Seems those with large tanks prefer using multiple heaters through a single controller. I understand the setup up and reasons. My question is for a 55 gallon tank is this necessary? The risk of a heater sticking still exists. Then the question, one 200w or two 100’s?
I like the price of the Inkbird 306t but it seems they have their problems also. I know the Jehmco is the way to go but they are pricey. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks
Equipment & Supplies • 55g tank- heater controller or not
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Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
Doubt if people around here would call a 55 a large tank
I've always just run a single heater, never saw the need for a fancy controller. 150W should suffice, unless you keep the tank somewhere unusually cold, like a basement.

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- awanderingmoose
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:09 pm
- Location: Way up north, eh
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
I was not saying a 55 is a large tank. I stated that those here with large tanks use controllers but what about a 55. Sorry I was not more clear. Thanks for your thoughts
- AV8TOR
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
I do not use heater controllers on any of my tanks that use a heater which are a 75G (200W) and a 220G (300W) tank. Even on smaller size tanks that may require an occasional heater I just choose to use the appropriate wattage based on average room temperature and aquarium size then choose a heater. My house temperature stays around 72F to 75F during the winter since I have a lot of aquariums and find it cheaper to heat the house rather than the individual tanks.
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Dee
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Member since 3/7/2006
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Dee
Eheim filter user
Member since 3/7/2006
- Deeda
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:56 pm
- Location: Medina, OH
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
I've beenlooking into controllers lately also. I've read slot of reviews on inkbirds. From why I've read it seems like they have had failing issues almost as frequently as a heater failing issue if not more. Anyone here had issues with them failing?
125 gal peacock and hap tank
Fx6 and AC 100
75 gal peacock and hap tank
Fx6 and AC 100
Fx6 and AC 100
75 gal peacock and hap tank
Fx6 and AC 100
- Jread002
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2019 2:04 pm
- Location: Syracuse , NY
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
I would just use a 150w heater personally, provided the room is heated. I use a 300w heater on my 210g that is in a basement heated to 68f. The tank is steady at 78f.
I used to use a 250w heater on it.
I used to use a 250w heater on it.
- noddy
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:54 pm
- Location: toronto
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
noddy wrote:I would just use a 150w heater personally, provided the room is heated.
Thanks
Why a 150w instead of a 200w? Is the thought that if stuck on it might not reach a deadly temp? The tank is in a livingroom heated and cooled. I always worried that a 3w/gallon heater might run most of the time and burnout sooner. Thanks again
- AV8TOR
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
AV8TOR wrote:noddy wrote:I would just use a 150w heater personally, provided the room is heated.
Thanks
Why a 150w instead of a 200w? Is the thought that if stuck on it might not reach a deadly temp? The tank is in a livingroom heated and cooled. I always worried that a 3w/gallon heater might run most of the time and burnout sooner. Thanks again
That's the point, you don't want the heater constantly turning on and off. A weaker heater will potentially run longer IE: less cycling.
Depending on your house temperature, I would personally run 1-150w heater on a controller. I've always used controllers to control the heater for that "just in case" scenario.
Check on eBay or reef forums. From time to time you can find deals and used controllers for super cheap.
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-75g : All male Peacock / Hap / Mbuna tank
2262 w/ Hydor ETH200 / RKL controller
PREVIOUS TANKS
-55g : Mbuna tank
FX5 w/ Hydor ETH200
-125g : All male Peacock / Hap / Mbuna tank
FX5 w/ Hydor ETH300 / RKL controller
2262 w/ Hydor ETH200 / RKL controller
PREVIOUS TANKS
-55g : Mbuna tank
FX5 w/ Hydor ETH200
-125g : All male Peacock / Hap / Mbuna tank
FX5 w/ Hydor ETH300 / RKL controller
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Sub-Mariner - Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:25 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
Jread002 wrote:I've beenlooking into controllers lately also. I've read slot of reviews on inkbirds. From why I've read it seems like they have had failing issues almost as frequently as a heater failing issue if not more.
My research has turned up issues just like you mentioned. The argument that can be made for using a controller such as the Inkbird is the failures I read are the unit stopped working. In that scenario the heater gets no power and at worst the tank water stabilizes at room temperature which at least in my house won’t kill the fish as a stuck heater cooking the fish. Cost wise the Inkbird 306t is less than most quality heaters and the 308 just a tad more
- AV8TOR
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
Sub-Mariner wrote:
That's the point, you don't want the heater constantly turning on and off. A weaker heater will potentially run longer IE: less cycling.
Depending on your house temperature, I would personally run 1-150w heater on a controller. I've always used controllers to control the heater for that "just in case" scenario.
Thanks, I had not looked at it that way (less cycling).
Our house is using 71-72
- AV8TOR
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
I currently have three 55G's up and running ... no controller, Eheim heaters in all three.
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wryan - Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 10:22 pm
- Location: Northeast Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
wryan wrote:I currently have three 55G's up and running ... no controller, Eheim heaters in all three.
What wattage are they?
- AV8TOR
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Re: 55g tank- heater controller or not
AV8TOR wrote:wryan wrote:I currently have three 55G's up and running ... no controller, Eheim heaters in all three.
What wattage are they?
Good question ... I'd really have to go look.
I think at least two of them are 125w and maybe one of them is a 150w.
I'll look next time I'm downstairs.
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wryan - Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 10:22 pm
- Location: Northeast Ohio
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