What Heater Do I Need for a 400-Litre Cichlid Tank?
Calculate the total heater wattage required for a large 400-litre cichlid tank at 28°C in a 20°C room.
How to use this tool
- Enter the water volume of your tank in litres.
- Enter the target water temperature for your fish species.
- Enter the coldest typical room temperature where the tank sits.
- Buy a heater rated at or above the recommended wattage.
Large aquariums often require multiple heaters — use this calculator to find the total wattage needed for your 400-litre setup.
Frequently asked questions
- What wattage heater do I need for a 100-litre tank?
- If your room is 20 °C and you want 26 °C (a 6 °C rise), you need about 72 W. A 100 W heater gives a comfortable safety margin.
- Should I use one large heater or two smaller ones?
- Two heaters of half the required wattage is safer: if one fails stuck-on, the second alone cannot overheat the tank. This is especially recommended for tanks over 200 litres.