Heaters and Sumps

[Noobeef]

So I have some questions about how everyone has heaters set up along with sumps. My water volume is going to be around 130 gallons after you take into account the sump + loss of water volume due to rocks, sand, etc. I am thinking about having a 400w heater in the sump set at 80 degrees along with a 250w heater in the display tank set at 78 degrees.

The 400w should be strong enough to handle that water amount since my house doesn't suffer from drastic temp swings (Orange County, CA). I would hide the 250w heater behind a rock formation to help with its unsightliness. I figure it would hardly ever go on unless the pump broke (thereby not allowing water in the tank) or the other heater crapped out.

Does anyone else have two heaters with one in the display? I figure the rock formation will keep most snails from cooking themselves on the 250w in the tank. It just makes me nervous having 2 separate things that can break spelling doom for my tank. I have had heaters die on me 3 separate times and I've lost a pump once.

 

[jmski333]

in my 90 gallon i have 2x 100w heaters in my sump. i have about 135 gallons of water volume and the 2x 100w heaters heat my tank like a champ. I plan to add one more 100w heater into my sump though or maybe in my corner flow.

The trick to heaters is it is better to add a bunch of small ones instead of one large one that way if one malfunctions your whole tank wont ride on its back. So if one of my 100w heaters decides to turn on full blast it wont destroy my tank like a 400w one would.

 

[cilyjr]

i have 2x 300 watt heaters in my display 1 100 watt heater in my frag/grow out tank and 1 300 watt heater in my sump. if i lose my return pump my display can go for a few days without any major issues

 

[The Punisher]

Have you thought about using a Ranco temperature controller? As you said, you've had 3 separate heaters malfunction on you, hobby heaters are known for malfunctioning. A temp controller with 2 or 3 smaller heaters is going to be your best bet.
Here's a great article on aquarium heaters from BeanAnimal: Aquarium Heaters