Just wondering... on setting up new heaters

[Reef Pilot]

The most common failure for heaters is in the on position. And with 2 heaters you have just doubled your chances.

I have one tank with a heater, and use my Apex to catch it staying on. The other tank doesn't need a heater, and my chiller keeps the temp under control.

Both tanks have a max of 1 degree F variance, which I think is pretty good.

[Smudge]

I have 2 heaters hooked up through my Reefkeeper lite unit. The controller is set to turn on one of the heaters at 78.5 and will turn on the other if it drops to 78. The upper point on the controller is set to 81 in case of a stuck on heater. Keeps my temp solid at 79.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Smudge

I have 2 heaters hooked up through my Reefkeeper lite unit. The controller is set to turn on one of the heaters at 78.5 and will turn on the other if it drops to 78. The upper point on the controller is set to 81 in case of a stuck on heater. Keeps my temp solid at 79.

since the heaters are controlled by the controller, if you hit 81 it's because you have a controller stuck on or the room's super hot. shouldn't ever have to worry about a stuck on heater. they might fail that way but they are being used as simple on/off devices via your controller now. stuck on is ok.

[Smudge]

The point I was trying to make is with a controller you have "more redundancy". You can set the thermostat on the heaters for a max setting and the controller for a max and min setting. If either were to fail closed hopefully the other would kick out.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Smudge

The point I was trying to make is with a controller you have "more redundancy". You can set the thermostat on the heaters for a max setting and the controller for a max and min setting. If either were to fail closed hopefully the other would kick out.

Oh yes I follow you now. It would be a good idea to calibrate the heater's built-in max using the heat probe from the controller though as multiple heaters will likely not be the same and none will likely match the probe on the controller.

[Coralgurl]

Interesting thread. I check my temps almost daily, I have 2 heaters in my 180, both hooked up to my Apex controller. Noticed yesterday, my temp sitting at 76.5. I have another thermostat and checked it as well, same reading. I had turned my heaters up a few days ago, obviously 1 is not working properly at all, but they were both on. I haven't received an alarm on either heater either from the Apex.

[The Guy]

Originally Posted by Smudge

I have 2 heaters hooked up through my Reefkeeper lite unit. The controller is set to turn on one of the heaters at 78.5 and will turn on the other if it drops to 78. The upper point on the controller is set to 81 in case of a stuck on heater. Keeps my temp solid at 79.

I just ordered Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper lite: Check out the link, this thing does a lot different functions looks pretty good.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/info/400/D...+Monitors.html