Heaters. One or Two?

[Reefer2727]

I have heard that going with 2 smaller heaters rather than one large is a better idea. Is the main reason because the bigger heater has the potential to cook the tank?

What is your 2 cents on this one? I will be using a Reefkeeper Lite to control them and wonder if it is worth the extra plug.

 

[Reefer2727]

Also, what size wattage would you recommend? My system will be right around the 100 gallon area.

If I went with 2 heaters would you say 150 watts or 200 watts?

 

[allactiondan]

Big heaters don't cook the tank if they are set to the proper temp.
Having said that, I run two heaters. I do this in case one stops working, the other one will keep the tank alive. I put one in the sump and hide the other one in the display tank. If the return pump dies and your heater is in the sump, the tank gets cold.
On the other hand, having two heaters means double the chance that one will get stuck on. Since you have a controller, you can set them manually (without the controller), get the tank to the proper temp, then leaving the settings on them alone, plug them into the controller. If it's done like that, if one (or both) get stuck on, the controller will act as a secondary backup, shutting them off.
Hope that helps.

Dan

 

[sedor]

+1 couldn't have said it any better. In Canada I would definitely get 2. Down here in the south we can get away with no heater for the most part if we want to

 

[Reefer2727]

What size?

 

[sfboarders]

I was in the same boat as you. I followed this table on marinedepot. I ended up getting (2) 200 watt Visi-therm Stealth heater for my 100 gallon.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...egory=FIHTGH&child=EJ1119&tab=1&size=200 watt

 

[Plan>B]

Take a look over here.... this should answer most of your questions.

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/aquarium-heaters-what-you-need-to-know!.aspx

 

[PSU REEFER]

Get 3. Put 2 in tank and 1 for a backup. Better safe then sorry

 

[dsun]

+1 they aren't that expensive...