Heater set up help?

[Fishing4Answers]

I am working on planning out a new 30 gallon reef set up. I am working on the heater set-up and was thinking of going with a simple heater controller. To start I was thinking of going with either the Hydor Theo 50W (x2) or the Eheim Jager 50W (x2).

Now my question comes with the set up of the controller(s). Would there be any benefit to having one heater set to say 79 degrees and the other set to around 73 degrees (via the controller)? In my head this would "aid" the first heater in heating closer to the range I would like the tank to run at if conditions were cold enough that the first heater could not do the job and the temp was getting to low. It would create a system where two heaters were working to keep the temp above minimum when needed, but only the one would function during minor fluctuations.

Would I be better of just having both set to the 79 temp?

I hope this makes sense, I am bad at putting my thoughts and questions into words. The heaters will be in the main display tank as a sump is not a option at this point. It will be a sand, live rock and fish tank to start with the addition of corals later down the road a few months. Any help or other ideas is appreciated!!

 

[GimpyFin]

The Eheim jagers are pretty solid heaters. I've never used them with a controller, but standalone they keep the temp in my tanks quite stable, and I don't even use redundant heaters. I just have a good digital thermometer with high and low alarms if the temp goes out of range more than a couple degrees from the norm, I know something is up. Worst case, I have a spare to put in if there is a problem.

 

[CStrickland]

Jagers are decent, but just last month our member Bent nearly crashed his tank when one failed and melted. It was bad. Ranco controllers are highly recommended. I like the idea of 2 small heaters, though I think it might be tricky to get them calibrated as tightly as you're thinking. Honestly it's probs a toss up in a small sumpless tank. I'd go one heater with a ranco over two without, considering the aesthetics.

 

[Fishing4Answers]

That is a great point, I was so wrapped up in the idea that I didn't even think of the execution with regards to calibration being that tight. Otherwise it is pretty much useless in that way.

I do like the clean look, it might be getting crowded in a small tank with all the gear and two heaters. So I do like the idea of one heater, I just saw that everyone recommends the fail safe of having two. I also work 12 hour shifts, so when I leave I am gone 14 - 15 hours at a time. So if something goes wrong I might not catch it for close to a day later.

I looked a little into the Ranco, are they generally easy to set up and get running? I only say ones that required some wiring to be done. I did not have tons of time to look though.

Thanks guys for the recommendations so far, very helpful! Never thought I would be debating so much on a heater brand, and setup in my life.

 

[homer1475]

The Ranco's come needing to be wired, or lready wired and ready to go, you just plug in your heater.

You just have to dig a little deeper for the prewired ones as most that are looking for this type of controller, have the knowledge to wire them themselves.