How to set up two heaters?

[Fishinwall]

What's the best way to set up two heaters in a tank, without any controller?

Do you set them at the same temp? One higher than the other? If one higher than the other won't the lower one be the one that always runs?

Target temp 77F

Thanks

 

[mike007]

Set them both at the same temp.

 

[KorD]

run them both at the same temp...

if you were to run one higher, the higher one will always run and the lower one will never kick on. it will not get cold enough for it.

 

[Fishinwall]

Ok must be fun trying to get them set at the same temp.

 

[ReefEnvy]

Set one slightly lower. If it never cuts on where is the problem?

 

[TJ's Reef]

Yes, right or wrong I have always ran a secondary and usually smaller wattage heater set approx a degree or two cooler. To only kick in when needed or primary is lacking in power. I'd seriously look into getting some type of controller though, does not have to be a Apex or similar as there are great controllers like Ranco dual temp that will eventually save way more than its up front cost.


Cheers, Todd

 

[Fishinwall]

I'm not sure I get the whole two heater thing because it sounds like quite often when one goes bad it's because it gets stuck in the on position, which I don't see how having two solves that problem.... Then if you have two and they aren't set to the same temp then only one is really working.

 

[mike007]

I run my off the Apex so they both work together and I have backup in case one fails. I really think all heaters need to be on some type of controller. Why risk loosing your livestock due to a heater malfunctioning?

 

[Waters]

One heater shouldn't be enough to heat the tank on its own......the purpose of having two is that if one sticks in the on position, it isn't strong enough to overheat the tank. At least that is the way I understood it. I keep one a degree or two colder.

 

[Budman's Corals]

So with 2 heaters do u plug them both in the same spot on your energy bar,or different spots? If so they will be controlled the same so im not sure now..

 

[tigerdragon]

If using an apex plug them in to energy bar in diff spots controlled by your temp probe for turn on and off

 

[Budman's Corals]

If using an apex plug them in to energy bar in diff spots controlled by your temp probe for turn on and off

ok Dang there goes another spot on the bar, Thanks

 

[shibbyplustax]

ok Dang there goes another spot on the bar, Thanks

Why cant you just run a small extension cord with both heaters plugged in to it and only use up one outlet on the enrgy bar?

 

[tigerdragon]

Just think if the plug they are both in fails or the extension cord fails no htr seperate if one fails you are not w/out a htr

 

[tigerdragon]

If you have to bars put them in sep bars in case one pops its crkt brkr