Oversize heater

[nathenvan]

Is it bad to use a heater that is way over rated for your tank size?

[on the spot]

I don't see how it could be.

[125mph]

No. It just means the heater will do less work to maintain your tank's temp. The issue though, is size. Usually more wattage means longer or wider and may not fit your tank.

[Vinny Kreyling]

One comes to mind - If it ever fails it will cook the tank!
Better to be small & use 2, than big on this one.

[DoubleM 10]

yes cause if the heater is stuck on it will cook the tank.

[Woodstock]

One comes to mind - If it ever fails it will cook the tank!
Better to be small & use 2, than big on this one.

I have to agree here!
better to have two small heaters than one big,
but even then I don't trust heaters by themselves to turn off.
I will always use another temp controller to cut power to them.

[James77]

A tank will need a certain amount of watts to keep it at a temp....whether it is a 100 watt heater on for 5 hours or a 500 watt heater on for an hour. Go with a heater that keeps your tank stable, and takes a while to heat your tank. As others have said, if anything goes wrong and it sticks on, you will have more time before disaster if the tank is only getting heated very slowly.

[jmski333]

One comes to mind - If it ever fails it will cook the tank!
Better to be small & use 2, than big on this one.

I agree. if you have a sump and dont have a controller then using multiple small heaters its much safer in case of one of them giving out. if one large one gives out you got problems.

[snorvich]

Is it bad to use a heater that is way over rated for your tank size?

Be sure and run any heater on a Ranco controller or equivalent, especially if you are using an oversized one.

[nathenvan]

Great info. thanks all!!!!