What type of heater do I get for 55 gallon saltwater?

Question

I am starting a 55 gallon saltwater aquarium. I have been told that I need 150 watt heater for this... so do I get one 150 two 75 or do I need more than that???? Please help

Answer 1

Yes you need at least 150 watt. Better get 2 x 75 and place them on either end of the tank, so that there is even distribution of heat in the water. One sided single heaters tend to make water heat uneven.

If you ask me for the best possible heaters, here are what I have bought from these guys and used sucessfully for the past few years:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_heaters__index.asp?CartId=

Answer 2

A Visi-Therm Stealth Heater. They are the best on the market. They are accurate unlike most heaters within 1 degree Fahrenheit. Also, unlike other heaters out there or the few that claim to do it a Visi-therm Stealth heater will not over heat and break if taken out of the water immediately for an emergency or you accidentally forget while cleaning the tank. Get a 200w one and heres a link from the site I bought mine from and they are a respected company:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12060&N=2004+113767

Answer 3

I would go for two 75 to 100 watt heaters. That way if one of them 'sticks' and doesn't turn off when it reaches the right temperature, it won't make the water too hot before you can notice it. You can also put them at either end of tank (unless you're putting them in a sump)

Be sure to get submersible heaters :)

Answer 4

I have two Visi-Therm Stealth heaters in my 55-gallon freshwater tank. Awesome heaters. Very accurate (you can actually set the temperature you want), and keep the water at the temperature you set them. They're very reasonably priced if you buy them online from Drs. Foster and Smith.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12060&N=2004+113767

Answer 5

just about any heater would do the job