Worlds smallest reef tank help

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 01:24 PM

My buddy and me are competing to create a 1/4th gallon reef tank.but I'm not sure on how I'm going to heat that small of an aquarium, it's thin acrylic and is about 4 inches tall, would a beta heat pad work? Any ideas? I bought a ten gallon heater that's 4.5 in long and it's way to large for the tank

asudavew · 10/17/2014, 01:25 PM

I'm not sure. But how bout a face off thread between you and your buddy?
With pics, of course

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asudavew

I'm not sure. But how bout a face off thread between you and your buddy?
With pics, of course

I can certainly post mine, I'll see if I can get him to send me his progression picks too, can't start till I figure out the heating situation tho lol

toothybugs · 10/17/2014, 01:29 PM

Small incadescent reptile heater a foot away is my vote. Check the temperature with a thermometer and confirm.

A tank that small will be hard to keep at a stable temp, regardless of what your choice is. But this is interesting as I have a 1L water bottle on my desk and just looked at it a little differently.

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toothybugs

Small incadescent reptile heater a foot away is my vote. Check the temperature with a thermometer and confirm.

A tank that small will be hard to keep at a stable temp, regardless of what your choice is. But this is interesting as I have a 1L water bottle on my desk and just looked at it a little differently.

The ten gallon heater has a auto shut off, but it's just so big. A reptile heater might work, maybe. But I feel likes it would be very inconsistent

toothybugs · 10/17/2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLeoKnight

The ten gallon heater has a auto shut off, but it's just so big. A reptile heater might work, maybe. But I feel likes it would be very inconsistent

I used to keep boas and pythons and found the heating elements are very consistent. The problem you would have would be air currents - momentary would be fine, but if the room cools considerably for more than a few minutes your tank will suffer. I would suggest a small heating pad but I don't trust pads on plastic tanks. Glass, different story.

Or, design your system knowing the hazards/ limitations and opt for livestock that are more tolerant of 69-72F temps long-term.

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toothybugs

I used to keep boas and pythons and found the heating elements are very consistent. The problem you would have would be air currents - momentary would be fine, but if the room cools considerably for more than a few minutes your tank will suffer. I would suggest a small heating pad but I don't trust pads on plastic tanks. Glass, different story.

Or, design your system knowing the hazards/ limitations and opt for livestock that are more tolerant of 69-72F temps long-term.

What about if I had a thick substrate and put a beta heater inside the crushed coral, like half an inch on top and half an inch under? It says that they keep it 5-10 degrees warmer and you can put them under your sand

toothybugs · 10/17/2014, 01:46 PM

I have no experience putting a pad in the tank. If it's listed as safe to do so, try it out. One thing you could do is putting a few dabs of silicone on the pad, spread it out with a posicle stick or something, and glue a bit of sand to it to help disguise it. Put rocks right on top and eliminate some of the "thick substrate" taking up your water volume.

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toothybugs

I have no experience putting a pad in the tank. If it's listed as safe to do so, try it out. One thing you could do is putting a few dabs of silicone on the pad, spread it out with a posicle stick or something, and glue a bit of sand to it to help disguise it. Put rocks right on top and eliminate some of the "thick substrate" taking up your water volume.

That doesn't sound like a bad idea, hmm. There 7.5 watts rated for 2-5gallons, might heat it up to much...hmm

cody6766 · 10/17/2014, 01:50 PM

If you keep your house around 75, or a little warmer, you'll have no trouble without a heater. I don't run one in my little tanks, but we keep the house at 75 pretty much year round, plus or minus a couple of degrees

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 02:03 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AE2...576130&sr=8-1#

Anyone with any thoughts about this? I think this would be perfect, has an auto shut off

codyreed29 · 10/17/2014, 02:49 PM

I was in a sub gallon reef contest a few yearz back. See if you can find some heat tape put it on the bottom of the tank. Another option hydor slim heater kinda large as well though for 2.5 gallons under.

ChevyAddiction · 10/17/2014, 02:59 PM

Might just need to keep the ambient temp in the room around 75-77!!

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyreed29

I was in a sub gallon reef contest a few yearz back. See if you can find some heat tape put it on the bottom of the tank. Another option hydor slim heater kinda large as well though for 2.5 gallons under.

Where can I find one for for under 2.5 gallons

AdamD76 · 10/17/2014, 03:53 PM

[

AdamD76 · 10/17/2014, 04:05 PM

I found this on amazon.

Submersible heater for aquariums up to 1.5 gallons

slief · 10/17/2014, 04:09 PM

I think I would use an Apex to control the heat! Then you could use a heat pad or a lamp it wouldn't matter. You could also control an ATO which that thing will definitely need too.

