The ReefBox Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Let's talk heaters! What do you use, how do you control your heating and problems you have experienced from heaters. Why am I posting this? Well with fall and winter coming it's time to prepare and not wait. I know lots of people have there "no" heater theory but not everyone can employee this technique. I have read up a lot on heaters and issues so it's good to keep it fresh. I am looking to figure out how to use a Ranco heater controller with a titanium heating element . If anyone does this or knows how please pass on the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I used to use that setup before I got my Apex, it worked great. Just wire the plug in and set it and forget it. Those Ranco's are very accurate in my experience. I currently use my Apex with an Eheim heater. I have heard a lot of talk about people running two smaller heaters instead of one large in case of failure. I have thought about trying that. Anyone use that method? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I run 2 heaters through my apex, I had a heater go stuck on in my nano, ever since I setup my apex I've used it to control them. I run 2 out of fear that one would go bad, and with my sump in my garage, it could get cold, and rather quickly. Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Here is my elaborate and overdone setup Main System Apex controlled heaters. 2 temp probes, either can shut off heaters, either can trigger alarms/texts Main Heaters on different EB8 outlets (outlets can go bad, also pay attention to amp ratings on outlets) One APEX EB8 on frag tank. It runs the heater and other things, on a different electrical circuit from the main tank. The idea is to get circuit redundancy and keep the frag tank warm if the frag feed pump ever goes out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 With all this time on my hands, (one can see have have been reading lots" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 Here is my elaborate and overdone setup Main System Apex controlled heaters. 2 temp probes, either can shut off heaters, either can trigger alarms/texts Main Heaters on different EB8 outlets (outlets can go bad, also pay attention to amp ratings on outlets) One APEX EB8 on frag tank. It runs the heater and other things, on a different electrical circuit from the main tank. The idea is to get circuit redundancy and keep the frag tank warm if the frag feed pump ever goes out. So are you using a glass heater with built in thermometer or titanium and apex does the rest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Built in thermostat, its another layer of redundancy. Although I have 4 heaters so that no single heater sticking on can overheat the tank: I mostly am using these now. http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/pro-heaters.htm They have no glass, are supposedly shatterproof. I have GFCIs on individual outlets, so if a heater broke and tripped the gfci, it could shut down just that one outlet. Other heaters would continue to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 Built in thermostat, its another layer of redundancy. Although I have 4 heaters so that no single heater sticking on can overheat the tank: I mostly am using these now. http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/pro-heaters.htm They have no glass, are supposedly shatterproof. I have GFCIs on individual outlets, so if a heater broke and tripped the gfci, it could shut down just that one outlet. Other heaters would continue to work. Looks like 250 watt is biggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Could be, I think mine are all 200 and 150s. That keeps 450 gallons warm. I like that no single heater can cook the tank... Like I said though, mine is elaborate and probably overdone. Everything in the tank is so precious though, and so are trouble free vacations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I swap out my "heater" every 9 months or so. Current "heater" is Radium, Ushio might be next....dunno. I know.....not very helpful is it? But....I won't experience a heater failure either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Here is my elaborate and overdone setup Main System Apex controlled heaters. 2 temp probes, either can shut off heaters, either can trigger alarms/texts Main Heaters on different EB8 outlets (outlets can go bad, also pay attention to amp ratings on outlets) One APEX EB8 on frag tank. It runs the heater and other things, on a different electrical circuit from the main tank. The idea is to get circuit redundancy and keep the frag tank warm if the frag feed pump ever goes out. This is sweet - gotta love multiple redundancies! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowseahorseguy Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I used to use that setup before I got my Apex, it worked great. Just wire the plug in and set it and forget it. Those Ranco's are very accurate in my experience. I currently use my Apex with an Eheim heater. I have heard a lot of talk about people running two smaller heaters instead of one large in case of failure. I have thought about trying that. Anyone use that method? In my old tanks I've only done this. It really helped to keep my tanks at a stable temp. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I use 3 ebo jaegers. They are all over 10 years old. I like my tank at 79-80 so I have one set at 76, one at 78, and one at 80. All three have their own built in thermostats.All 3 are controlled by my Apex unit to shut down if the tank hits 82. I have been did it this way sans Apex for about 8 years and never had a problem, but with the Apex why not set it up like that too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 DIY heater/fan controller with Arduino. 3 temp probes, 2 in sump for sanity check. 1 measure room temp. 2 heaters connected to controller, normally only turn 1 on when needed. The other is backup. If room temp is below 65F when on vacation, both heaters will turn on. If main heater is on but temp continues to drop 2 deg below set temp, main heater will be disabled and switch to backup heater. Text msg will be send to notify heater failure. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 DIY heater/fan controller with Arduino. 3 temp probes, 2 in sump for sanity check. 1 measure room temp. 2 heaters connected to controller, normally only turn 1 on when needed. The other is backup. If room temp is below 65F when on vacation, both heaters will turn on. If main heater is on but temp continues to drop 2 deg below set temp, main heater will be disabled and switch to backup heater. Text msg will be send to notify heater failure. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk Good redundancy there bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 I use 3 ebo jaegers. They are all over 10 years old. I like my tank at 79-80 so I have one set at 76, one at 78, and one at 80. All three have their own built in thermostats.All 3 are controlled by my Apex unit to shut down if the tank hits 82. I have been did it this way sans Apex for about 8 years and never had a problem, but with the Apex why not set it up like that too. Pledoshpy how many eb8 you running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beer503 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I use two 500w finex controlled by apex. I actually set on on at 77.1 and off at 78.1 and the other on at 76.1. BRS has a great video about heater selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 So apex does all the work no sep controller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Pledoshpy how many eb8 you running? 19... No I run an EB8 and an EB4. I conserve some plugs by using powerstrips for things like lights/fans, CAreactor intake/mixer, all dosing pump, etc etc. I actually have a free spot I am going to use and put a carbon reactor on stand by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 19... No I run an EB8 and an EB4. I conserve some plugs by using powerstrips for things like lights/fans, CAreactor intake/mixer, all dosing pump, etc etc. I actually have a free spot I am going to use and put a carbon reactor on stand by. I see.................no apex programming on the lights/fans/dosers etc ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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