Heater choice

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

I picked up a sump from BRS. Eshopps Cube Medium. Has anyone used that sump and where did they place the heater at? I was going to put an order in but I wasn't sure the size I had as I haven't filled my tank up yet maybe I should wait until I have finished with the plumbing and water testing to see where the water levels sit?
any advice is great
Thanks
Jerry

redfishbluefish · Feb 7, 2018

Here's my two cents....

First off, I don't know that particular sump. However, I'd suggest getting two heaters, each one under sized for your tank. The reason is that when one craps out, and it will, the other will at least attempt to hold temperature. For what it's worth, I have one heater in my filter sock/skimmer section and the second in my return section.

My second recommendation, more important than the first, is to use a temperature controller. All heaters, regardless of brand, will eventually crap out. The dangerous one is when they get STUCK ON. This will cook your tank. A controller protects you from this failure. It also does not have to be one of these fancy overpriced total tank controllers. A simple temperature only controller will do the job....something like an Inkbird or Ranco will do the trick.

And finally, my favorite heaters are Eheim Jager....glass twice as thick as others. Just watch out because they are long....make sure it fits.

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

Thanks for your two cents I do have a ink bird dual heater controller waiting for me to compete this build.
Here is my sump stuff is just tossed around for now two heaters should like a good choice.

redfishbluefish · Feb 7, 2018

What size is the DT.....that sump looks small for fitting any big heaters. I'm hoping the DT is maybe only 40 gallons or so.

pdisner · Feb 7, 2018

Jerry Ebner said:
I picked up a sump from BRS. Eshopps Cube Medium. Has anyone used that sump and where did they place the heater at? I was going to put an order in but I wasn't sure the size I had as I haven't filled my tank up yet maybe I should wait until I have finished with the plumbing and water testing to see where the water levels sit?
any advice is great
Thanks
Jerry

I agree with all the great advice the guy said above. I just have a favorite heater for a good reason, it’s NOT glass. They’re the Neo-Therm line from Cobalt Aquatics. They have a fabulous warranty (3y) and even when I had two that went out because of my fault (low water in sump and bad placement=fried heater no matter what brand)and they just replaced it for free!
True story!

nautical_nathaniel · Feb 7, 2018

+1 on Eheim Jager heaters, never had an issue with mine. I too would suggest having two heaters and a heater controller for backup and safety reasons.

pdisner · Feb 7, 2018

And sorry I don’t know sumps either, but if you follow those simple guidelines and really think thru what you’re going to do and it make sense to you, do it. Oh yeah ONE MORE THING IMPORTANT!! Make sure you ground tank with a decent ground probe. It will pick up any stray voltage, especially if you do decide to buy a glass therm. Lol!!

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

Display tank is a 60-gallon cube. According to Eshoops and BRS I am good on volume.

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

pdisner said:
I agree with all the great advice the guy said above. I just have a favorite heater for a good reason, it’s NOT glass. They’re the Neo-Therm line from Cobalt Aquatics. They have a fabulous warranty (3y) and even when I had two that went out because of my fault (low water in sump and bad placement=fried heater no matter what brand)and they just replaced it for free!
True story!

I have the Cobalt Neo-Therm in my Innovo 20 gallon it's been great.

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

pdisner said:
And sorry I don’t know sumps either, but if you follow those simple guidelines and really think thru what you’re going to do and it make sense to you, do it. Oh yeah ONE MORE THING IMPORTANT!! Make sure you ground tank with a decent ground probe. It will pick up any stray voltage, especially if you do decide to buy a glass therm. Lol!!

Thank you for bringing that up I will have to do that

redfishbluefish · Feb 7, 2018

Jerry Ebner said:
Display tank is a 60-gallon cube. According to Eshoops and BRS I am good on volume.

