Can I run only one heater?

PirateLove · 04/10/2016, 02:47 AM

Hi RC. I have been using two heaters, one 100-150w and a 50w but I want to get rid of extra cords in my sump. Will running one heater be too hard on it, with it turning off and on/running nonstop? Also can I run a 200w?
Thanks!

bundybear1981 · 04/10/2016, 03:30 AM

One of the main reasons for using 2 heaters is if one fails the remaining heater can help keep some temperature in the water, or if one sticks on its usually not enough to heat the water too much (although a controller is a good idea for a stick-on failure). 2 heater are generally more efficient at heating the water too, less load per heater (unless they are undersized)

It is possible to run a single heater however.

serbusfish · 04/10/2016, 04:23 AM

Ive always run one heater, I have a 300w Ehiem Jager on my 75 gallon, does a fine job.

snorvich · 04/10/2016, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundybear1981

One of the main reasons for using 2 heaters is if one fails the remaining heater can help keep some temperature in the water, or if one sticks on its usually not enough to heat the water too much (although a controller is a good idea for a stick-on failure). 2 heater are generally more efficient at heating the water too, less load per heater (unless they are undersized)

It is possible to run a single heater however.

What he said. Depends on your risk tolerance.

fishbox · 04/10/2016, 05:14 AM

Two cords doesn't bother me as bad as losing all my livestock

Sent from my 6045O using Tapatalk

killagoby · 04/10/2016, 06:04 AM

I've always run a single heater

thegrun · 04/10/2016, 08:34 AM

I use two or three heaters in all my tanks, for the reason stated above, when they go bad they usually stick in the on position which can quickly cook a tank killing all your livestock. Using two heaters at half the needed wattage will give you some time to spot the problem before your tank fries. Even with a controller I use two heaters.

Brieninsac · 04/10/2016, 10:25 AM

A single heater is fine if it's a premium one. Just check the tanks temp daily. The notion of two using less electricity is incorrect. These heaters simply click on at full power and off when the desired temp is reached. There is no lower draw by being split over two or more heaters.

snorvich · 04/10/2016, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieninsac

A single heater is fine if it's a premium one.

I disagree. All heaters fail, and usually in the on position. But if you can live with the consequences . . .

04/10/2016, 02:47 AM	#1
PirateLove Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 511	Can I run only one heater? Hi RC. I have been using two heaters, one 100-150w and a 50w but I want to get rid of extra cords in my sump. Will running one heater be too hard on it, with it turning off and on/running nonstop? Also can I run a 200w? Thanks! __________________ "Pirate love, is what I'm looking for. Pirate love, is what i'm wanted for." Current tank: Cad Lights 42 versa. Kessil AP700. Some Sps and Lps.

04/10/2016, 03:30 AM	#2
bundybear1981 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Posts: 685 Blog Entries: 1	One of the main reasons for using 2 heaters is if one fails the remaining heater can help keep some temperature in the water, or if one sticks on its usually not enough to heat the water too much (although a controller is a good idea for a stick-on failure). 2 heater are generally more efficient at heating the water too, less load per heater (unless they are undersized) It is possible to run a single heater however. __________________ Tank inhabitants : 2x Clownfish, 1x Blue Koran, 1x Foxface Lo, 1xCoral Beauty, 1x Blue Tang, 1x Sailfin Tang Current Tank Info: New Build : 250g (6x3x2) with 2x RW15 pumps, 2x 2200lph return pumps, Tunze ATO, Jebao Dosing Pump, AquaOne G220 Skimmer

04/10/2016, 04:23 AM	#3
serbusfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 710	Ive always run one heater, I have a 300w Ehiem Jager on my 75 gallon, does a fine job. __________________ 75 Gallon mixed Reef / Ocellaris Clownfish, Firefish, Royal Gramma, Bangaii Cardinal, Yellow Tang, Coral Beauty, Allen's Damselfish. Progress thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p

04/10/2016, 06:04 AM	#6
killagoby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, NJ Posts: 2,150	I've always run a single heater __________________ How much money did you spend on that rock again?

04/10/2016, 10:25 AM	#8
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	A single heater is fine if it's a premium one. Just check the tanks temp daily. The notion of two using less electricity is incorrect. These heaters simply click on at full power and off when the desired temp is reached. There is no lower draw by being split over two or more heaters. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

04/10/2016, 05:14 AM	#5
fishbox Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Youngstown, Ohio Posts: 358	Two cords doesn't bother me as bad as losing all my livestock Sent from my 6045O using Tapatalk

04/10/2016, 08:34 AM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I use two or three heaters in all my tanks, for the reason stated above, when they go bad they usually stick in the on position which can quickly cook a tank killing all your livestock. Using two heaters at half the needed wattage will give you some time to spot the problem before your tank fries. Even with a controller I use two heaters.