Heater in sump or tank

brayden · 10/13/2008, 04:35 PM

I have always put my heater in my tank. I would like to not show it in the display tank. My system is a 135 gal tank with a 30 gal sump. My heater is an 800W titanium hooked up to my aquacontroller. My return pump pushes about 600 gph. Do you think I could place it in my sump and keep the temp steady? Also my sump is just a modified rubbermaid tub. Do you think the heater would melt it?

Rae C. · 10/13/2008, 04:50 PM

I have nowhere near the size system you have, but I just moved my heater to the fuge and it seems to have stabilized the tank temps. It's sure is nice to have it out of sight too! ANother thought is to put it behind the rockwork in the DT...

WaterKeeper · 10/13/2008, 05:39 PM

On a big tank like yours I like to use at least 2 heaters. Two in the sump and one, set slightly lower, in the display. They can be as small as 150 watts apiece as a large tank holds heat very well.

SNAKEMANVET · 10/13/2008, 05:55 PM

I agree about haveing two heaters,my 120 has 2 400 watt heaters.They are both set at 82 and the tank is running about 77 to 78.

WaterKeeper · 10/13/2008, 06:04 PM

Actually, on a large tank, one doesn't need huge heaters. It takes forever for a big tank to reach temp but, after that, they hold temp really well with fairly small heaters.

Playa-1 · 10/13/2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
On a big tank like yours I like to use at least 2 heaters. Two in the sump and one, set slightly lower, in the display. They can be as small as 150 watts apiece as a large tank holds heat very well.

I agree,
There are many benefits to this method. I would add that you should also consider a temp controller as a fail-safe for the heating system. It would be a shame to allow a $20 heater to wipe out $1000s worth of livestock and many hours of work.

fatdaddy · 10/13/2008, 07:36 PM

+1 on a temp control. Heaters have a nasty habit of getting stuck in the on position as soon as the owner leaves for a long weekend or vacation. They are evil, EVIL devices.

A temp controller is cheap insurance measure, but be sure to zip tie the temp probe to make sure it doesn't accidently fall out of the tank.

brayden · 10/14/2008, 08:37 AM

I mentioned before that I control my heat with my Aquacontroller. Will this work well as a temp controller? Also, what do I do with my 800W heater?

jprince58 · 10/14/2008, 09:23 AM

I prefer getting everything out of the display that you possibly can. When practical, I like putting the heater in a section of the sump where the water level is relatively stable...like an in-sump skimmer section. I wouldn't, however, put it in a refugium to guard against overheating in the event of a pump failure. Regardless, just be sure it's in an area where it will remain under the water level. Your Aquacontroller will serve very nicely as a temp controller.

tspors · 10/14/2008, 03:48 PM

I use a 500w Titanium in my sump. I keep it near 78 tank hangs near 80. Sump is in basement water pushed up.

WaterKeeper · 10/14/2008, 06:18 PM

I still favor multiple small heaters over a large "killer" heater, Provides better control without the danger of a malfunction making boulibase of your inhabitants.

10/13/2008, 04:35 PM	#1
brayden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SanDiego Posts: 438	Heater in sump or tank I have always put my heater in my tank. I would like to not show it in the display tank. My system is a 135 gal tank with a 30 gal sump. My heater is an 800W titanium hooked up to my aquacontroller. My return pump pushes about 600 gph. Do you think I could place it in my sump and keep the temp steady? Also my sump is just a modified rubbermaid tub. Do you think the heater would melt it?

10/13/2008, 04:50 PM	#2
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	I have nowhere near the size system you have, but I just moved my heater to the fuge and it seems to have stabilized the tank temps. It's sure is nice to have it out of sight too! ANother thought is to put it behind the rockwork in the DT... __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

10/13/2008, 05:39 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	On a big tank like yours I like to use at least 2 heaters. Two in the sump and one, set slightly lower, in the display. They can be as small as 150 watts apiece as a large tank holds heat very well. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

10/13/2008, 06:04 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Actually, on a large tank, one doesn't need huge heaters. It takes forever for a big tank to reach temp but, after that, they hold temp really well with fairly small heaters. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

10/13/2008, 07:36 PM	#7
fatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast Florida Posts: 1,191	+1 on a temp control. Heaters have a nasty habit of getting stuck in the on position as soon as the owner leaves for a long weekend or vacation. They are evil, EVIL devices. A temp controller is cheap insurance measure, but be sure to zip tie the temp probe to make sure it doesn't accidently fall out of the tank. __________________ "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -- Aristotle

10/13/2008, 05:55 PM	#4
SNAKEMANVET PREMIUM MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: TRENTON Tn Posts: 4,486	I agree about haveing two heaters,my 120 has 2 400 watt heaters.They are both set at 82 and the tank is running about 77 to 78.

10/14/2008, 08:37 AM	#8
brayden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SanDiego Posts: 438	I mentioned before that I control my heat with my Aquacontroller. Will this work well as a temp controller? Also, what do I do with my 800W heater?

10/14/2008, 09:23 AM	#9
jprince58 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Jenks, OK, USA Posts: 751	I prefer getting everything out of the display that you possibly can. When practical, I like putting the heater in a section of the sump where the water level is relatively stable...like an in-sump skimmer section. I wouldn't, however, put it in a refugium to guard against overheating in the event of a pump failure. Regardless, just be sure it's in an area where it will remain under the water level. Your Aquacontroller will serve very nicely as a temp controller. __________________ 'I refuse to discount another man's opinion -- until he opens his mouth to speak.' -- Anonymous Jeff Prince Current Tank Info: 72g bow mixed reef; 40g frag

10/14/2008, 03:48 PM	#10
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	I use a 500w Titanium in my sump. I keep it near 78 tank hangs near 80. Sump is in basement water pushed up. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

10/14/2008, 06:18 PM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I still favor multiple small heaters over a large "killer" heater, Provides better control without the danger of a malfunction making boulibase of your inhabitants. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29