Heaters for large tanks

[M.E.Milz]

I am getting ready to set up a new tank that will have a total volumn of 400g. I would assume that using multiple 300watt submersible heaters is not the right way to go, since thet are bound to go on and off at different times (due to inperfections or differences in the thermostats). What would you recommend using?

 

[john f]

Aquanetics makes large heaters called "fireplug"

They should do what you need.

I'm lucky and live in florida. No heaters needed

John

 

[lawndoctor]

Check out their web site (aquanetics.com). The fireplug does look like a great unit. In addition, they make a combination heater/chiller which I think would be worth checking out. I would like to use something like that someday when I graduate to a large tank. HTH

 

[WWiley]

I have a total system volume of about 400g with large basement sumps and am using just three 300w heaters. They are holding the tem at 78. The first year I had this setup I used a fireplug it melted. It may have been two small. Keep in mind you will lose head with a fireplug its like 4 90deg's . Good luck WW

 

[Mike and Donna]

IMO, whatever you choose, you should have double the capacity you need. I have two heaters,each capable of heating the entire tank, they are set for the same temperature. If one fails, the tank will still be heated to the same temp (+/- a small calibration difference.) The single heater will just have to run longer, but it's still well within its capacity.

I rest easier when on vacation a week or two...

 

[Jeff Hood]

I am using two 350 watt Won pro titanium heaters and My temps have been stable at 78 degrees. I probably will need to add another one with the refugium on line now. Total water volume is over 800 gallons.

I will be using a temp controller to turn them on and off so they will work together that way. I am using them by them selves right now and one pretty much stays on all the time and the other turns on and off like normal. They both turn off durring the day when the lights are on. I have not seen temps over 79 degrees so far.

So far very happy with them.

I looked for the fireplug but could not find them anywhere. Where can I look at them on line?

Jeff

 

[Jeff Hood]

OOps. Did not read all the post above. Thanks for the web link

Jeff

 

[bensenvill]

you could get a couple lifeguard heater moduals and run them inline with your system. If your worried about even heating, that seems like the most logical way to address the problem.

~Terry

 

[Anonymous]

The Aquanetics "in line" Firplugs are very nice. They have an internal thermostat, but I run mine off of a dual temp controller that also runs my chiller.

They are BIG... you need some room for them. This is a 1000w version... 7" X 16".

 

[Anonymous]

I'd consider myself lucky to have a tank that big, not to mention a tank that needed to be heated rather than cooled.

But I have to confess that I don't understand why multiple small heaters isn't better. If one malfunctions, it is much less able to cook the fishies. Also, if you are worried about the temperature dropping too much at night (mine goes from 82F to 79F with no ill effects), a small heater will be able to maintain the temperature much more easily than it will be able to crank it up to that temperature in the first place. I would be inclined to set it up with one or two standard heaters (at the most) and to see what happens for a week or two while the system cures.

HTH

 

[M.E.Milz]

Thanks to all for the input.

I don't think I want to use an in-line heater because of the potential impact on water flow (i.e., one more thing to create more head/back pressure). I also don't have the room in my stand for another large object.

One or more submersible heaters is probably my best bet, since these can be easily placed in my sump. Maybe AOTS is correct that independently controlled heaters is not really a problem. As he suggested, I can always wait and see.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

I am using two 350 watt Won pro titanium heaters

I think I saw these in one of the mailorder catalogues (That Fish Place maybe??). Do these not have a glass tube? If they don't, then they might be a better choice for my sump (which will be filled with live rock). If I remember correctly, these could also be hooked up to a common controller. If so, then that would eliminate any issue of them not working together (assuming this is even an issue).

 

[Chucker]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mike and Donna:
<strong>IMO, whatever you choose, you should have double the capacity you need. I have two heaters,each capable of heating the entire tank, they are set for the same temperature. If one fails, the tank will still be heated to the same temp (+/- a small calibration difference.) The single heater will just have to run longer, but it's still well within its capacity.

I rest easier when on vacation a week or two...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Personally, I'd go the other route.... I'd rather have a pair undersized heaters than ones that will do the whole system by themselves. If either one of your heaters fails in the "ON" position, you risk cooking your tank. By using two heaters that are undersized, if one fails, you won't end up having a 95 degree tank while you're away.

 

[davelin315]

Hey Mike, you could always try a dual system that incorporates 1 or 2 heaters hooked up to a controller opposite a chiller that are set to a very high temperature so they're always on and then run a separate one that is set to a temperature in between where your chiller turns on and where your heaters turn on. I would think this would give you a backup should your controller fail or a probe is damaged. Or, you could always just lower your lights a bit on your canopy or turn off a fan and rely on your lighting system to keep the temperature up and use a chiller or fan system to keep the temperature from getting too high.

 

[eddi]

I have a 360 gallon tank and all I have is a 350W titanium heater. I live outside Washington DC and granted, this winter has not been very cold but I also have not run my central heat much either. My temperature has not dropped below 78 degrees.

When I set up my tank I asked for a lot of opinions as well and they ranged from 2 to 6 heaters of varying sizes. I decided to start with a large one, monitor the water temp and change accordingly. I have not so far.

By the way, titanium heater do not have a glass tube.


Eddi