heater on a timer?

[Sk8r]

Has anyone ever tried putting their heater on a timer? It just occurred to me that in some setups where there's a wide swing in temp between lights on and lights off it might be a solution: have it cut on when the lights go off.

 

[examiner]

Doesn't the thermostat accomplish this?

The only benefit I see is it would offer some protection in the event the heater malfunctioned and got stuck in the "on" position. But the best protection there is to buy a high quality heater to start with.

 

[Sk8r]

There is that...my heater thermostat is far from reliable. You have to set it 8 degrees below the desired temp, give or take 5 for phase of the moon, and I've never had a heater that was much better. I'd happily relegate it to a water change heater if I could find one that could actually be set and relied upon.

 

[Andy O]

I have used the finnex titanium heaters with controllers that premiuem aquatics sells and have been very happy with it as well as found it to be very reliable.

 

[Sk8r]

Excellent: Finnex. Titanium. Thank you both. I'd heard titanium, but never gotten a brand. I'll look for that. I'm tired of playing heater roulette. ;

 

[examiner]

If you want to be really safe and can swing a hundred bucks...pick up a Ranco dual stage temp controller somewhere like Grainger and wire it up yourself.

One stage controls my heaters, the other stage controls my fans. These things have been used in industrial applications for years, and have a great track record for reliability.

 

[doox00]

I use 2 200 watt hagen tronix heaters for my 90g w/30g. once I got it set to the desired temp it has kept my tank stable. Swings no more than a degree or less either way.

 

[Sk8r]

Good info. I think what I have is lovely for a water change heater.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I've been using Titanium for years
I also have some glass heaters that I use & have not had a problem with them

I haven't had one with a swing like you are talking about, nor would I keep it in a show tank. That's a water change only heater!