How to maintain temp in long tanks?

[Stephen8169301]

I just want to make sure that you've tried using the same measuring instrument on both sides of the tank - most thermometers are wildly inaccurate so you need to take calibration issues out of the equation

Yeah I check both sides could the stronger wave maker on far end cause these issues and over power the weaker one?

 

[dstockwell]

I have my heater on the right lower side of my 55, with probe on the left side of my sump where the return pump is. No problems with stable heat.

 

[Stephen8169301]

I have my heater on the right lower side of my 55, with probe on the left side of my sump where the return pump is. No problems with stable heat

What size heater do you run

 

[Oldreefer44]

Agree that a 100w is too small. I have a 180 with 1 heater in the sump and one in the corner of the tank both on the same thermostat. Sensor is on the other end of the tank from the heater. Zero temperature fluctuation.

 

[edd59]

Yeah it is says it good for 40+ gallons but obviously not sure for longer tanks

heaters are rated by the volume and ambient temp, not length, width or depth of tank.
what is your tank volume in gal?

 

[Stephen8169301]

Agree that a 100w is too small. I have a 180 with 1 heater in the sump and one in the corner of the tank both on the same thermostat. Sensor is on the other end of the tank from the heater. Zero temperature fluctuation.

Okay so I increase my size now is there a way I know I’m not cooking my fish if it kicks on a little too long will a controller stop that

 

[Stephen8169301]

heaters are rated by the volume and ambient temp, not length, width or depth of tank.
what is your tank volume in gal?

Says 35gal through a calculation but with sand and rock I’m sure it’s less

 

[sde1500]

Okay so I increase my size now is there a way I know I’m not cooking my fish if it kicks on a little too long will a controller stop that

Yes. Get an ink bird controller. The controller probe measures the temperature and turns the thermometer on and off as needed

 

[BeanAnimal]

Use a controller. Set the heaters thermostat just above the controller temperature to act as a fail-safe.

 

[exnisstech]

As stated oversized heaters with 2 of them cranked a few degrees higher than your target temp and a controller to maintain the desired temp. I like titanium heaters with a seperate controller. Temp controllers on the heaters themselves have been chronically unreliable in my experience.

 

[snackpack]

As stated oversized heaters with 2 of them cranked a few degrees higher than your target temp and a controller to maintain the desired temp. I like titanium heaters with a seperate controller. Temp controllers on the heaters themselves have been chronically unreliable in my experience.

Not oversized heaters if you're running two - you want undersized.

 

[exnisstech]

Not oversized heaters if you're running two - you want undersized.

I've been running 2 oversized heaters on my tanks for over 30 years, 7 years in salt. Two oversized for redundancy. If one fails the other should be able to keep up. Undersized means if one fails your probably not going to be able to maintain temps. I just installed two 300 watt heaters in a tank with about 75g total volume.
EDIT: Also spares on hand are recommended.

 

[snackpack]

I've been running 2 oversized heaters on my tanks for over 30 years, 7 years in salt. Two oversized for redundancy. If one fails the other should be able to keep up. Undersized means if one fails your probably not going to be able to maintain temps. I just installed two 300 watt heaters in a tank with about 75g total volume.
EDIT: Also spares on hand are recommended.

What happens when both of your oversized heaters fail in the on position? I'm a big fan of seafood gumbo, but not like that

 

[exnisstech]

What happens when both of your oversized heaters fail in the on position? I'm a big fan of seafood gumbo, but not like that

The only way that can happen is if the controller fails and if that happens it won't matter if they are oversized or not.

 

[Crustaceon]

How do you maintain a steady temp in a longer tank? I can’t seem to keep my tank at 1 steady temp it’ll be 78 then it’ll be 76 I have the right size wattage for it I just want to have a clear head and my fish and coral are not dealing with swings

tank 33 long (4ft)
Temp watt 100

Sits in the display

More heater. I use two BRS 300w heater elements for my 4' 60g tank. They're on an inkbird controller of course and get routinely checked. That single 100w heater is definitely too small IMO.

 

[Pistondog]

Adequate flow/circulation will mix any temperature differences

 

[edd59]

The only way that can happen is if the controller fails and if that happens it won't matter if they are oversized or not.

not if you have heaters with independant thermostats on a controller, so you have redundency

 

[Dan_P]

How do you maintain a steady temp in a longer tank? I can’t seem to keep my tank at 1 steady temp it’ll be 78 then it’ll be 76 I have the right size wattage for it I just want to have a clear head and my fish and coral are not dealing with swings

tank 33 long (4ft)
Temp watt 100

Sits in the display

Why do you think 2 degrees matter?

 

[exnisstech]

not if you have heaters with independant thermostats on a controller, so you have redundency

No thermostats on titanium heaters. The only heat control is from the controller. Thats how I choose to do It. I refuse to rely on the built in temp control of any heater. They are just to erratic and never seem to be consistent between units. Thats been my experience. No right or wrong I suppose just different methods.

 

[edd59]

No thermostats on titanium heaters. The only heat control is from the controller. Thats how I choose to do It. I refuse to rely on the built in temp control of any heater. They are just to erratic and never seem to be consistent between units. Thats been my experience. No right or wrong I suppose just different methods.

yea very inconsistant. i guess to each his own