Habitat - Indoor :: Water Heater cycle time

[Racer_X_123]

I have a 40 gallon tank filled with 30 gallons of water and a 50 watt heater that i got for free with the tank.

When i watch the heater to try to figure out how long the heater is running, It stays on for 3 minutes and then off for 3 minutes.

My question is if I get a 150 watt heater, thats about 5 watts/gal, will that cycle time be cut down?

I don't really want it to be running that much and i dont think it should because right now the ambient temperature is around 75 avg.

[grey goose]

I had basically the same setup long ago, but I used a 100W heater. What is the heater set at? If the air temps are at 75F, it should hardly be going on at all, if you have it set for 76F. Does the room have AC? Is it blowing on the tank?

[Racer_X_123]

yes it has AC, but the vent is at the opposite side of the room and pointed a different direction.

I am just wondering if the water is cooling that fast that the heater needs to come on every 3 minutes, or does it have to do with the fact that it is a small heater?

[marisa]

A small heater like yours will have to work harder to maintain a constant temp, so I think it would have to come on more often, especially if you have it set at a higher temp than the room is.

What's the ambient air temp of the room, what do you have the heater set for?

[Racer_X_123]

right now the room is like 72 and the water temp is 78. The heater is set to 78 so it is up to temperature.

I bought a 150 watt heater, I just want to know if i put that in there will not cycle as much.

I want to save as much on my electric bill as i can and as it stands now i am spending $.06 a day running the heater ($22 a year)

[marisa]

It's still going to have to work a bit harder to keep the water temp at 78F when the room is that cool. How big is your turtle?

If you want to save $ on electricity, set the AC higher. The heat won't have to work as hard either.

[mikee]

I have a different take on this water heater business. First of all, one heater does not work harder than another; one just may stay on longer. If the heater is cutting on and off too much it is the thermostat that may be a problem. The cut on and cut off settings may be too close. As long at the temp is where you want it I would not worry about it. You should have a spare in case this one fails. I would much rather have one that is a little smaller and stayed on longer than one that is too large. The 50 watt seems about what you need.