Heater time

[JTL]

I guess it may be time to purchase a heater. During the summer months here in Southwest FL I was able to avoid a chiller. Now that it is getting cooler the house temps are dropping and so is the tank temp. This morning the house was 72 and the tank was 75. Temps are rising now and will likely get to 76-77. I think I need enough wattage to hold the temp at 78 or so when the house temp hits a low point of 72 for a few hours. My total water volume is 125 net. I wouldn't think it will take a lot of watts. What do you think?

 

[cincyjim]

I would run 2 200 watt heaters.

 

[JTL]

That sounds like overkill but if I knew the answer I guess I wouldn't be asking for advice

 

[cincyjim]

Might be. You could get away with a combo of one 200 and one 150 heaters or something like that. The reason I said for two at that wattage is in case one goes on the fritz and doesn't work any longer. I have two 200 watt heaters on my tank and the only reason I knew one went out was because my Apex was showing the outlet was on but the amps didn't reflect it was actually on. So my one 200 watt was able to carry the load until I got a new one in. Just a thought.

 

[mcgyvr]

In general you need 2-3x water volume to achieve a 5degF delta..
So yes.. 2 x 125W or 150W would be good..
But its dependent on the exposed surface area/type of tank,etc.. (aka many variables)

I highly suggest also picking up a blue inkbird temperature controller and letting it control them.. Set the heaters slightly higher than the inkbird/desired temp..
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Elec...e=UTF8&qid=1509467183&sr=8-9&keywords=inkbird

 

[JTL]

I ordered the inkbird. Have you had any problems using the probe in saltwater?

 

[mcgyvr]

I ordered the inkbird. Have you had any problems using the probe in saltwater?

Not at all..


A tip though.. Just put it in enough water to come about 75% of the way up the stainless tip and do not expose the joint (stainless to wire junction) to water long term or at all.. This is all a "just in case"...
Joints like that on any product are where failures will happen most often..
same with heaters.. I never recommend submersing anything but the glass because "if" a leak is going to occur its going to happen at the joint from glass to the control section.. So best to not have it under water..