Recomended Heater for 400 Gallon?

shaginwagon13 · 09/04/2011, 05:14 PM

I was going to buy a 1700W heater from Process Technology. Does anyone have any experience with their heaters and does anyone have a recommended style (axial or L-style)?

http://www.ptsmartone.com/SmartOneProducts.html

Agu · 09/04/2011, 06:17 PM

I have no experience with that brand of heater but have experience heating large tanks. Rather than one large capacity heater consider two or even three heaters set at increasing lower temps. Rather than depend on one heater you'll have both redundancy and a fail safe, If one heater fails at off you have a back up, if one fails at on it doesn't have enough power to quickly over heat your tank.

jeosbo · 09/04/2011, 06:28 PM

I would definately use more than one heater on there! I have not used that brand so can't speak to it's quality but can say from experience that 2 or more smaller heaters is the way to go.

trigger gta · 09/04/2011, 06:34 PM

I run 2 300 watt heaters in my system. i have a 275 main upstairs and a 220 basement sump. guessing from how often my heaters run i am thinking 1700watts is more then you will need

shaginwagon13 · 09/04/2011, 07:12 PM

Okay guys thanks for the input. With your recommendation I am going to use (3) 400 W heaters.

Do you guys know of a Temp controller like the link below that can run (3) 400 W heaters? I wanted to try and keep it as clean as possible.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ontroller.html

Thanks!!

James77 · 09/04/2011, 09:24 PM

Look into Ranco controllers, not sure of the max amps, but they are very reliable.

phillyfishguy · 09/05/2011, 05:07 AM

I think ranco is 1800 watts but not 100 percent sure. .

snorvich · 09/05/2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agu

I have no experience with that brand of heater but have experience heating large tanks. Rather than one large capacity heater consider two or even three heaters set at increasing lower temps. Rather than depend on one heater you'll have both redundancy and a fail safe, If one heater fails at off you have a back up, if one fails at on it doesn't have enough power to quickly over heat your tank.

I cannot stress the value of this advice too much. You do NOT want a humungous heater. Heaters fail and normally in the on position.

snorvich · 09/05/2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Look into Ranco controllers, not sure of the max amps, but they are very reliable.

Absolutely.

shaginwagon13 · 09/05/2011, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the input guys... I was thinking about ordering this guy:

http://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc24...ema-p-109.html

Any thoughts?

phillyfishguy · 09/05/2011, 08:21 AM

I have that one. Just make sure when you order you tell the guy you need pvc tubing 3 feet put on the temp sensor because its not made to put in the water without it .

shaginwagon13 · 09/05/2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyfishguy

I have that one. Just make sure when you order you tell the guy you need pvc tubing 3 feet put on the temp sensor because its not made to put in the water without it .

I ordered this: Thermal Well for Aquariums

http://www.etcsupply.com/thermal-wel...ing-p-150.html

Is this good for the temp sensor?

09/04/2011, 05:14 PM	#1
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Recomended Heater for 400 Gallon? I was going to buy a 1700W heater from Process Technology. Does anyone have any experience with their heaters and does anyone have a recommended style (axial or L-style)? http://www.ptsmartone.com/SmartOneProducts.html

09/04/2011, 06:17 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I have no experience with that brand of heater but have experience heating large tanks. Rather than one large capacity heater consider two or even three heaters set at increasing lower temps. Rather than depend on one heater you'll have both redundancy and a fail safe, If one heater fails at off you have a back up, if one fails at on it doesn't have enough power to quickly over heat your tank. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

09/04/2011, 07:12 PM	#5
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Okay guys thanks for the input. With your recommendation I am going to use (3) 400 W heaters. Do you guys know of a Temp controller like the link below that can run (3) 400 W heaters? I wanted to try and keep it as clean as possible. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ontroller.html Thanks!! Last edited by shaginwagon13; 09/04/2011 at 07:29 PM.

09/04/2011, 09:24 PM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Look into Ranco controllers, not sure of the max amps, but they are very reliable. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

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09/04/2011, 06:28 PM	#3
jeosbo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 67	I would definately use more than one heater on there! I have not used that brand so can't speak to it's quality but can say from experience that 2 or more smaller heaters is the way to go.

09/04/2011, 06:34 PM	#4
trigger gta Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 34	I run 2 300 watt heaters in my system. i have a 275 main upstairs and a 220 basement sump. guessing from how often my heaters run i am thinking 1700watts is more then you will need

09/05/2011, 05:07 AM	#7
phillyfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: philadelphia pa Posts: 233	I think ranco is 1800 watts but not 100 percent sure. .

09/05/2011, 07:58 AM	#10
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Thanks for the input guys... I was thinking about ordering this guy: http://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc24...ema-p-109.html Any thoughts?

09/05/2011, 08:21 AM	#11
phillyfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: philadelphia pa Posts: 233	I have that one. Just make sure when you order you tell the guy you need pvc tubing 3 feet put on the temp sensor because its not made to put in the water without it .