Heater Questions

[BettaPirate]

So I am sorry if these have been answered before but I have a few different questions so here it goes.

1. Can you put a 7.5 watt heater in a 1 gallon tank safely? I have a betta stick so it's really small but not adjustable.
2. Is a 25 watt adjustable heater big enough for a 10 gallon tank?
3. If 25 is not enough and I split the tank would it be best to get a second 25 watt adjustable heater and put one on each end or just upgrade to a 50 watt heater?

Thanks

[blu the betta]

i recommened a 50watt.

[blu the betta]

50 watt is the best choice!

[Tikibirds]

1. Can you put a 7.5 watt heater in a 1 gallon tank safely? I have a betta stick so it's really small but not adjustable. Yes but you need to keep an eye on the temp - not all of them have an automatic shut off and will keep heating the water even if its 100F
2. Is a 25 watt adjustable heater big enough for a 10 gallon tank? No - you need a 50 watt. It takes 5 watts to heat up 1 gallon of water so 25 watts is best for a 5 gallon or smaller tank.
3. If 25 is not enough and I split the tank would it be best to get a second 25 watt adjustable heater and put one on each end or just upgrade to a 50 watt heater? I use 50 watts in my 10G tanks so not sure. There are some people that have a heater and/or filter for each side though.

[BettaPirate]

Thanks everyone! This helps in my deciding which way to go with my next tank, if I end up getting another one... who am I kidding, i'll probably get another one ;)

[Otterfun]

My Marina 7.5W Slim heater varies from 80-74F overnight in a 2.5 Bow Tank. Went out ang got a 50W adjustable for my 2.5 BT and it varies +/-1F. Panel on the box says 50W can serve up to 10 Gal.

Short answer :7.5W may not work well in tanks bigger than 1.5 gal, but it it the preset feature and the great fluctuations that I would recommend against any preset heaters. That is a $15 lesson I learn.

[Tikibirds]

Oh, i forgot - Tetra preset heaters are crappy. I have a 50 watt which should be able to heat up a 10 gallon but it can barely keep a 1 gallon at 74 They are cheap and sold at walmart but I wouoldn't bother with them. Some people say they work but most seem to say they are crap.

For small tanks, I like the Hagen Elite 25 watt heaters- they are not as tall as most of the others and work fairly well. I use them in 2-3 gallon kritter keepers and a 5 gallon tank but you may have to order them online - i have never seen then sold at petco.

Besides tetra, the other brand to aviod is Petsmart's brand - top fin. I have a 100 watt heater of theirs and it has worked fine for 2 years but many people say they will break inside the tank?

[BettaPirate]

thanks for all the info and advice. I am still deciding which way I am going to go and hoping maybe my hubby will get me a 10 gallon kit for valentine's day :)