About heat...?

[Beeman]

I'm looking for the most low profile(long n lean) heat for a 90g. Night time thermostat in living room where this tank will go set to 65. Can I go with two smaller heaters rated for 70g tanks and get the same results as 1 rated for 90 or better? My thinking, that I'll get more even heat distribution with 2, and less of an overload on a single unit, AND can go with a smaller heater/ profile. Thoughts?

 

[dogofwar]

Yes - two heaters should work well...

Matt

 

[jonclark96]

I usually only run one heater per tank (I have two in my 180 but can keep the temps where I want them with only 1 plugged in). Your point regarding more distribution with 2 heaters makes sense, but you also have about double the initial cost and I would guess more energy usage with both running at the same time.

 

[Buckcich]

Both heaters would hardly work if you keep the room temp at 65F. You only need to bump up the temp by 15F max which is easily achieved by a smaller rated heater, better yet with two heaters (less running time; more durable; more efficient)
You do have the initial extra cost, thou.

 

[Andrewtfw]

I am running two heaters in my 135 because of the tank's length and have not had a problem. I wonder if there would be an issue with two heaters if one was not calibrated as well as the other?

 

[Tony]

I wonder if there would be an issue with two heaters if one was not calibrated as well as the other?

That would be my concern - that one heater was on most all the time with the other perhaps barely running. You can remedy this with a controller if you wanted to be really crazy about it.

 

[Beeman]

I am running two heaters in my 135 because of the tank's length and have not had a problem. I wonder if there would be an issue with two heaters if one was not calibrated as well as the other?

Good point there Andrew, I hadn't considered that! But yet you are running two. Have you noticed that the same one is on most of the time, and the other not? Do your heaters have digital display settings? If so, what kind are you using?
What I'm after is two small stature heaters instead of one big stick. Less bulk to hide in a for-show tank. Thanks

 

[Andrewtfw]

I am running deep blue heaters. Actually since I placed my snake cage under my tank, my heaters in the tank barely run. The heat lamp on the cage seems to be warming the stand to where the water stays at about 77 degrees. When they do run, they seem to come on within a minute or two of each other and cut off within the same time range. This suggests a slight difference in calibration.