Topic: Is it a generally good idea to use two heaters?

[AnswersinGeneSimmons]

Is it a generally good idea to use two heaters?

OK, as I am trying to fill out what I know, I wonder about this idea.  I am a fan of having redundant capacity where it is reasonable.  Even so, I could use a check on my thoughts.  Here is what I have in mind:

OK, so I have whatever tank I end up with.  It will cool down at whatever rate it does.  Past that, let's say that at 76f the heater kicks in and at 78f, it shuts off.  With two heaters, the tank warms up twice as fast.  Also, both heaters spend twice as much time switched off, so they really ought to last longer.

Heaters are (from what I am seeing on many web sites) one of the less expensive parts.  Also, I would hope that they should last for years at a time.  Even so, does my logic check out?

[LittlePuff]

Yes. Take the total wattage you need for the size tank you have and divide it in two. If one hter fails, you have the other for back up too. I never thought about them lasting longer, but that makes sense also.

[Cholly]

Plus, if one of them sticks "on" it will be less likely to overheat the tank to fish cooking. Had that happen last summer myself. I was very unhappy, it cooked some of my favorite large and expensive fish. Two of which were hand feeding.

[Essabee]

There is no way to beat Murphy's law, but yes, you could hedge the bet. You will then become more prone to things going wrong but suffer less.

[Morgrid]

Yes, the main reason to use heaters is in case one of them stays on and overheats. Make sure the total rating of the heaters added together is proper for your tank (typically 5 watts per gallon). Don't have both heaters rated for the tank or you are doubling your chance for a problem.