Heater sizing
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=82869
Printed Date: February 05 2026 at 1:00pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Heater sizing
Posted By: speyside712
Subject: Heater sizing
Date Posted: July 15 2017 at 1:47pm
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Hey everyone, im setting up a new system and trying to determine how strong my heater(s) should be. I have a 90 gallon display and a 36 gallon sump. Shooting to keep the water 77-78. My other equipment doesnt produce much heat so the water is running about 70 all the time without a heater. I keep my house pretty cold. I know heater failure is a common cause of tank disasters and ive seen it first hand (my brother in law lost his whole setup due to this) so I would like to set up as much of a fail proof system as possible. I was thinking two undersized heaters (so if one fails in the off position it cant cook the tank). I have an apex to turn off the power if the tank gets too hot, but id like a little redundancy too if possible. How does two 100 watt heaters sound? Is that too much, too little? Im looking at the eheim jager model, they are glass. What do you guys use, any recommendations? P.S. Mark I know you recommend no heater at all 😂 
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Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 15 2017 at 4:09pm
 I recommend no heater only from late Spring to early Fall, depending on temperature. It's been discussed very well in a Reefkeeping Tip, copied here for your convenience:Heaters and water Temperature, what's best? http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=79571" rel="nofollow - http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=79571 There are reasons for those recommendations based on good biological science. 70 degrees is a little on the cool side, but coral and fish like it just fine for the reasons discussed in that thread. Why do we always hear that 78 is a good aquarium temperature? It's a bad carry-over from the keeping of tropical freshwater aquariums. Yes, we know the ocean surface water temperature at the equator can be 80 or above, but our boxes of water are not exactly like the ocean. We must treat them a little different. It's my opinion that manufacturer recommendations for heater wattage are wrong for reef aquariums. You are correct. Using just one undersized heater or, if it makes you feel better, two even smaller heaters is very good practice. The brother-in-law's experience proves that. I have had heaters fail in the ON position in my own tanks and those I maintain, but by following the advice in that Reefkeeping Tip I have never had a tank overheat to where any animals died. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: phys
Date Posted: July 21 2017 at 4:50am
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Most heaters will just stop heating but the occasional stick on scenario sucks. Dont skimp on heaters because you do get what you pay for... but also, make sure you dont get ripped off. I usually shoot for a heater that is slightly larger than required just in case my house heater doesnt decide to work. Two smaller ones would work well too but getting a single smaller one usually causes it to cycle on more often which runs it down faster. I personally prefer eheim due to how they heat. Its my understanding they stay on longer at a lower wattage than others to keep the water from rising and falling in temp as much. Seems to use less power since its not having to heat from lower temperatures. They also seem to last longer. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 21 2017 at 8:47am
The King of Cheap doesn't buy cheap heaters.  Eheim Jager is what I use, too.Has a study ever been done to document the most common way that heaters fail? The reason I ask is because my experience is the opposite of Paul's. For me, heaters have most often failed by sticking permanently ON. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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