heater suggestions

[SinisterLou]

My heater seems to have kicked the bucket. It was a 100 watt whisper which kept my tank at a perfect 78 degrees. My tank is about an estimated 60 gallons total water volume. My back up heater is a 200 watt adjustable which at the lowest setting seems to overheat my tank. This is the reason why I was using a 100 watt heater. Any recommendations? I know most manufactures recommendations will state a 100 watt is good for up to 30 gallons and a 200 watt is good for up to 55 gallons, but mine seems to run my tank too hot for comfort.

[SinisterLou]

Any one have a spare 100 watt heater laying around?

[Mike]

Are you sure you need the heater? I run most of the year without one, only putting them in when it turns colder, as I don't like to use my house heater. Anyone else not use a heater?

[SinisterLou]

Well Mike, I woke up this morning and my tank temp was at 72 degrees. My tank was used to a 76 to 80 temp fluctuation. I have recently started collecting sps and don't want to have them uncomfortable. I guess I am just a little worried.

[kkiel02]

With the more delicate SPS you will want one if you tank drops to 72 degrees. Stability is key with SPS and why I dont keep much anymore. Although Im sure the itch will return.

[SinisterLou]

Yeah Kevin I've been addicted to sps since I picked up my first one at the March frag swap. That is why I am concerned. I am thinking of just buying another whisper even though it just failed. It did last over 7 years that I can remember.

[kkiel02]

Thats pretty good for a heater I think. I use 2 Theo 400w although I think I just caught one being stuck on(I just unplugged it now). I think my other one is 200 or 300w but I cant remember who makes it. Its all black plastic. I am curious to see how many times and for how long each comes on though. Hopefully I can get my Apex to show me that.

I have only had mine 3 years or so now I think.

[TXSea]

Hey Lou, I would go Jager submersible heaters. They are built to last at least 7 years before replacement. Estimate about 3 watts of heating per gallon of water. Shop the net and you can find good deals on them usually rather than the LFS. I got mine for about 20 dollars for a 125 watt heater.

[cbianco]

I don't know exactly what your setup is but I prefer a titanium heat put on a controller.

I prefer titanium over glass because titanium is less prone to breakage. Either a dedicated controller or a full blown controller is more accurate and reliable than a built in controller.

JMO.

Christopher :)

[jroescher]

I don't understand why a larger heater would overheat the water. Shouldn't the thermostat shut it off when the desired temperature is reached? Wouldn't the larger the the larger the heater, the faster it would heat the water? And good flow should prevent a hot spot around the heater?

[SinisterLou]

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess the thermostat must've busted in the bigger heater. Thanks Chris for the advice on the phone. I just picked up an aqueon at TT for a good price with a lifetime warranty. I can relax a bit now, just need to monitor tank temp.

[cbianco]

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess the thermostat must've busted in the bigger heater. Thanks Chris for the advice on the phone. I just picked up an aqueon at TT for a good price with a lifetime warranty. I can relax a bit now, just need to monitor tank temp.

NP!

Not that it's necessary but it may be easier to pinpoint a correct temperature using a small portion of water and a thermometer. Take a Tupperware container, fill it with water, add thermometer and heater. The smaller body of water will reflect the temperature of the heater quicker allowing you to pinpoint the temperature you want to use. It also helps you to see how accurate your built in temperature control is compared to the actual temperature it puts out.

Christopher :)

[SinisterLou]

Good idea Chris. Will try that out.