Heater Replacement

[cincyjim]

I have two 200w heaters in the return section of the sump and the temperature probe is in the middle section of the sump. Both heaters are controlled by the Apex.

 

[mcgyvr]

I have two 200w heaters in the return section of the sump and the temperature probe is in the middle section of the sump. Both heaters are controlled by the Apex.

I personally will always recommend that the probe be in the same section as the heaters but as far away as possible..
In the event that your return pump fails your sensor won't read the water temperature correctly..
But you are likely just fine assuming you have also set the heaters temp sensor to just slightly above desired water temp.. That will prevent them from just cooking the water in the return section should your pump be off..

 

[cincyjim]

I see what you are saying and actually it never had occurred to me that it could play out that way. I'll have to relook at this for sure. Thanks for the thought!

 

[crabbydan]

All great info thanks.

Part of the original question was missed. What wattage do you guys go with for a 105 gallon tank?

Do you have a set formula or like one comment said just used what the manufacturer recommends then divide by 2 for redundancy.

Also I love the inkbird set up since i am too poor for a controller yet.

I ask because each company seems to recommend a different wattage?

 

[mcgyvr]

All great info thanks.

Part of the original question was missed. What wattage do you guys go with for a 105 gallon tank?

Do you have a set formula or like one comment said just used what the manufacturer recommends then divide by 2 for redundancy.

I gave my answer to that in post #4

I always take the amount of water times 3 is sufficient for no more than a 8-10 deg F difference from desired tank to ambient (meaning if you want your tank at 80F then the room temperature cannot be lower than 70F or you need more wattage)

So with a 105g tank you want a min of about 300 watts.. (2 x 150W heaters)
I would go with 2 x 200W IMO if you are anywhere near the 10 deg F temp difference..
I'm using 2 x 200W right now on ~120 gallons and its working just fine..

 

[cincyjim]

+1. I'm using two 200w heaters on my 150g tank. They come on at 76.4 and go off at 77.5 and that takes about an 1 hour 15 minutes to heat the water back up. So I think Mcgyvr's plan is pretty solid for you.

 

[Arcar]

So for my 90g tank should I do 2-150w or 2-200w? Also my sump/reg might not fit these large 200w ones..

 

[WVfishguy]

Over the last 40 years, I have lost more fish to "stuck-on" heaters than all other reasons combined. I've spoken to other long-term aquarists who say the same. And I've used many, many brands, pricey titanium heaters being among the worst.

 

[mako61]

Over the last 40 years, I have lost more fish to "stuck-on" heaters than all other reasons combined. I've spoken to other long-term aquarists who say the same. And I've used many, many brands, pricey titanium heaters being among the worst.

This is why I have apex turn off my heaters if the temp gets too high. If not apex I would have some sore of backup.

 

[RobZilla04]

So for my 90g tank should I do 2-150w or 2-200w? Also my sump/reg might not fit these large 200w ones..

2 x 200w

Ive got 2 x 300w on my 90. You can lay them on an angle to submerse to the top. Just dont place the entire unit in the water.

You may be able to get by with the 150w but again if one fails now you're under sized for a while.