Equipment Review and Discussion :: Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater

[Mom2RES]

So between comments made here and the fact I can't get the heater that I bought to regulate right, I've decided to go ahead and buy a new heater (eventhough the one I have is less than a week old).

Anyway I'm pretty sure I am going to buy the Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater.

Currently our RES is in a 10 gallon aquarium. I know that long term he/she won't be there. When I do buy a new aquarium I am going to go ahead and buy what I hope will be the last (in other words big). My question is, can I buy a higher watt heater than what my 10 gallon aquarium needs? I mean if the wattage is higher but I set it at a certain temp, shouldn't the water stay at that temp whether I have 10 gallons or 100 gallons? If it is possible to buy a higher watt for now and use it on my 10 gallon, how do I estimate what size heater I would need? I mean if I have a 50 watt heater for 10 gallons now, does that mean I'd need 500 watts for 100 gallons (do they even make 500 watts)?

[Mom2RES]

Never mind about the part of how many watts per gallon. I found my answer.

I do need to know if I can put a higher watt in my 10 gallon and it still work right.

Thanks.

[steve]

It can as long as the instructions are followed. The main thing to be careful about is that the turtle can't get stuck between the glass and heater. In one of my tanks where the turtle likes to squeeze into and bite everything, I just have the heater freely dangling.

[VeipaCray]

So between comments made here and the fact I can't get the heater that I bought to regulate right, I've decided to go ahead and buy a new heater (eventhough the one I have is less than a week old).

Anyway I'm pretty sure I am going to buy the Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater.

Currently our RES is in a 10 gallon aquarium. I know that long term he/she won't be there. When I do buy a new aquarium I am going to go ahead and buy what I hope will be the last (in other words big). My question is, can I buy a higher watt heater than what my 10 gallon aquarium needs? I mean if the wattage is higher but I set it at a certain temp, shouldn't the water stay at that temp whether I have 10 gallons or 100 gallons? If it is possible to buy a higher watt for now and use it on my 10 gallon, how do I estimate what size heater I would need? I mean if I have a 50 watt heater for 10 gallons now, does that mean I'd need 500 watts for 100 gallons (do they even make 500 watts)?

Other companies do make 500 watt and larger heaters. The finnex titanium heaters for example are very good. It's cheaper to buy 2 x 250 watt heaters though. With 2 you can spread them out and heat your tank more evenly. Also with 2 if one fails your temp doesn't drop as far. Some of the titanium heaters have a built in thermostat. Some require an additional external controller...the controllers can run 60-120 dollars.

[Mom2RES]

Thanks for the replies. After looking a little closer, the higher watt heaters in this brand aren't expensive, so that is good to know.

I like the idea of having two heaters vs one in a bigger tank. Thanks for that idea.

It looks like our might have a bigger home sooner than later. I talked to DH last night, and we are going to start watching our local ad bulletin and craigslist for a bigger aquarium. We actually saw one on craigslist last night in our area. 150 gallons for $75.00. There HAS to be something wrong with it, but we have sent an inquiry.

I've found a 75 gallon for $125.00, but I'd like to go bigger just in case we have a female.

[sflemin2]

Wow.. yeah I must be cracked or something. If its a seal thing then that can be fixed from what I understand. It will take several years for your turtle to outgrow the 75 (assuming it is under 4 inches). My females didnt hit 7 and 8 inches until about 7 years old. Id would really consider the 75 I think. Most of us have been through about 4 tanks haha

[VeipaCray]

Thanks for the replies. After looking a little closer, the higher watt heaters in this brand aren't expensive, so that is good to know.

I like the idea of having two heaters vs one in a bigger tank. Thanks for that idea.

It looks like our might have a bigger home sooner than later. I talked to DH last night, and we are going to start watching our local ad bulletin and craigslist for a bigger aquarium. We actually saw one on craigslist last night in our area. 150 gallons for $75.00. There HAS to be something wrong with it, but we have sent an inquiry.

I've found a 75 gallon for $125.00, but I'd like to go bigger just in case we have a female.

You can get a 75 brand new for 150, so used for 125 isn't that great of a deal. For any of the large tanks that you see... look at the condition of the glass and the rims. The silicone seals in the corners (if leaking) can be easily fixed for $10.

Remember a 75 and a 90 are the same diameter... so they can sit on the same stand. The 120-150 is really nice but if you do end up with a 75, you could always go to a 90 later on with the same stand / ATBA or canopy. The 90 is just taller.

[steve]

Cheaper tanks might be terrariums which have thinner glass and is not meant to hold water. So if they mention it was previously used from something like snakes, then I'd be extra cautious.