HELP! heater questions

the heater for my 65g just went out. . .its too late to run to the store. all i have is a spare 50watt and it says max 14 g! what will happen if i put this heater in the 65 for tonight?

 

Then it just won't bring up the temperature. It'll struggle to hold it, but will definitely hold it better than no heater at all. Likely, it'll just stay on all night.

 

It will probably run all night, and wont manage to generate enough heat to ever switch off

it will have a shorter life due to this excessive running time

ideal range is 5 - 7 watts per gallon so you want about 400 watts in your 65
this means the heater comes on for shorter periods, does its work more efficiently
and thus has a longer life

but in your position burning out a 50 watt heater, is exactly what I would do, as its better than nothing in situations like this

Steve

 

I'd use the heater as well. If you keep it in the sump I would suggest you keep it in you display tank. In the least it may create a warm pocket for the fish.

You can also crank up the heat in your home (turn off vents in other rooms so they do not get too hot for you and your family) ambient heat at 77 or so will help your tank and will also help your heater not run at 100% all night.

 

thanks everyone. I used the heater last night and it held the temp enough. going out to get a new one now.

 

Get a Rena Smart Heater! I LOVE mine. I run a pump through it. Flow through design and it's plastic.