Heater Question

[rogermccray]

Originally Posted by sslak

Because if the pump fails and your probe is in the sump but the heater is in the overflow, the tank will cook because the temp in the sump will never rise no matter how long the heater is on.

Temp probe should be in the display. Worst case scenario...the sump gets cooked if the return pump fails.

I don't like having the temp probe in the sump, because I'm always working down there cleaning the skimmer, doing water changes, etc. and I'm afraid it could get knocked out accidentally. Keeping it in the overflow assures that it's out of the way of all the cleaning etc.

Ah, didn't think of that. Thanks!

[benjc]

Keep the heater in the sump, but use 2 heaters that are half the power of what you need so that if one goes crazy it can't overheat the tank too much. If you are going to use a controller; keep the temp probe upstream of the heaters.

[globe]

So i could run two 125w jagers in my 75g with 20g sump? I have 2 200w jagers in my DT right now as they are way to long to fit in my sump. I could possibly squeeze two 150w but it would be close.

[dlp211]

Originally Posted by globe

So i could run two 125w jagers in my 75g with 20g sump? I have 2 200w jagers in my DT right now as they are way to long to fit in my sump. I could possibly squeeze two 150w but it would be close.

Yes, you could run 3 x 125w or 4 x 100w if you wanted to. I run 3x300 heaters for my 180. If 2 fail, I still actually have enough power to keep my water heated.

When it comes to heaters, I don't trust them. I prefer to have many smaller heaters with redundant controls built into the system. I have tried multiple brands and ultimately, they all fail some way or another.

[rogermccray]

I have two 400 watt and one 200 watt heater in my 215, and I use a temp controller for them. This temp controller:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23735

At some point I will get a controller with a temp probe as a redundant setup.

[aldiaz33]

Originally Posted by rogermccray

I have two 400 watt and one 200 watt heater in my 215, and I use a temp controller for them. This temp controller:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23735

At some point I will get a controller with a temp probe as a redundant setup.

Per the description on Drs. Foster Smith, that controller has a 700 watt max capacity. You are controlling 1,000 watts of heaters with it?

[rogermccray]

Turns out I was controlling 3 - 400 watt heaters, until I spilled a lot of water on it doing a water change and fried it.

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[aldiaz33]

Originally Posted by rogermccray

Turns out I was controlling 3 - 400 watt heaters, until I spilled a lot of water on it doing a water change and fried it.

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Wow. Did you ever notice the wires running hot? I realize I could have come across as flippant in my initial post. I apologize if I came across that way.

Manufacturers are usually pretty conservative with the max rating on things like this, but I don't know that I would have been comfortable running that many watts on that controller. If you are looking for a replacement, I would look at some of the Ranco Controllers. I believe they can handle 15 amps (1800 Watts).

[rogermccray]

I never noticed them running hot, but never checked. With that much heat they didn't run long

No need to apologize, if anything I was being flippant because I am still ticked I fried it. I actually didn't know their was a limit on the one I got. I will have to check out the one you suggested, but I am debating on just getting a Reefkeeper Lite or Apex Jr.

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