In-Line Heaters: Need Input, Stephanie!

[Mako Shark II]

I've got two separate plumbing systems supporting my 120:

1) The Main return pressure (from the adjacent room Sump Closet) comes from a PCX-40 into a 3/4" Sea-Swirl, and
2) a PCX-30 running my Closed Loop system is un-filtered and used for general circulation only.

My (One & only) Heater is a 400W in the (1) corner Overflow box, before it reaches the Sump drain. As a (winter) precautionary back-up, I now want to add a second heater to the tank: an IN-Line heater on the return-side of the Closed Loop, because the CL runs on a different electrical circuit and if I pop a breaker, then the tank will still have a heat source as needed.

I've never researched In-Lines, and don't know beans about them, so what do people like, and WHY??
What Brand & Size should I put into the 3/4" PVC return line of the Closed Loop?

(Sorry, Aircraft systems have redundancies and back-ups. Just seems like the right thing to do.)


"Input.... Need Input, Stephanie!"

 

[Slim_jim989]

Re: In-Line Heaters: Need Input, Stephanie!

In my experience with an inline heater don't use one. Mine didn't work right and was just another spot to collect nasty stuff. Why don't you put a heater in the sump that should keep you warm

 

[ducklabdad]

I LOVE MY IN LINE HEATER!!!

I have a heater in my sump and then an In line, No way would I rely on just one heater.

In line has helped me stabalize my temps better than anything else that I have used.

But that is just my experience.

 

[Mako Shark II]

In a way, I already have a heater in the Sump: My (One & only) Heater is a 400W in the (1) corner Overflow box, BEFORE it reaches the Sump drain.

My concern is to have a redundant heater in the Closed Loop, because the Main pump pops a GFI circuit every now and then, cutting off heat to the Sump drain system.

Tonight, I'm going to remove the GFI outlet altogether, because I also have a GFI Circuit Breaker on the electrical panel box. (REALLY, the root problem is that stupid GFI Outlet popping, so by removing it, I should be okay.)

The GFI is super twitchy and pops really for no reason, every now and then. It's highly frustrating when I come home, and realize the tank has been off-line for HOURS and the temperature has fallen.:eek1: