, heaters from 75 to 150 watts will be appropriate. If you want to use multiple heaters, you can divide the wattage between them. Using two or more heaters in large aquariums can ensure even water temperature without cold spots. For e.g., you can use two 25-watt heaters instead of a single 50-watt heater. You should consider the actual water level in an aquarium while calculating its heating requirements. A 10-gallon aquarium with many decorations may only hold 5 or 6 gallons of water.
Room and Target Temperature
The temperature of the room an aquarium is installed in and the target temperature should also be factored in for choosing the ideal aquarium heater size. The room temperature will depend on the area you live in. Some rooms may be colder while others may be hotter. The temperature of the water in aquariums will depend on the ambient temperature. Tanks placed in cold rooms will have a lower water temperature as compared to those placed in areas with normal temperature.
The target temperature will depend on the fish species in your aquarium. Most tropical fishes prefer a temperature around 75 – 80°F. Other fish species may require lower or higher water temperatures for thriving. You must always choose those fish species that require similar environmental conditions for a single tank.
The room temperature and the target temperature will assist in determining the number by which your heater will have to raise the water temperature. If your room temperature is 70°F and your target temperature is 78°F, then the heater will have to raise the temperature by 8°F. If your room temperature is 60°F and your target temperature is 78°F, the heater will have to raise the water temperature by 18°F.
You will need a more powerful heater for colder environments as compared to rooms with a normal temperature. A 10-gallon tank may require a 50-watt heater in a normal room but a 75-watt heater when placed in a cold room. Ideally, you should increase the wattage of the heater by an additional 2.5 to 5 watts per gallon of water for every 9°F (5°C) temperature difference. A 10-gallon tank will do fine with a 50-watt heater if the water temperature has to be raised by 8-10°F but will need a 75-watt heater if it has to raised by 16-18°F.
Ideal Aquarium Heater Size Guide
If you are looking for the right heater for your aquarium, then the following aquarium heater size guide can assist you with the same.
| Aquarium Capacity | Wattage Requirement | ||
| 9°F (5°C) | 18°F (10°C) | 27°F (15°C) | |
| 5 Gallons | 25 watt | 50 watt | 75 watt |
| 10 Gallons | 50 watt | 75 watt | 75 – 100 watt |
| 20 Gallons | 50 – 75 watt | 75 – 100 watt | 100 -150 watt |
| 30 Gallons | 75 watt | 100 -150 watt | 150 – 200 watt |
| 50 Gallons | 150 watt | 200 watt | 300 – 400 watt |
| 75 Gallons | 225 watt | 250 – 300 watt | 450 – 500 watt |
| 100 Gallons | 250 – 300 watt | 350 – 450 watt | 500 – 600 watt |
It is recommended that you use a pair of heaters for aquariums with 50 gallons or higher capacities. For e.g, the table mentions 200 watts of heating capability for a 50-gallon aquarium whose temperature has to be raised by 18°F. You can use two 100-watt heaters for ensuring that the water heats evenly and the tank doesn’t have cold spots.
