Heater

[fernalfer]

Ok i've decided to go with the Eheim Jager Heater. My question is do i go with one or two. If one what wattage and if i go with 2 what wattages should they be?

I have a 120 dual overflow tank with a Trigger Systems 36" sump. Also would they both go in sump one on one as backup? Or one in sump and one in tank?

 

[JohnnyHildo]

i had to replace my heaters for my 120 and also went with eheim jager. i picked up 2-200w and they to do a great job.
just one piece of advice, while i didn't have a problem, make sure you have space in your sump for them. at roughly 15" long they're pretty sizable.
edit: missed this part... both in the sump and i leave mine at pretty much a degree apart. otherwise i kept finding one continuously flickering on and off.

 

[fernalfer]

i had to replace my heaters for my 120 and also went with eheim jager. i picked up 2-200w and they to do a great job.
just one piece of advice, while i didn't have a problem, make sure you have space in your sump for them. at roughly 15" long they're pretty sizable.
edit: missed this part... both in the sump and i leave mine at pretty much a degree apart. otherwise i kept finding one continuously flickering on and off.

Thanks i'll go with 2 200 watts as well.

 

[thegrun]

For what it is worth I run two Eheim Jagger 300 watt heaters on my tank. Depending on how cold you let your house get during the winter somewhere between 3-5 watts per gallon is needed. I have a 70 gallon sump/refugium and was concerned two 250 watt heaters might not keep up with the load as we turn the heater off when we are gone on vacation. Two 250 watt heaters might be a better choice for you.

 

[fernalfer]

For what it is worth I run two Eheim Jagger 300 watt heaters on my tank. Depending on how cold you let your house get during the winter somewhere between 3-5 watts per gallon is needed. I have a 70 gallon sump/refugium and was concerned two 250 watt heaters might not keep up with the load as we turn the heater off when we are gone on vacation. Two 250 watt heaters might be a better choice for you.

well on BRS 200w and 250w are a $1 difference and 300w is the same price as the 250 w. Should i just get 2 300w heaters instead? Actually the 300 watts are long. i'll do the 250's

 

[stephenhall1987]

I am a fan of the jager heater as well. But even the best quality heater eventually fails. The seal starts leaking, water gets inside and then either it electrocutes your tank, stays on and over heats, or stays off and tank gets cold.

My opinion is to go with as few as possible (1). The 250w is rated to be large enough for your tank. If you have room, place it in your sump.

I have a 400 gallon tank. I had to go with 2 of the 300w heaters to keep up in the winter. Like Johnny said, I have them set a couple degrees apart, so if its cold, one stays on and does most of the work, and the other just turns on to help out when needed.

 

[thegrun]

Yes, my sump is tall so the length doesn't matter to me, but if your sump is shorter than the heater the 250's make more sense. You can run them on an angle or even horizontal, but I suspect you will be fine with two 250's assuming your house doesn't get that cold.

 

[stephenhall1987]

the 200w is 16" long
the 250w is 18" long
the 300w is 20" long

 

[fernalfer]

the 200w is 16" long
the 250w is 18" long
the 300w is 20" long

Just measured if the heater has to be 100% submerged the 250 might be to big

 

[stephenhall1987]

Just measured if the heater has to be 100% submerged the 250 might be to big

Then minimum water level is about 1.75" from the top.

I have mine laying diagonally in my sump...

 

[fernalfer]

Then minimum water level is about 1.75" from the top.

I have mine laying diagonally in my sump...

I have the Trigger Systems Ruby 36" which do you have?

 

[stephenhall1987]

I have the Trigger Systems Ruby 36" which do you have?

Mine is an Oceanic sump. I don't remember what model it is.


might measure diagonally in the center chamber

 

[Itchy fishy]

I've read that 2 smaller heaters are better than 1 big one. If one craps out you have a back up. Not sure how that would work is it was stuck on. That being said I have a 1-200watt heater

 

[smmiller506]

2 small heaters are better than one large one. If one fails and starts heating your tank at max, the other will shut off. So, your tank may get a little warm, but not fast enough that you won't catch the issue, especially if you keep a logbook.

 

[fishchef]

Remember heaters need to be on a Controller. Failing heaters are a common problem and stuck on is a real problem.

 

[fernalfer]

Remember heaters need to be on a Controller. Failing heaters are a common problem and stuck on is a real problem.

What kind of controller?

 

[fishchef]

There are many types. We use a Ranco. Fairly simple unless you go with something like an Apex of which I'm not familiar.