I wasn't questioning volume, but whether or not you could fit heaters in that sump. Here's the table for sizes of Eheim Heaters:

...Tank Size....Power Needed....Heater Length
7–16 gallons.........50 watt.................9"
16–26 gallons.......75 watt...............10.2"
26–40 gallons.....100 watt..............12.2"
40–53 gallons.....125 watt...............12.2"
53–79 gallons......150 watt..............13.4"
79–106 gallons....200 watt.............15.7"
106–159 gallons..250 watt..............17.3"
159-264 gallons...300 watt.............19.6"

pdisner · Feb 7, 2018

I would buy an in expensive tank controller like a Digital aquatic reef keeper. Neptune Apex’s are neat but expensive. Now that u have a sump, you’ll have a place to put the probes!

pdisner · Feb 7, 2018

I have both, but I breed so I have two systems, plus I sell my Phyto pods and rotis so I have those tanks to mind as well. They help. I also am using Aquatic Log which is an app for your computer and/or smartphone. Just a couple things to look into. With the tank controllers you’ll be able to see how those new heaters are working.

Greybeard · Feb 7, 2018

If that 60 cube has the standard corner overflow, that's always a decent place to stick a heater.

I've had several eshopps sumps in the past, but not this one... quality was pretty good, they held up well. I didn't like the flow channel under the ref compartment in one, simply because it's impossible to clean. I'm using a converted 55g tank now. Love the space

I had one of the titanium tube heaters from Finex that gave up on me last Monday. 8 months old, just quit. It was the one without a controller, run from my Reefkeeper. I'm replacing it with an Eheim Jager. Thought the simple thermostat would make for one more layer of safety... and I didn't want to buy another Finex. The Jager is significantly larger than the Finex was, and less powerful (I had the 800w finex). Hopefully, it'll last a while. Critters don't seem unhappy with the 72f that they've been at all week, since my heater is out. I've just been keeping the room a bit warmer than usual. Normally, I keep it at 76, so it's only a few degrees down.

I will be adding a grounding probe soon. Titanium tube heaters act as a grounding probe, but since I won't be using one anymore, I want a probe.

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
I wasn't questioning volume, but whether or not you could fit heaters in that sump. Here's the table for sizes of Eheim Heaters:

...Tank Size....Power Needed....Heater Length
7–16 gallons.........50 watt.................9"
16–26 gallons.......75 watt...............10.2"
26–40 gallons.....100 watt..............12.2"
40–53 gallons.....125 watt...............12.2"
53–79 gallons......150 watt..............13.4"
79–106 gallons....200 watt.............15.7"
106–159 gallons..250 watt..............17.3"
159-264 gallons...300 watt.............19.6"

Yeah, need to find the few people that suggested I use that sump and ask them that question about the heater. Might be able to put two in the Refugium section laying diagonal .. Never tried to use a Refugium before this sump so I don't know that may not be a good idea with the lamp on them all the time.

Jerry Ebner · Feb 7, 2018

Greybeard said:
If that 60 cube has the standard corner overflow, that's always a decent place to stick a heater.

I've had several eshopps sumps in the past, but not this one... quality was pretty good, they held up well. I didn't like the flow channel under the ref compartment in one, simply because it's impossible to clean. I'm using a converted 55g tank now. Love the space

I had one of the titanium tube heaters from Finex that gave up on me last Monday. 8 months old, just quit. It was the one without a controller, run from my Reefkeeper. I'm replacing it with an Eheim Jager. Thought the simple thermostat would make for one more layer of safety... and I didn't want to buy another Finex. The Jager is significantly larger than the Finex was, and less powerful (I had the 800w finex). Hopefully, it'll last a while. Critters don't seem unhappy with the 72f that they've been at all week, since my heater is out. I've just been keeping the room a bit warmer than usual. Normally, I keep it at 76, so it's only a few degrees down.

I will be adding a grounding probe soon. Titanium tube heaters act as a grounding probe, but since I won't be using one anymore, I want a probe.

Yes, it has the corner overflow I could use that area maybe. Thanks for the Tip

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2018

Nice looking sump. I always recommend when asked to go with titanium heater units and at least 500 watts. 500 sounds like a lot but in smaller systems, it will heat tank quickly and work less providing longer heater life. In larger tanks, it will keep up