Help with heater and MH lights

homebrewdude · 10/27/2006, 11:57 PM

I didn't think I needed to buy a heater since I am running MH lights.
But I have noticed the tank getting colder and colder
It is 77F now and it is not winter yet.

I am a bit restrictive on sump space, so I have to watch the total length.

This for a 120gal with 30gal sump

I would assume that I don't need a heater rated for 120+gal?
Something much smaller?

Any suggestions?

scarpenter · 10/28/2006, 07:42 AM

get a 150 watt. I have your same tank, and that is what I have. I keep it at 78 degrees with MH.

frank2926 · 10/28/2006, 07:58 AM

You need a heater that will keep your temp from dropping when the lights are off. temp swing is more a problem than the actual temp. I run my tank temp at 81 in the summer so the swing is smaller. In the winter I run the tank at 79.

scarpenter · 10/28/2006, 08:32 AM

I keep my 150 watt heater on a timer to come on 1 hour and a half before the lights go off and turn off when the lights come on in the morning.

10/27/2006, 11:57 PM	#1
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	Help with heater and MH lights I didn't think I needed to buy a heater since I am running MH lights. But I have noticed the tank getting colder and colder It is 77F now and it is not winter yet. I am a bit restrictive on sump space, so I have to watch the total length. This for a 120gal with 30gal sump I would assume that I don't need a heater rated for 120+gal? Something much smaller? Any suggestions?

10/28/2006, 07:42 AM	#2
scarpenter Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 436	get a 150 watt. I have your same tank, and that is what I have. I keep it at 78 degrees with MH.

10/28/2006, 07:58 AM	#3
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	You need a heater that will keep your temp from dropping when the lights are off. temp swing is more a problem than the actual temp. I run my tank temp at 81 in the summer so the swing is smaller. In the winter I run the tank at 79.

10/28/2006, 08:32 AM	#4
scarpenter Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 436	I keep my 150 watt heater on a timer to come on 1 hour and a half before the lights go off and turn off when the lights come on in the morning.