Good controller-heater combo?

[sleeri]

Just wondering if anyone recommends a particular brand heater to use with a controller? I'm using an apex jr on my frag tank. About 40 gallons of water including the sump (heater will be placed in sump). Also, this tank will be in my unfinished basement. It can gets a little chilly down there in the winter. Mid to high 60's. What wattage would you recommend? Thanks.

 

[JMMJ13902]

I have a Finnex controller with 500w heater and I'm very happy with it. With 40g I would recommend 300w.

The heater is titanium so you do not have to worry about it get broken down.

 

[sleeri]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a good route. I'll check those out.

 

[Dave A]

My 90 gal is in the basement. Upstairs is kept at 65-67 in the winter, the basement is cooler than that by a few degrees. Last year I had no trouble keeping the tank at 78 with just an Eheim-Jager 200w. This fall I switched from T-5 to LED and the 200w had trouble keeping up so I switched to a 300w.
As of about a minute ago, my water temp is 77.5 (per my Reef Angel) and the air temp a few feet in front of the tank is 62.3 (per VWR digital thermometer)