Difference in 50W and 100W heater?

I read that a 100W heater has a set temp at 78° just like my 50W heater does.. wouldn't the temp be higher if the wattage is higher? Very confused on the different watt if it's made with the same set temp... maybe I'm wrong?

I'm trying to get my temp in the 80s but apparently different watt heaters have the same set temp? From what I've seen online , they all have a set temp .

How can I raise my temp for my betta ?

Thanks

 

If you want your temp in the 80s you have to buy a heater that is set to 80, or an adjustable,

 

If you want your temp in the 80s you have to buy a heater that is set to 80, or an adjustable,

So all non adjustable ones are set at 78° no matter how high the watt is basically? That stinks :/

 

My heaters all have adjustable temperature settings but in any case there's no relationship between wattage and any set temperature. Higher wattage just means more power to heat larger volumes of water. Regardless of the wattage the thermostat will turn the heater off when the water temperature reaches the set temperature and turn it back on again when the water temperature drops below the set temperature.

 

The size of your aquarium determines the wattage you require to heat your tank. Every heater has a chart that shows what size tank it's rated for. Like a 50 watt heater would not be able to heat a 55 gallon tank because its not powerful enough to warm up all the water in the tank. However if you put 2 50 watt heater in a 55 gallon tank it might be enough, or just 1 100 watt would do the same. Hope I didn't confuse you. Good luck. I can recommend Neo Therms and Aqueon Pros with blue adjustment dials not the reds.

 

The size of the tank; the ambient temp of your room and the target temp should be taken into consideration to the size of heater required. A heater has to work a lot harder if you room is 10 and your target temp is 80; as oppose to if your room is 79 and your target temp is 80...

The size of your aquarium determines the wattage you require to heat your tank. Every heater has a chart that shows what size tank it's rated for. Like a 50 watt heater would not be able to heat a 55 gallon tank because its not powerful enough to warm up all the water in the tank. However if you put 2 50 watt heater in a 55 gallon tank it might be enough, or just 1 100 watt would do the same. Hope I didn't confuse you. Good luck. I can recommend Neo Therms and Aqueon Pros with blue adjustment dials not the reds.

 

So all non adjustable ones are set at 78° no matter how high the watt is basically? That stinks :/

yes, why don’t you get an adjustable?

 

yes, why don’t you get an adjustable?

Looks like I might gave too! Always good to have an extra though

 

In very simple terms, wattage is the measure of power the heater can produce. A 50w heater will only be able to heat so many gallons of water to a specific temperature. A 100w heater can draw twice the power as a 50w and therefore it can heat more water to the specific temp, or it can heat the same amount of water faster.

Think of it in terms of a car engine. A 4 cylinder and an 8 cylinder can both go 60mph, but an 8 cyl can get to 60 faster. A 4 cyl may only be able to go 90mph where an 8 cyl may have no problems going 120mph. Climbing a steep grade, the 4 cyl may not be able to maintain 60mph where the 8 cyl will do it with power to spare.

Back to heaters. Some are factory set to 78F and can't be changed. Others are adjustable and can be set to a specific temp of your choosing. A 50w heater may only be able to raise the water temp 10 degrees above the ambient room temp. A 100w may be able to raise the water temp 15 or 20 degrees above ambient room temp. During the winter months we keep our house on the cold side, 60-65F. A 50w heater can't keep my water at 78 where I want it. A 100w heater keeps it at 78 with no problem.

Final note...a 100w light bulb is much brighter than a 50, and is hotter to the touch too.

Does that help?