In Line Heaters

[Carl.hu]

I've got a 160 gallon tank in my crawl space that I'm going to use to store my saltwater for the water changes. I will have a circulation pump to keep the water continuously flowing and will also use it to pump the water into my aquarium. I was thinking about getting an in-line heater that I could turn on prior to the water change and run the heater only when it is needed. Only the water that is being transferred to the aqurium would flow through the heater. I plan on doing weekly water changes - about 20 gallons a week. Yours thoughts on this approach would be greatly appreciated.

 

[revsgirl]

:bump2:

 

[Paul C.]

I run a Hydor on my 75 gal and have had no issues. But, i gotta ask, is that a typo? A 160 gal tank of saltwater for a 20 gal a week water change? Kinda a waste to have that volume running with heater, pump, etc. IMO.

 

[Sitaga]

I don't think in-line heaters get water to temp on a single pass. I believe they are designed to go In-Line of your return pump with continuous circulation

 

[Paul C.]

I would say the in-line is more efficient than a regular heater relying on radiant heat. Using the return pump, all water is passed through the heater vs relying on sump flow to "mix" the heat given off by the heater. Love mine.

 

[Norcalreefer]

yes inline heaters are more efficient, but I agree that one pass would not be enough. I would put the inline heater in a way that you can turn it on and recirculate the water until you are at the temp you want before using the water. The question about a 160g reservoir for a 20g water change is a good question.