Heating Mat?

[Raven1645]

Just wondering if placing a heating mat under my 250x50 cm footprint tank would be an option? Or in my canopy?
I've never really heard of it till I found one at my local hardware store.

I'm trying to keep the electricity bill as low as possible.

Please share your thoughts/experience and if you use it yourself please tell me the setup and specifications.

Thanks!

 

[Raven1645]

Another question:
Should everyone keep their heaters on 24/7?

 

[James77]

Its going to take a certain amount of energy to heat the tank no matter what. An electric heater in the water will transfer 100% of its energy into the water, a heating mat will send some into the table beneath it. If you wish to save electric, you can insulate the sump and return lines, and try to use a canopy. It grealty depends on the climate you are in and the ambient room temperature.

You shoudl ideally use a dedicated controller to turn your heaters on and off. The thermostats on them do work intiially, but they will fail at some point, either nuking or freezing your tank.

 

[disc1]

Your heater should be set with a thermostat of some kind so that it comes on when the temp is low and turns off when it is high. If your question is should it do that 24/7 then yes it should. If your question is should it run 24/7 then no it shouldn't. The heater in my tank hardly every comes on in the wintertime, but runs quite a bit in the summer.

 

[Raven1645]

Alright thanks guys, suppose I should forget themat and focus on using regular heaters as efficient as possible

 

[billdogg]

The heater in my tank hardly every comes on in the wintertime, but runs quite a bit in the summer.

Really? Mine goes just opposite - the heater tends to come on more when it's cold out.

 

[Mike31154]

One advantage of the mat would be no electrical gizmo physically in the water. I installed some in-floor electric heating under ceramic tiles at my living room bay window a few years ago. I've been considering the idea of trying this under some granite tile I'd like to use under a future room divider tank build. I agree it wouldn't be as efficient as a conventional heater directly in the water, but in the winter, the heat from under the tile would supplement the room heating as well, no? And in the summer, when the ambient temp is higher, the matt wouldn't be on that much anyhow.

 

[disc1]

Really? Mine goes just opposite - the heater tends to come on more when it's cold out.

Ooops. I think I got something backwards there.