| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
08-23-2007, 09:11 AM
|
#1
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
|
do I need bigger heaters?
My new tank has been running just about 2 weeks now. I have 2 250 watt heaters in the sump... my total water volume is approx. 240 gallons... 180 main tank, 60 in sump... the temp. is holding constant at about at 79...(I have a digital thermometer, so it ranges from 79.4-79.8 during the day) BUT, I don't think the heaters have turned off since turning them on initially. Everytime, and I mean, everytime, I look, the red light is on, meaning they are, of course, heating the water. Are these heaters not big enough for this much water? I guess to hold the temp staedy at 79 they are having to run constantly. what size heaters are acceptable for this much water?
thanks!
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 09:24 AM
|
#2
|
|
Keeper of the Reef
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 2,483
|
I have a 250w in my system with only 125G Mine runs alot too but I keep my house @ 68degrees. The only time I see the temp change is when the halides are on I see about 1-1.5 deg. rise after 8 hours.
I would say as long as your temp is not droping, your fine IMHO
__________________
They call me Chris  I'm obsessed with fuzzy sticks 
75g SPS/LPS Reef :: 2x 250w 12K Reef Lux :: Octopus NW-200 Skimmer ::
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 09:37 AM
|
#3
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
|
but this is TWO 250 watt heaters running constantly.
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 09:47 AM
|
#4
|
|
Keeper of the Reef
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 2,483
|
DO you keep your house cool. Is there a AC vent near the tank? Are they still running when halides are on if you have them?
Got this from premiumaquatics.com
Choosing the right size heater:
A good rule of thumb is multiply your tank gallon size by 5 (example 30 gallon tank needs a 150watt heater). Keep in mind where your tank is located. ie: cold room or warm room and adjust acordingly.
So if your @ 240g you'll need a 1200W heater 
__________________
They call me Chris I'm obsessed with fuzzy sticks
75g SPS/LPS Reef :: 2x 250w 12K Reef Lux :: Octopus NW-200 Skimmer ::
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 09:59 AM
|
#5
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
|
Ah Ha!!! Yes, I do keep my house cool, probably too cool. AND this tank is in the basement, which of course stays cooler... AND I keep the vent open in my fishroom, because I still have my 29 gallon up and it tends to creep up during the day with the halide on. This new tank will be running a 72"T-5 fixture from Aquactinics, so no halides, but I haven't even put it on the tank yet, as I am still messing with the aquascaping and will be transferring everything over soon...I think I may have found the problem...thanks, Chris! I will wait and see what happens when I put the light on the tank and take down the other tank... maybe then I can close the vent in that room...
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 10:18 AM
|
#6
|
|
It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
|
why keep the tank at 79. drop it a couple of degrees. 77 is fine, 75 is fine. less electricity being used.
G~
__________________
Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 10:51 AM
|
#7
|
|
Pinch That Penny
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Redmond Oregon
Posts: 2,144
|
I have found that my stock prefers 80 degrees
__________________
Home of the $0.00 Nano 
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 11:09 AM
|
#8
|
|
I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 24,008
|
Mine likes 77.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 02:18 PM
|
#9
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
|
wow, wide range of temperatures out there...75, is really OK??? I keep the 29 at a constant 80 because that way, there is no creep up with the halides on... just found that by trial and error. So I was going to just keep this tank at what I am used to keeping one at... but it seems there is a wide range of OK temps... maybe I will try lowering it to 78...75 seems sooo low...is that what you keep yours at, Geoff!
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
|
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 06:18 PM
|
#10
|
|
BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,806
|
Jenni, I have to say that I stopped using heaters sometime back, Everything did great, I just unplug the ones I had and never plugged them back in, I won't buy a heater again,
__________________
Vince aka VINNIE
|
|
|
|
08-23-2007, 11:31 PM
|
#11
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Ontario, CA
Posts: 1,028
|
I am thinking I should do the same VWD. Jenni, I wish I could get my tank to that temp!
|
|
|
|
|
08-24-2007, 12:36 AM
|
#12
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
|
The whole reason I was asking this question is because even just keeping the tank at 79 the heaters are running constantly. I was thinking that they are NOT enough wattage to keep the temp up because they never turn off.
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
Last edited by jennmac415; 08-24-2007 at 10:07 AM.
Reason: forgot the word NOT
|
|
|
|
|
08-24-2007, 01:04 AM
|
#13
|
|
Pinch That Penny
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Redmond Oregon
Posts: 2,144
|
What kinda heaters are they??? How are you checking your temp??
__________________
Home of the $0.00 Nano
|
|
|
|
|
08-24-2007, 01:04 AM
|
#14
|
|
Pinch That Penny
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Redmond Oregon
Posts: 2,144
|
nevermind the checking the temp part
__________________
Home of the $0.00 Nano
|
|
|
|
|
08-24-2007, 07:54 AM
|
#15
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Ontario, CA
Posts: 1,028
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennmac415
The whole reason I was asking this question is because even just keeping the tank at 79 the heaters are running constantly. I was thinking that they are enough wattage to keep the temp up because they never turn off.
|
The only other reason that would happen is if your surrounding air is cooler than the tank. However, I do not think that 2X250 is enough for 240gallons of water, so there is a good chance that has something to do with it. 300W is recommended for 100 gallons of water in a warm house, 400W per 100 gallons in a cool house. Going by that you should have at least 2 300W heaters as a bare minimun.
|
|
|
|
|
