Heaters...

[bconn]

Hello,

I am in the process of setting up a fish area in my basement. Given the complexity it has been slow going but there is an end to the madness soon!  Can anyone make a recommendation for heating options for the system? Anyone have any strong feelings about heaters? It will be about 400 gallons spread across a 215 gallon, 2 – 40 gallon breeders, 65 gallon, and a the sump which is 100 gallon that might be filled about 35%. I would like to keep the heater in the Rubbermaid sump. The basement temp runs about 60-65 during the winter months.

Thanks in advance

Bill

 

[Phyl]

Stay far far away from the Won Brothers Digital Readout Thermometers. We keep the bulk of our heaters in the sump in the basement. I think we're running 4 400w ebo jager, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[JohnS_323]

Stay far far away from the Won Brothers Digital Readout Thermometers. We keep the bulk of our heaters in the sump in the basement. I think we're running 4 400w ebo jager, if I'm not mistaken.

They're actually 400w Hydor Theo's.

 

[AnDom1]

I agree with John re the Won units. I've had bad experiences with them. Also agree that several heaters be used to avoid the risk of one high wattage heater failing. The Ebo's have been reliable over the years.

Dom

 

[bconn]

Thanks again everyone!

 

[DaveK]

My only thoughts are that it would be advisable to use an actual heater controller such as an Aqua Logic or a Medusa, or a general controller such as an Aquacontroller. Then the heater(s) would be controlled electronically, and there would be no risk of the heater(s) locking in an on position.

I would also use only 2 - 3 W per gallon, rather than the traditional 5w per gallon. You want about 800 to 1200 w of total heating from the heater(s) you use.

Mount the heater(s) so that it is impossible for them to contact the rubbermaid sump at any time. You don't want one melting through.