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamD76

[

Mine will be a reef tho lol

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamD76

I found this on amazon.

Submersible heater for aquariums up to 1.5 gallons

But no auto shut off:/

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

I think I would use an Apex to control the heat! Then you could use a heat pad or a lamp it wouldn't matter. You could also control an ATO which that thing will definitely need too.

What's an ATO?:x

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 04:52 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00748...pi=SY200_QL40#

Found my solution, aquarium heat controller module and a 10w beta bowl heater. Pics and a build thread soon to come

wetWolger · 10/17/2014, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamD76

[

I don't think I could do a tank where the surface tension at the top/corners adds a significant amount of volume to the tank.

AdamD76 · 10/17/2014, 05:33 PM

It holds a full 2 tablespoons!

codyreed29 · 10/17/2014, 08:47 PM

I would suggest having the tank covered or sealed one day evap could flucuate the sailinty in 1/4 gallon alot.

JohnLeoKnight · 10/17/2014, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyreed29

I would suggest having the tank covered or sealed one day evap could flucuate the sailinty in 1/4 gallon alot.

That's a good point, didn't think about that

10/17/2014, 01:24 PM	#1
JohnLeoKnight Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 64	Worlds smallest reef tank help My buddy and me are competing to create a 1/4th gallon reef tank.but I'm not sure on how I'm going to heat that small of an aquarium, it's thin acrylic and is about 4 inches tall, would a beta heat pad work? Any ideas? I bought a ten gallon heater that's 4.5 in long and it's way to large for the tank __________________ 75g mixed reef, 29g biocube fowlr Current Tank Info: 55G Reef

10/17/2014, 01:25 PM	#2
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	I'm not sure. But how bout a face off thread between you and your buddy? With pics, of course __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

10/17/2014, 01:50 PM	#10
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	If you keep your house around 75, or a little warmer, you'll have no trouble without a heater. I don't run one in my little tanks, but we keep the house at 75 pretty much year round, plus or minus a couple of degrees __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

10/17/2014, 02:03 PM	#11
JohnLeoKnight Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 64	http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AE2...576130&sr=8-1# Anyone with any thoughts about this? I think this would be perfect, has an auto shut off __________________ 75g mixed reef, 29g biocube fowlr Current Tank Info: 55G Reef

10/17/2014, 02:49 PM	#12
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	I was in a sub gallon reef contest a few yearz back. See if you can find some heat tape put it on the bottom of the tank. Another option hydor slim heater kinda large as well though for 2.5 gallons under. __________________ 27 Rimless cube DIY lights and sump mag 5 cad lights pls 100 jeabo rw4 jeabo dp4

10/17/2014, 01:29 PM	#4
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Small incadescent reptile heater a foot away is my vote. Check the temperature with a thermometer and confirm. A tank that small will be hard to keep at a stable temp, regardless of what your choice is. But this is interesting as I have a 1L water bottle on my desk and just looked at it a little differently.

10/17/2014, 01:46 PM	#8
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	I have no experience putting a pad in the tank. If it's listed as safe to do so, try it out. One thing you could do is putting a few dabs of silicone on the pad, spread it out with a posicle stick or something, and glue a bit of sand to it to help disguise it. Put rocks right on top and eliminate some of the "thick substrate" taking up your water volume.

10/17/2014, 02:59 PM	#13
ChevyAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Delta Posts: 89	Might just need to keep the ambient temp in the room around 75-77!!

10/17/2014, 03:53 PM	#15
AdamD76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NH Posts: 74	[

10/17/2014, 04:05 PM	#16
AdamD76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NH Posts: 74	I found this on amazon. Submersible heater for aquariums up to 1.5 gallons

10/17/2014, 04:09 PM	#17
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I think I would use an Apex to control the heat! Then you could use a heat pad or a lamp it wouldn't matter. You could also control an ATO which that thing will definitely need too. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

10/17/2014, 04:52 PM	#21
JohnLeoKnight Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 64	http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00748...pi=SY200_QL40# Found my solution, aquarium heat controller module and a 10w beta bowl heater. Pics and a build thread soon to come __________________ 75g mixed reef, 29g biocube fowlr Current Tank Info: 55G Reef

10/17/2014, 05:33 PM	#23
AdamD76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NH Posts: 74	It holds a full 2 tablespoons!

10/17/2014, 08:47 PM	#24
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	I would suggest having the tank covered or sealed one day evap could flucuate the sailinty in 1/4 gallon alot. __________________ 27 Rimless cube DIY lights and sump mag 5 cad lights pls 100 jeabo rw4 jeabo dp4