Heater for large tank setup :)

[vietcu]

Will those 300w heater be enough for say 600g total water volume in the basement? You guys with the large tanks, what do you guys use?

 

[Murphs205]

not just one V ..that much water , you might need 2-3 even , depending how cold the basemen is in the winter

 

[serpentman]

Probably not even close. My current system is about 275g (150g with a basement sump) and requires 3 x 250W heaters to keep up.

On my new system, which will be entirely in the basement and should be around ~550-600g, I planning to running either 2 x 800W or 2x 1000W heating elements.

In the end, a lot depends on the average ambient temp in your basement. Mine currently runs ~65-68F year round.

 

[anaelitz]

I've got two 250's on my 120 gallons and 40 gallon sump. With that size and the expense of things vs. what can happen if the temp drops...I'd go 5 of them in case of one not working and such....

 

[bennyd]

Not trying to "thread jack" but why do you guys require so much heating? I have a 120 with 40 sump and I have ONE 300 watt heater and my tank will not go below 79 degrees if it is on..

 

[aerius007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14927786#post14927786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bennyd
Not trying to "thread jack" but why do you guys require so much heating? I have a 120 with 40 sump and I have ONE 300 watt heater and my tank will not go below 79 degrees if it is on..

+1
250w in the sump.

 

[DEERE G]

I run (2) 250 watt heating elements through my controller and (1) 250 watt Visi-Therm Stealth on it's own. I have about 220 gallons in my system, 100 of it being in the basement. I do not consider my system to be "large" but, You def. know it when (1) heater goes bad .

 

[Kreeger1]

I use 5 heaters for 700 gals.

 

[Kreeger1]

Having sets you up for failure. Heaters are the number one failure in tanks IMO. Having two 150 watt heaters is better then one 300. If one fails you won't drop nearly as bad as not having one.
Erik

 

[fishog]

I have 90 display tank and 100G sump in the basement during the winter my basement got down to around 55 deg and the upstairs was kept at 70 . It took 4 300 watters to keep up at a seting of 78deg . And I insulated the 100G sump

 

[cash03ins]

I have 3- 300 and a 250 in my frag tank for about 650 gal

 

[vietcu]

I plan on doing a semi dedicated fish room in the basement, which will have a heat vent to keep the temp around 70 in the winter. I was just curious what everyone use for heat on larger tanks. Hey Serpentman, could you kindly supply some links to those heaters that you are talking about?

 

[DEERE G]

Aqua Medic makes some big wattage heating elements.

 

[markviiisvt4]

I've got a 150 display and prolly another 200 gallons in the basement. heaters stay off during the day with the lights on, but at night it takes 3 300 watters to keep it warm.

 

[rbd0331]

I have about 200 gal total system volume in my basement (unfinished)...and use a single 300 watt to heat. But I did notice it was running continuously in the winter at night when halides were off. So I added a second 300 watt as backup to help out if temp gets below 75. Both controlled by my ACIII.

 

[mike660r]

I have 3 - 200 watt heaters on my 500ish gallon setup.

 

[serpentman]

These are the ones I am planning running. If you aren't using a temp controller or system controller (AC or RK2, etc.), the controllable ones are a little bit more.

Heating element only:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=FI-TH-0800&Category_Code=Finnexheat

w/ controller:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=FI-HC-TH0800&Category_Code=Finnexheat

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14927786#post14927786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bennyd
Not trying to "thread jack" but why do you guys require so much heating? I have a 120 with 40 sump and I have ONE 300 watt heater and my tank will not go below 79 degrees if it is on..

Its all relative to the ambient temp in the room. Keep in mind, he's talking about 600gal. Also, as others mentioned, even if its not necessary, its always a good idea to run 2 heaters to prevent overall failure. Most people don't notice their heaters aren't running until the temp drops dramatically. Better to have two as backup. Plus, they should run less.

 

[camaro5026spd]

from the sounds of it those heaters are not working out for bunch of people that bought them from that site. after reading them i don't think i would use them in my personal tank and risk losing my collection. just my opinion though

 

[serpentman]

good call, here's another option:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=FI-HC-TH0800&Category_Code=Finnexheat