6 degree temp swings - need a heater

[djconn]

Okay, I've had my tanks up for a few years now and recently (since its been getting cold) I've been paying a lot of attention to the water temps provided by my Corallife dig. themometer. I've realized that there are huge temp swings in my tanks from moring to night. This morning I had a reading of 71.4 and usually an evening time temp is around 77.

So, I assume everyone agrees this is a big temp swing that cannot be good for the health of my system? What kind of heater do you suggest? Will a 50 watter be okay in my 20? I need one that is small and reliable. Might eventually add one to my 5.5 and 2.5 as well. Thanks

 

[ExiledInfidel666]

visi-therm eh 100watt should be just fine, I use a 50w in my 10 and was about to get a 100w because a little more watts dont hurt, it will actually let the heater last longer

 

[djconn]

Any idea what you paid for it? It looks like they're all around $20 or so.

 

[Trogdor]

I have a 100w in my 20g tank and it took a few days to get it set right, even with the temp. scale on the heater. Almost every heater that I have owned has had a thermometer that has to be set lower than what water temp you want.

 

[ExiledInfidel666]

mine usually worked opposite, set it higher but the visatherm is right on with the temp, its set at 78 and the temp is 77-78 at all times

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've had two visa-therm heaters get stuck in the on postition. First one was three years ago when I first set up my original nano. 2 boiled fish. Second one was a year or so later and I lost a plate coral, an alveopora and a monit digi. All the other corals survived the 90+ degree water thankfully as did the clown.

I now use the ebo jager heater in the 30 and it keeps a nice stable temp. In the 2.5 I have a 25 watt submersible mini heater from www.petsolutions.com and it has kept the tank a stable 80 degrees since January of this year.

 

[djconn]

Great thanks SM. I'll prob. go with those two as well. My worst fear is coming home to a 95 deg. tank! I've heard nothing but good things so far about ebo jagers.

 

[ExiledInfidel666]

and thats the fisr bad thing I heard about visi-therm, il keep an eye on my tank

 

[Phischy]

I've got a titanium heater in my sump, question though, should I keep the therometer in the sump or in the display tank? Both are in the sump right now, but it's a much smaller volume of water. or should they both be about the same? I really should have used two smaller heaters so if one goes out the tank will survive. I have no AC and I don't use my heater, but it can get into the 40's at night around here so I freeze and the tank is warm....uh....I must be loony