Heater(s) ?

[laxing22]

OK, I do not have a big tank (75 gal w/ newly added 50 gal sump), but I think this forum could help the most.

Anyhow, my sump was 15 gals and I used a 300 watt heater and it worked just fine.

After getting the new sump in, my heater will not turn off and the temp will not get above 76 (I always kept @ 82)

My LFS does not carry heater larger then 300 watts. Is there a problem using 2 heaters to heat a tank?

How do you guys (notheners esp) heat your tanks?

[Gudwyn]

Big tanks need less watts per gallon since the larger water mass tends to be more stable. And the tank actually starts changing the ambiant conditions in the room.

To answer your question, it's usually done with multiple small heaters to reduce problems with heaters sticking in the on or off position. For really large temp changes, you can use a fireplug heater that is plumbed into the pump return.

[Zephrant]

I'll second the above. Using two heaters is really best. If one sticks on, it can't raise your temp. If one dies, your temp does not fall below 76 degrees (in your case).

I use a pair of Via-Aqua Titanium 250's. After a little tweaking they both come on/off at about the same time, but one does run more than the other. For my setup, I need about 300 watts to maintain 80 degrees.

Zeph

[Nagel]

Two heaters ARE better then one. For the reasons mentioned above and redundancy. In my 75g (sumpless) I had 2 x 250w heaters. In my 540g system (300, 75, 55, 30, 30, 29g tanks and 150g sump) I have a single Won Pro 500w titanium. With my MH on I use the chiller more then the heaters anyway and hover between 79 low and 81-82 high...

PS Zeph...

I wouldnt worry bout nailing the two heaters together temp wise. I would actually deliberately set one at my lowest temp I like, and the other one a degree or so below that. Less electrical usage, and if one can't heat it up, the second kicks on...

[laxing22]

Originally posted by Zephrant
For my setup, I need about 300 watts to maintain 80 degrees.
Zeph

Wow 300 watts for 120 gals? That is about what my gallage (is that really a word?) is with the 50 gal sum sense it is not quite at the top and I am useing a 300 watt heater. Should the second heater be a 250 or even lower? It's a basement tank.

[Zephrant]

200+ gallons in the system- 120+90.

It is located in an unheated basement, with open tops on the sump and tank.

On the plus side, I don't need a chiller yet.

Nagel- You are right, I just took it as some kind of a challenge to see if I could get them both dialed in exactly. :)

Zeph

[jorge]

Well, now I am worried. I run 3 300w heaters on my tank w about 300g total volume and when it gets cold they struggle to keep 79.... I guess I should insulate the sump and refugium in the basement.

Jorge

[rsman]

I think its pro-heat or who ever makes them makes a 1000 watt heater :) but darn $$$$$

[laxing22]

Originally posted by jorge
Well, now I am worried. I run 3 300w heaters on my tank w about 300g total volume and when it gets cold they struggle to keep 79.... I guess I should insulate the sump and refugium in the basement.

Jorge

I didn't think that was ever an issue in Georgia. Try keeping tanks warm in Upstate NY in January. Not to mention the 3 gals a day I loose in evap thanks to the 0 humidity from the furnace

[dgasmd]

Like said above, redundancy is best. I also struggle with keeping warm in the winter.
My system is 560 gal total and last year I tried keeping the temp at 80F. The 1800 watt of heaters were on 24/7 in addition of 12 h/d of 1600 watt of MH. This year I am trying to keep it at 78F and they do stay on much less despite the 8-10 g/d evaporation.

[Ken Sellick]

Anyone using temp controllers and multiple heaters?

[jorge]

I am using a Ranco Electronic Temperature controller. The dual stage model to control heaters and the sump fan.

Jorge

[laxing22]

Should a heater be placed in a low or high flow area? I have a 300 watt next to the pump in the sump and a 100 watt at the dump out from the overflow. (long 50 gal Rubbermaid sump pump and dump @ opposite ends)