Titanium Heater Selection

spike78 · 07/25/2007, 08:40 PM

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a heating system for my new 200 bowfront. I understand that the recommendation is 5W per gallon and to run dual heaters. Does this mean I should go with dual 1000W heaters or dual 500W heaters?

Thanks,

Steve

tmz · 07/25/2007, 09:04 PM

It means dual 500s but you culd go with 4 250s or whatever combination works. Dual heaters are recomended in case one fails. If it fails off you will have some heat. If it sticks on you will have more time to react before your tank is cooked.

chris31 · 07/25/2007, 09:53 PM

do dual 500

szwab · 07/26/2007, 07:38 AM

as mentioned, ideally you don't want your needed wattage in one heater in case it fails. I would reccomend at least 2 if not more. Also keep in mind that lights, pumps atc all add heat to your tank so depending on the setup you could possibly cut that 1000 watts down a bit.

Also might want tolook into a quality controller. Typically the thermostats that come with heaters are not very reliable and have a decent failure rate. The controller would provide a nother layer of redundancy.

tmz · 07/26/2007, 11:19 AM

szwab, Is there a paricular controller you are comfortable recommending?
Tom

rsw686 · 07/26/2007, 11:51 AM

You don't need 5 watts per gallon unless your house is freezing. My tank is in a room thats 74 degrees. I have a 200 watt heater on my 90gal tank. It rarely turns on and when it does its only at night. Viewing the logs on my AC Jr the tank is always within or above the range I have the heater set to come on at (79.5 - 80). During the day my tank is constantly 80 - 80.5 which is from the lights and pumps heating the water.

I would go with 3-5 watts per gallon. Three 250 watt heaters should be sufficient. A controller would be a good idea. My heater alone was never very accurate. With the controller its right on the mark.

szwab · 07/26/2007, 06:58 PM

Tom,
I personally use an Aquacontroller III. Before i used an aqualogic controller. both keep very accurate temps.

skriz · 07/26/2007, 10:27 PM

dont buy Finnex. They are absolutely garbage and the U.S. rep is worthless.

But to answer your original q, go with 2 heaters. I only had one, and when it went out, i had nothing!

You may also not need as much as you think. Lights and pumps will heat the tank quite a bit. Also, the ambient temp in your house makes a huge impact. My tank barely fluctuates, and I hardly ever see the heater on!

szwab · 07/26/2007, 10:31 PM

you will find horror stories on pretty much any heater out there. they are all made rather cheaply. I have a finnex with no problems, but bought just the tube no thermostat since I have a controller.

07/25/2007, 08:40 PM	#1
spike78 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 420	Titanium Heater Selection Hey Everyone, I'm looking to purchase a heating system for my new 200 bowfront. I understand that the recommendation is 5W per gallon and to run dual heaters. Does this mean I should go with dual 1000W heaters or dual 500W heaters? Thanks, Steve

07/25/2007, 09:04 PM	#2
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	It means dual 500s but you culd go with 4 250s or whatever combination works. Dual heaters are recomended in case one fails. If it fails off you will have some heat. If it sticks on you will have more time to react before your tank is cooked. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

07/26/2007, 07:38 AM	#4
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	as mentioned, ideally you don't want your needed wattage in one heater in case it fails. I would reccomend at least 2 if not more. Also keep in mind that lights, pumps atc all add heat to your tank so depending on the setup you could possibly cut that 1000 watts down a bit. Also might want tolook into a quality controller. Typically the thermostats that come with heaters are not very reliable and have a decent failure rate. The controller would provide a nother layer of redundancy. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

07/26/2007, 11:19 AM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	szwab, Is there a paricular controller you are comfortable recommending? Tom __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

07/26/2007, 11:51 AM	#6
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	You don't need 5 watts per gallon unless your house is freezing. My tank is in a room thats 74 degrees. I have a 200 watt heater on my 90gal tank. It rarely turns on and when it does its only at night. Viewing the logs on my AC Jr the tank is always within or above the range I have the heater set to come on at (79.5 - 80). During the day my tank is constantly 80 - 80.5 which is from the lights and pumps heating the water. I would go with 3-5 watts per gallon. Three 250 watt heaters should be sufficient. A controller would be a good idea. My heater alone was never very accurate. With the controller its right on the mark. __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

07/25/2007, 09:53 PM	#3
chris31 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long island NY Posts: 928	do dual 500

07/26/2007, 06:58 PM	#7
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	Tom, I personally use an Aquacontroller III. Before i used an aqualogic controller. both keep very accurate temps. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

07/26/2007, 10:27 PM	#8
skriz Moved On Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 502	dont buy Finnex. They are absolutely garbage and the U.S. rep is worthless. But to answer your original q, go with 2 heaters. I only had one, and when it went out, i had nothing! You may also not need as much as you think. Lights and pumps will heat the tank quite a bit. Also, the ambient temp in your house makes a huge impact. My tank barely fluctuates, and I hardly ever see the heater on!

07/26/2007, 10:31 PM	#9
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	you will find horror stories on pretty much any heater out there. they are all made rather cheaply. I have a finnex with no problems, but bought just the tube no thermostat since I have a controller. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex