Bad Heaters?

Matt0676 · 02/22/2010, 07:46 AM

I just started up my new 180g tank but the temperature isn't rising. I have a 200w and a 300w heater in the sump. However, only the 200w is showing a light.

Do you think that both heaters are bad? Shouldn't the 200w raise the temp just a little?

The tank is currently 69 degrees and both heaters are set to 78. I even cranked them up to 89 just to see if it would warm the water....no luck at all.

Thoughts?

iap · 02/22/2010, 07:51 AM

Well when you take them out of the water and hold them in your hand do they burn you? If they get hot in your hand they are working. May just take a while to heat the water.

Matt0676 · 02/22/2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iap

Well when you take them out of the water and hold them in your hand do they burn you? If they get hot in your hand they are working. May just take a while to heat the water.

No, they are cold as ice in my hand. This is after about 12 hours of being turned on.

sedor · 02/22/2010, 07:55 AM

Sounds like they aren't working and the water has just adjusted to your homes air temp. I would get a couple new heaters ASAP as a temp of 69 is not good for really any tropical species of fish or coral.

agreeive?fish · 02/22/2010, 07:55 AM

try both heaters in a seperate 5g bucket of water... if the 300w is not showing a light it may not be working and the 200w is not capable of heating a 180g tank on its own in any reasonable amount of time infact i doubt the 200w could even maintain a temp on its own in a 180g...

disclaimer this is only a personal opinion

edited to add... opps the cold as ice in hand post was posted while i was typing...time to go heater shopping

Matt0676 · 02/22/2010, 07:58 AM

Thanks everyone. Luckily I just set the tank up yesterday so there is no livestock in it. I would like to get two heaters just in case one fails. What size will I need to sustain the temps in a 180?

Chiefsurfer · 02/22/2010, 08:53 AM

I have heard roughly 3 watts per gallon. If you didvide that among 2 heaters, I would say shoot for 4-5 watts per gallon. More stability, and they still cant overheat the tank in case of a failure. I would shoot for 2 300's, or near to that.

02/22/2010, 07:46 AM	#1
Matt0676 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 296	Bad Heaters? I just started up my new 180g tank but the temperature isn't rising. I have a 200w and a 300w heater in the sump. However, only the 200w is showing a light. Do you think that both heaters are bad? Shouldn't the 200w raise the temp just a little? The tank is currently 69 degrees and both heaters are set to 78. I even cranked them up to 89 just to see if it would warm the water....no luck at all. Thoughts?

02/22/2010, 07:55 AM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Sounds like they aren't working and the water has just adjusted to your homes air temp. I would get a couple new heaters ASAP as a temp of 69 is not good for really any tropical species of fish or coral. __________________ Ryan

02/22/2010, 08:53 AM	#7
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I have heard roughly 3 watts per gallon. If you didvide that among 2 heaters, I would say shoot for 4-5 watts per gallon. More stability, and they still cant overheat the tank in case of a failure. I would shoot for 2 300's, or near to that. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/22/2010, 07:51 AM	#2
iap BOSS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 691	Well when you take them out of the water and hold them in your hand do they burn you? If they get hot in your hand they are working. May just take a while to heat the water.

02/22/2010, 07:55 AM	#5
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	try both heaters in a seperate 5g bucket of water... if the 300w is not showing a light it may not be working and the 200w is not capable of heating a 180g tank on its own in any reasonable amount of time infact i doubt the 200w could even maintain a temp on its own in a 180g... disclaimer this is only a personal opinion edited to add... opps the cold as ice in hand post was posted while i was typing...time to go heater shopping

02/22/2010, 07:58 AM	#6
Matt0676 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 296	Thanks everyone. Luckily I just set the tank up yesterday so there is no livestock in it. I would like to get two heaters just in case one fails. What size will I need to sustain the temps in a 180?