larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 So, I'm wondering what type of heaters those of you with big tanks are using. I need to get about 2000w of heat in my 300g display + 100g sump system. I definitely want to go with titanium heaters, as I've had enough of glass heaters breaking. I'll be using a controller with temp probe to control them. Ideas? thanks! Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arredondojason Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 finnex all the way. I have a 800W on my 240 total volume hooked up to my Reef Keeper Elite and it is amazing. Plus all titanium and not super expensive. here is a link to the one I got. http://www.aquacave.com/finnex-800w-deluxe-brtitanium-heating-tube-1924.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Where did you get that figure? Thats a lot of heater for that volume. I always undersize heaters. Equipment does some heating. You dont want to cook it. What is your room temp where the tank is? If you do use 2000 watts you will need to wire up their own circuit. Thats like 17 amps in heater alone. I would go with like 2-300 watters to be honest and go from there. MAYBE 2 500 watters Also larger volume is in your favor. Usually they are thick glass or acrylic which insulates well, and the larger volume holds temps longer. You just need big enough to keep temps up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arredondojason Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I agree one 800W sould be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 finnex all the way. I have a 800W on my 240 total volume hooked up to my Reef Keeper Elite and it is amazing. Plus all titanium and not super expensive. here is a link to the one I got. http://www.aquacave.com/finnex-800w-deluxe-brtitanium-heating-tube-1924.html From what I've seen online it appears that these require the Finnex temperature controller, and they don't seem to have standard 3-prong plugs. Are the photos misleading? If not, can you describe how you've got yours wired in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Where did you get that figure? Thats a lot of heater for that volume. I always undersize heaters. Equipment does some heating. You dont want to cook it. What is your room temp where the tank is? If you do use 2000 watts you will need to wire up their own circuit. Thats like 17 amps in heater alone. I would go with like 2-300 watters to be honest and go from there. MAYBE 2 500 watters Also larger volume is in your favor. Usually they are thick glass or acrylic which insulates well, and the larger volume holds temps longer. You just need big enough to keep temps up I ran my setup through 3 of the online calculators and was getting back 2000+ watts on each one. The setup is a 60x48x24 tank, 1/2" acrylic, open top. The sump is 36x48x16, 3/8" acrylic, open top. I would have expected to need 1000w at first guess and was also somewhat surprised at the calculator results. If you have a calculator you recommend I'll plug it in and see what it says. Overnight room temps are 62 in winter and I need the tank to remain at 78. I think that's what's driving the higher demand. I have 2 300w units with a Ranco controller on my AGA 125g and they work fairly hard to maintain the temp. Most likely I'll go with 500w units, start with 2, and add a 3rd (and 4th) if needed to maintain overnight temps. Did you have a brand you like, MVP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arredondojason Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 one better here are better pics of the plug. It is connected to my pc4 and controlled from my RKE head unit threw the temp probe. Thats all there is to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arredondojason Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 i think you should go with one 800W and see if that works if not you can always add another later it heated my tank from 60 to 77 in about 2 hours and it gets hot fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 one better here are better pics of the plug. It is connected to my pc4 and controlled from my RKE head unit threw the temp probe. Thats all there is to it. Pictures are certainly worth 1000 words - thanks! So it appears the units do actually come with 3 prong cables as well as the (proprietary?) controller cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arredondojason Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 the controller cable has a three plug prong on the end and you plug the heater in there. If you have a controller then you can just get the element and hook it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Finnex for sizes 500 and above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I bought two 500 watt finnex heaters from BRS to add to the 300 watter I already had that I planed on using (all 3) for my 400 gallon tank-I have 2 sumps and a frag tank and figure my total working water volume is around 550- I have 1 of the 500 watters hooked up -(laugh) and it keeps my tank in the 75-76 range I have my controller set for-granted the room I built is insulated so depending on where yuo plan to place the tank will play a big role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Yeah my 240 I never even set up a heater for it. My tank is running around 76-78 degrees at any given time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Finnex for sizes 500 and above. I bought two 500 watt finnex heaters from BRS Finnex appears to be the leader amongst this small sampling group - that's great to know. I didn't realize the BRS was carrying heaters, but I'm glad to hear they are as I need to get some other supplies from them as well and always appreciate jumping on our group guys to make good prices even better. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 I bought two 500 watt finnex heaters from BRS to add to the 300 watter I already had that I planed on using (all 3) for my 400 gallon tank-I have 2 sumps and a frag tank and figure my total working water volume is around 550- I have 1 of the 500 watters hooked up -(laugh) and it keeps my tank in the 75-76 range I have my controller set for-granted the room I built is insulated so depending on where yuo plan to place the tank will play a big role. What's your lowest ambient room temperature? I suspect the reason I'm being guided toward more wattage is the large temperature differential I have (16 degrees). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Yeah my 240 I never even set up a heater for it. My tank is running around 76-78 degrees at any given time. You must be running MH on your tank... either that or you have the room temp up in the low- to mid-70's right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 You must be running MH on your tank... either that or you have the room temp up in the low- to mid-70's right? Just t5 bulbs. and the house stays around 70 at all times Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 So the consistent message I'm hearing is that I shouldn't need 2000 watts, and that Finnex titanium heaters are a good performer for units over 500 watts. I think I'm going to go with a pair, and then add as necessary. I'm a big believer in not overdoing the heat capacity due to the risk of boiling the tank (hence my use of Ranco controllers on my other big tanks along with multiple smaller heaters) but also know that the 16 degrees that I'm asking them to raise the temps every night is larger than the norm, so my requirement may also be bigger that most. Thanks everyone for the insights and help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 What's your lowest ambient room temperature? I suspect the reason I'm being guided toward more wattage is the large temperature differential I have (16 degrees). the room probably does nopt drop below 66 maybe 68-Its part of the garage I framed in for the tank room but like I said I insulated it-Just walls, the ceiling is not insulated at all So the consistent message I'm hearing is that I shouldn't need 2000 watts, and that Finnex titanium heaters are a good performer for units over 500 watts. I think I'm going to go with a pair, and then add as necessary. I'm a big believer in not overdoing the heat capacity due to the risk of boiling the tank (hence my use of Ranco controllers on my other big tanks along with multiple smaller heaters) but also know that the 16 degrees that I'm asking them to raise the temps every night is larger than the norm, so my requirement may also be bigger that most. Thanks everyone for the insights and help! I am guessing but even with a 16 degree swin in room temp the tank is not feeling the effect of that swing and the heater will be kicking on to maintain what ever you program-Two is safe, it gives you one as a back up. When I had the 2-500's hooked up they were controlled via my apex on the EB8 (power strip) with everything else, I had them both set at the same program, so when the temp dropped below 75.0 they turned on. The first time that happened it flipped the breaker (laugh), which is a dedicated 15 amp plug (I added a sub panel for my tank) something to keep in mind is the amps you will be pulling if everyting fires up at one time-DOH! Good luck with the build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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