getting cold - check those heaters!

[pascal32]

I was doing my usual checkup on the system and couldn't believe the amount of time the heaters are on. 120 display with [basement] 40 gallon sump, 35 gallon stock frag [50 gallon rubbermaid running shallow] and 20 gallon frag - (2) 250watt (1) 200 watt

I changed the hysteresis on the RKE to .2 from .1 - I'll check the graphs again tomorrow.

Good time to watch those tank temperatures at night, especially for basement sumps!

 

[toddmh]

yep watch those heaters..I even went so far as putting another backup heater in the sump set to 75..

Also keep an eye on evaporation rates in the winter months..

 

[Hiltonc57]

oh wow! wish i had a controller to see what mine did at night

 

[titoav15]

Good points, thanks for bringing this out!

 

[naprestsleep]

So anyone have other methods of heating their tank other than electric heaters or cranking your room to 80? My tank runs 300-500w constantly over the winter, due to the cool room its in and the sump in the basement. I have 2" pink foam around the sump now and tried a cover on my refug, but it didn't work well with my light.

 

[jacksonpt]

Yep, I keep my house at 60 when my kids are at their mom's, which always puts more stress on my heater. About a month ago I replaced my old glass heater with a bigger ti one.

 

[naprestsleep]

I up'd the temp on our furnace this year a little, as last year gas bill was not bad but electric was. Going to see if it helps lower the electric at all.

 

[davidpesce]

I find that heater placement is the key. Find the coldest part of your tank and place your sensor there. I have my ti sensor right by the overflow drain in my sump. The downtube runs closest to the outside wall and is the coldest part.

After that my temp has been extremely stable all throughout the tank.