Heater Question

[Reef23]

Originally Posted by mark

the best thing to do is have your heater on a controller. Can be a aquarium controller or just a dedicated heater (and fan) controller like a Ranco.

I'm using a single heater on a controller, with the heater's thermostat set a little higher than display temp as a backup for the controller's thermostat.

Sizing see here.

Thanks, I guess I should have mentioned that I will be using a reef keeper lite to control the heater. Is it better to get a heater without a thermostat or run one with a thermostat like stated above ?

[George]

Originally Posted by Reef23

Thanks, I guess I should have mentioned that I will be using a reef keeper lite to control the heater. Is it better to get a heater without a thermostat or run one with a thermostat like stated above ?

Get a couple heaters with thermostat. Control your heaters with RKL. Set the thermostat on your heaters one degree above your desired temperature. Set the temperature on your RKL to your desire one. You will have fail-over on both the heaters and the controller.

[Bblinks]

I run my 300W JAGER off my apex. never ever had an issue. Mind you the thing is hardly even on.

[Reef23]

Originally Posted by George

Get a couple heaters with thermostat. Control your heaters with RKL. Set the thermostat on your heaters one degree above your desired temperature. Set the temperature on your RKL to your desire one. You will have fail-over on both the heaters and the controller.

When you say a couple, how big are you thinking ?
2x150W ?

[reefwars]

always run more than one heater...always......same goes for powerheads imo...... in case one fails.same goes that if you can split stuff into two different breakers on the incase one was to trip you would still have a heater and powerhead on different breakers.im sure alot of people get away with one with no problems but what ifs can be the reason your tank crashes and lose everything cheers

[Reef23]

Originally Posted by reefwars

always run more than one heater...always......same goes for powerheads imo...... in case one fails.same goes that if you can split stuff into two different breakers on the incase one was to trip you would still have a heater and powerhead on different breakers.im sure alot of people get away with one with no problems but what ifs can be the reason your tank crashes and lose everything cheers

I plan on running 2, its just a matter of what size

[intarsiabox]

2x150w or 2x200w should be fine. With higher wattage the heaters can heat up the water faster in a shorter time so will be on less but the smaller wattage one take longer but use less power so it's pretty much a wash. 180g of water doesn't lose it's heat instantly so a single heater will have no problem keeping up but have a second as a back up. Your controller has a low/high temp alarm I believe. Pumps and lights and ambient temperature all add heat to the water as well.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

2x150w or 2x200w should be fine. With higher wattage the heaters can heat up the water faster in a shorter time so will be on less but the smaller wattage one take longer but use less power so it's pretty much a wash. 180g of water doesn't lose it's heat instantly so a single heater will have no problem keeping up but have a second as a back up. Your controller has a low/high temp alarm I believe.

hahah beat me too it you did lol

[Reef23]

I think 2x200w Jäger will be about perfect by the sounds of things

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Reef23

When you say a couple, how big are you thinking ?
2x150W ?

that or 2 x 200w wouldnt mater if you went bigger they would still be set to the same temp where as smaller heaters has to do alot more work to heat your tank same goes with the theory of 2 heaters one takes some of the load off the other