Acrylic Tank Heater Question (Eclipse 6 system)

[Dresden]

With their being such trivial diffrences in pricing imo over a 25Watt , is getting a 50Watt better for a 6 Gallon then? as one of the poster's sugested.

The packaging is very confusing on the Watt/size ratio, and I don't want to ask the friendly store staff, lest I get sold on 25 Watt today, and find out a week later that it just barely cuts it.

From what I can figure from googling 25Watt is for like a 5gal tank.
I don't mind spending a few $$$ more if it means it will work better. I just don't want to have cooked fish for dinner.

Is there any drawbacks if I get a 50Watt, I am assuming it would be more efficient at keeping the tank warm incase I leave a window open and the house temp plummets.

[1fish2fish]

A 25 watt should work just fine.. its really a matter of choice. The only difference in a 50 and 25 is what the setting will be.. on a 25w the setting will be higher than on a 50.

As long as you have a thermometer and check it daily your heater should never cook your fish

[kelly528]

I read a good piece of advice in a book... aim for a lower watt heater (providing it's adjustable so you can turn it up to the desired temp). The book recommended having 5w for every 2 gallons instead of 5w per gallon, as pet stores often recommend. This way you will still be able to heat your tank adequately on the higher settings and should the heater break it simply won't have enough wattage to fry your fish.

[vaygirl]

I have to have the heater set slightly higher in the 6. Like if I want it to be 84, I have to set it to 87. The three degree temp difference is consistant up and down. Once you know that, it's easy to adjust. Make sure you monitor with a thermometer and it should be fine.