Adding another heater

[mmw64]

Noticing my 300 watt Finnex is not keeping temperature steady. Temperature fluctuating by about three degrees at night Thinking of adding an additional heater. My tank is Red Sea Reefer 350 so 72 gallons with 18 gallon sump. I have an Apex controller but no more space on energy bar. Suggestions please. Thank you.

 

[143MPCo]

Adding another heater is a great way to split the difference between it to maintain a tank in a relatively stable temperature.

I would review what outlets you have that are continuously on and move those to a plug that does not need to be turned off and on throughout the day allowing you to control the heater via the apex and not the internal control mechanism of the heater .

 

[143MPCo]

You might already know this but, you should consider placing the heater downstream of the actual temperature probe so as you're getting true water temp.

 

[mcarroll]

Noticing my 300 watt Finnex is not keeping temperature steady. Temperature fluctuating by about three degrees at night Thinking of adding an additional heater. My tank is Red Sea Reefer 350 so 72 gallons with 18 gallon sump. I have an Apex controller but no more space on energy bar. Suggestions please. Thank you.

Where is your heater?

 

[mmw64]

In the sump.

 

[mmw64]

You might already know this but, you should consider placing the heater downstream of the actual temperature probe so as you're getting true water temp.

No I didn't, thank you.

 

[Lovemycj7]

if you think your heater is malfunctioning just replace it with a new one.

you can free up a spot on the energy bar by connecting multiple peices of equipment to a power strip. For example I have 2 reactors i run on a power strip and takes up only one spot on the EB.

 

[mcarroll]

In the sump.

Unless you insulate the sump and return plumbing (which I am not suggesting), there's a crazy amount of heat loss between the sump and display.

Because of that, and general safety*, I heartily recommend a heater in the display.

300 watts is kinda long, but if you can hide it well enough, then go for it and move than up to the display. Otherwise, you might prefer two 150 watt heaters that are only 12".

Them put a little 75 or 100 watt heater down in the sump.

If you keep the 300 watt heater in the sump, you can probably get away with a much smaller heater in the display, except for that emergency scenario where it might have to heat the whole tank.

You can also take measures to reduce evaporation – that'll cut back on heat loss from radiation as well as evaporative cooling.

2¢

* What if your return pump fails? It happens.

 

[mmw64]

Unless you insulate the sump and return plumbing (which I am not suggesting), there's a crazy amount of heat loss between the sump and display.

Because of that, and general safety*, I heartily recommend a heater in the display.

300 watts is kinda long, but if you can hide it well enough, then go for it and move than up to the display. Otherwise, you might prefer two 150 watt heaters that are only 12".

Them put a little 75 or 100 watt heater down in the sump.

If you keep the 300 watt heater in the sump, you can probably get away with a much smaller heater in the display, except for that emergency scenario where it might have to heat the whole tank.

You can also take measures to reduce evaporation – that'll cut back on heat loss from radiation as well as evaporative cooling.

2¢

* What if your return pump fails? It happens.

Thank you.