Which Helio heater size for my aquarium?

[albie]

I have an Innovative Marine 60 gallon AIO aquarium, not yet set up. I have bought the Helio 2x200W heater for it, but somebody here suggested a smaller option - so the 2x100W - may be better for this size of tank, as 2x200W could be overkill. I am totally new to this world, so was just going off the approx guidelines on the IM website of the 2x200W being for 50-100 gallons, but if this is not the best choice, I will exchange it. They are very similar in price, so the financial aspect is not a consideration, just what is best for the aquarium. I would really appreciate any opinions before I unbox everything.

The 2x200W, which I have currently:

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[Dburr1014]

1 200w, but cut that in 1/2. So, 2 100w is a good option.
If you live in a warmer climate you can go smaller still. Like 1 50w paired with 1 100w.
There are no rules other than watts per gallon, ambient temps and how much to raise the water from it.

Edit, I see you are my neighbor, I would go with 2 100w. You might go lower wattage if you think it's overkill next time you buy.

 

[Northern Flicker]

I would personally go 2x200W - 400w is overkill, but:

1. I've found with the 2 Helios I've tried that they feel underpowered for their wattage
2. You will have a back up that can struggle but hold if one breaks down.

For comparison, I ran the Helios 100w on my IM 25 lagoon, and even with another 50w heater, it still couldn't hold temp. Meanwhile, a single 100w Eheim Jager held 80 no problem on the same tank.

My tank is in a room that gets winter drafts and also strong AC in the room, so it had it's work cut out for it.

If I am being completely honest, I would personally go with different heaters and use an inkbird. Then you get wifi notifications and can use brands I trust more than the Helios line.

 

[albie]

I would personally go 2x200W - 400w is overkill, but:

1. I've found with the 2 Helios I've tried that they feel underpowered for their wattage
2. You will have a back up that can struggle but hold if one breaks down.

For comparison, I ran the Helios 100w on my IM 25 lagoon, and even with another 50w heater, it still couldn't hold temp. Meanwhile, a single 100w Eheim Jager held 80 no problem on the same tank.

My tank is in a room that gets winter drafts and also strong AC in the room, so it had it's work cut out for it.

If I am being completely honest, I would personally go with different heaters and use an inkbird. Then you get wifi notifications and can use brands I trust more than the Helios line.

Yes, I am slightly regretting my choice of the Helio at this point, but as I just discovered there is a 25% restocking fee if I return it, I am thinking I need to just make this work for now unless there is a strong reason not to. I should have asked for advice on here before buying! But your post does make me feel a little better that at least I may have the right size!

 

[Oldreefer44]

What you have is more than you need but will work just fine. IMO, Helios, are by far, the best heaters out there and I have owned just about every brand there is.

 

[Northern Flicker]

What you have is more than you need but will work just fine. IMO, Helios, are by far, the best heaters out there and I have owned just about every brand there is.

Really?

I have honestly not had that same experience at all - I've found them overpriced and underpowered, not to mention the controller doesn't hook up to wifi.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Mine keeps my 180 at exactly 78 degrees with zero variance and sounds an alarm if there is any variance at all. That's what I want in a heater.

 

[albie]

What you have is more than you need but will work just fine. IMO, Helios, are by far, the best heaters out there and I have owned just about every brand there is.

Thank you, that is reassuring. When I first researched and purchased, it sounded like a good choice, but now I have been hearing mostly negative reviews. I guess I will stick with what I have and keep my fingers crossed as the restocking fee is rather high and no heater gets perfect reviews.

 

[Extremeengineer]

Did you stick with the 2x200W, and if so how are they? I also did the Helios, and also went large, 75g tank did 2x350W as sometimes the room temp in the winter will be 23 degrees below tank temp, so I sized based on worst case, one heater operating under those conditions, overkill, almost certainly, but that's my comfort zone.

One thing I have found strange is after my initial fill, the actual temp never moves from 78 degrees. I've tried to make it, during a large water change on the pre-inhabitant tank, I didn't heat a 20% water change, both heaters came on, and ran for a bit, but my controller showed 78 top and bottom through the whole thing. Just seems weird.