Heater Question

djslater · 05/15/2010, 07:43 PM

When purchasing a heater, should you look for a heater rated for the entire tank size, or the sump?

For example, if you have a 90 gallon tank, and a 30 gallon sump, should you purchase a heater rated to heat the 90 gallons, or 30 since it will be housed in the sump tank below and too much heat in such a small tank could do damage?

Or, should you purchase a heater rated for the entire 120 gallons of water flowing through the system??????

Hope I got some juices flowing in everyone's brains!!

drillsar · 05/15/2010, 07:45 PM

Heater should be the whole tank; anything over 75 gallons I recommend 2 heaters though since if it fails it wont cook your tank, most heaters fail on. Get reliable heaters like tronic ebo-jager, etc

Shane Hoffman · 05/15/2010, 08:08 PM

Get two heaters rated for roughly 60 gallons each. This will cover you TOTAL water volume. As mentioned above a heater rated for 60 gallons can NOT cook a tank WHEN it fails in the on position. WHEN it fails in the on position you will notice your tank running a couple few degrees hotter, that will be your clue to check your heaters. No, a heater cant hurt a tank (structurally) if its oversized.

checkx1 · 05/15/2010, 08:33 PM

x2. Two heaters rated @250

jmchzn123 · 01/31/2011, 12:22 PM

STAY AWAY FROM AQUA MEDIC / TRU TEMP AND FINNEX...ALL FAILED IN MY SETUP IN LESS THAN OR JUST AT 1 YEAR. all W/ 300 W RATED TITAINIUM PROBES.

05/15/2010, 07:43 PM	#1
djslater Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dutchess County NY Posts: 7	Heater Question When purchasing a heater, should you look for a heater rated for the entire tank size, or the sump? For example, if you have a 90 gallon tank, and a 30 gallon sump, should you purchase a heater rated to heat the 90 gallons, or 30 since it will be housed in the sump tank below and too much heat in such a small tank could do damage? Or, should you purchase a heater rated for the entire 120 gallons of water flowing through the system?????? Hope I got some juices flowing in everyone's brains!! __________________ Just starting a 90 g FOWLR with a 30g sump, Euro-Reef RS 80 skimmer, Coralife PC lighting, and an appetite for all things saltwater!!!! -Will

05/15/2010, 08:08 PM	#3
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	Get two heaters rated for roughly 60 gallons each. This will cover you TOTAL water volume. As mentioned above a heater rated for 60 gallons can NOT cook a tank WHEN it fails in the on position. WHEN it fails in the on position you will notice your tank running a couple few degrees hotter, that will be your clue to check your heaters. No, a heater cant hurt a tank (structurally) if its oversized. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

05/15/2010, 08:33 PM	#4
checkx1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tx Posts: 60	x2. Two heaters rated @250 Last edited by checkx1; 05/15/2010 at 08:42 PM.

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05/15/2010, 07:45 PM	#2
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Heater should be the whole tank; anything over 75 gallons I recommend 2 heaters though since if it fails it wont cook your tank, most heaters fail on. Get reliable heaters like tronic ebo-jager, etc

01/31/2011, 12:22 PM	#5
jmchzn123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 240	STAY AWAY FROM AQUA MEDIC / TRU TEMP AND FINNEX...ALL FAILED IN MY SETUP IN LESS THAN OR JUST AT 1 YEAR. all W/ 300 W RATED TITAINIUM PROBES.