Heater Settings

[cccharliecc]

What do most people have programmed in their Apex’s for the temp range on their heaters?

Like 78 - 79?

Just wondering because I’m curious how often they should be going on and off.

 

[jsker]

Here you go
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Tmp < 78.4 Then ON
If Tmp > 78.6 Then OFF
If FeedC 002 Then OFF
If FeedD 002 Then OFF

 

[cccharliecc]

That's a close range.
Here is what I have mine at:
Fallback OFF
If Tmp < 78.1 Then ON
If Tmp > 78.9 Then OFF

 

[jsker]

The steadier the temp the less stress on the tank.

 

[cccharliecc]

yeah....I just thought having them a little further apart would not have the heaters kick on and off all the time.

 

[UNCFAN]

Thanks for starting this post because I want to use my Reef Keeper Lite to handle the heaters. I understand the two set points of the controller - but my question is what temperature setting do you set on your heater itself? I am guessing a little higher than the max set point on the controller.

 

[cccharliecc]

Yes, if you have a heater with a temp setting knob on it, you would want to set it slightly higher than your highest temp.

I have 300w Finnex heaters, they are either on or off.

 

[mjlash22]

yeah....I just thought having them a little further apart would not have the heaters kick on and off all the time.

This is true if you dont want them turning on and off all the time, but the reality is the greater the swing in temp, the greater stress to your tank. All levels (Ph, Alk, Calc, Salinity) will change depending on your water temp. The more it fluctuates, the more stress to your tank/fish.

If you were asking for an ideal set point, I think you can see from above, a lot of people like 78 degrees. Same for me.