Hiding heater in sump - which chamber?

potatocouch · 09/18/2014, 06:27 PM

The only chambers where water level got quite high are:
* The chamber where the overflow goes in.
* The chamber where the protein skimmer is.

The other chambers where the return pump is and the other blank chamber are decreased in water level.

Which from these 2 chambers above (overflow chamber | protein skimmer chamber) would be the perfect spot for the heater?

The problem with my sump is that I can only position the heater upward vertically so I need a short heater approx. 12 inch max. Do you have any suggestion/recommendation for which heater I should purchase? Oh btw, it's 50g tank.

cloak · 09/18/2014, 06:42 PM

I don't think it really matters where you put the heater. It's basically all one body of water.

potatocouch · 09/18/2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

I don't think it really matters where you put the heater. It's basically all one body of water.

Understand that ... but I saw somewhere in the forum, they said not to put the heater close to the skimmer. not sure if that is true?

i think they were 2 reasons for it: it might melt the body of the skimmer and also it might give a false measurement for the heater; and what will happen is, it will keep heating the water and you left with overheated water.

Again, I don't know the fact of that so wanting to get some feedback from all

They also said to put heater in where the high flow is happening?

gbru316 · 09/19/2014, 05:05 AM

I prefer to keep heaters in the display.

If/when your return pump fails (and Murphy will make sure it happens when you're away), you won't have to worry about falling temps.

whosurcaddie · 09/19/2014, 05:43 AM

If you have overflows you can stick it in there. I have dual overflows and have a 400 watt heater in each one.

potatocouch · 09/19/2014, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

If you have overflows you can stick it in there. I have dual overflows and have a 400 watt heater in each one.

You mean the overflows chamber, hey?

ca1ore · 09/19/2014, 05:55 AM

I think the key is to not place the heater where it could potentially be exposed to the air. Beyond that, I think the flow just about anywhere in the system ought to be sufficient to ensure even heating. I do try to keep my heaters from physically contacting the skimmer, though I doubt they'd actually melt it. Also keep in mind that it should be easily accessible - heaters are one of the more unreliable items of equipment, so I always assume I'll need to replace one sooner rather than later.

shesacharmer · 09/19/2014, 06:28 AM

I keep mine two Eheim 12" heaters in my filter socks since I check the socks frequently I also check the heaters.

whosurcaddie · 09/19/2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potatocouch

You mean the overflows chamber, hey?

Yes the overflow chambers.

ca1ore · 09/19/2014, 12:14 PM

There was a thread here on RC last year about a chap who had his heater in the overflow where it melted the standpipe, allowed the overflow to drain down, and the heater exploded cracking his tank. Extreme, certainly, but I'd not put one in an oveflow frankly.

whosurcaddie · 09/19/2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

There was a thread here on RC last year about a chap who had his heater in the overflow where it melted the standpipe, allowed the overflow to drain down, and the heater exploded cracking his tank. Extreme, certainly, but I'd not put one in an oveflow frankly.

It was most likely a titanium heater I have ehiem jagers. Titanium heaters get way hotter I could see it melting PVC but the ehiem's no way.

ca1ore · 09/20/2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

It was most likely a titanium heater I have ehiem jagers. Titanium heaters get way hotter I could see it melting PVC but the ehiem's no way.

I don't recall and, frankly, a cursory search didn't unearth the thread. I recall at the time being a little skeptical, but who knows. Sump is my preferred location for lots of reasons.

edsbeaker · 09/20/2014, 10:29 AM

I don't think it matters where in the sump you put it. Because it was out of the way, I always kept mine between the baffles.

I use two heaters, both barely enough to cause overheating of the tank. This way if one gets stuck on, chances are the temp won't get too out of hand. Also the same, if one doesn't turn on there is a back up. I keep one in my sump and one in the tanks overflow.

09/18/2014, 06:27 PM	#1
potatocouch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 201	Hiding heater in sump - which chamber? The only chambers where water level got quite high are: * The chamber where the overflow goes in. * The chamber where the protein skimmer is. The other chambers where the return pump is and the other blank chamber are decreased in water level. Which from these 2 chambers above (overflow chamber \| protein skimmer chamber) would be the perfect spot for the heater? The problem with my sump is that I can only position the heater upward vertically so I need a short heater approx. 12 inch max. Do you have any suggestion/recommendation for which heater I should purchase? Oh btw, it's 50g tank.

09/19/2014, 05:55 AM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think the key is to not place the heater where it could potentially be exposed to the air. Beyond that, I think the flow just about anywhere in the system ought to be sufficient to ensure even heating. I do try to keep my heaters from physically contacting the skimmer, though I doubt they'd actually melt it. Also keep in mind that it should be easily accessible - heaters are one of the more unreliable items of equipment, so I always assume I'll need to replace one sooner rather than later. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/19/2014, 06:28 AM	#8
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	I keep mine two Eheim 12" heaters in my filter socks since I check the socks frequently I also check the heaters. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

09/19/2014, 12:14 PM	#10
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	There was a thread here on RC last year about a chap who had his heater in the overflow where it melted the standpipe, allowed the overflow to drain down, and the heater exploded cracking his tank. Extreme, certainly, but I'd not put one in an oveflow frankly. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/20/2014, 10:29 AM	#13
edsbeaker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 857	I don't think it matters where in the sump you put it. Because it was out of the way, I always kept mine between the baffles. I use two heaters, both barely enough to cause overheating of the tank. This way if one gets stuck on, chances are the temp won't get too out of hand. Also the same, if one doesn't turn on there is a back up. I keep one in my sump and one in the tanks overflow. __________________ Marilyn RedSea Max-E 260

09/18/2014, 06:42 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I don't think it really matters where you put the heater. It's basically all one body of water.

09/19/2014, 05:05 AM	#4
gbru316 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 1,720	I prefer to keep heaters in the display. If/when your return pump fails (and Murphy will make sure it happens when you're away), you won't have to worry about falling temps.

09/19/2014, 05:43 AM	#5
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	If you have overflows you can stick it in there. I have dual overflows and have a 400 watt heater in each one.