Heater question

jcoopcycle · Jan 8, 2017

I have noticed this morning that my tank temps are running a little cooler than normal. We have had a( very) cold snap here the last few days. My heater (finnex ) with remote being controlled through apex 2016 on 78.1 off 79.1 my temps through the night stayed near 77.9 . I know the home air temps are a little cooler than normal (we keep the house at 70 but I'm sure the room tank is in is cooler than that) I know that little bit of temp change is not really a big swing but I would think my apex would control that. Just a question

SteveSTL · Jan 8, 2017

It depends upon the size of your heater. What wattage is it and what size tank?

It may be that it's undersized or not working at 100% so even though it was on the entire time, it couldn't overcome the cold snap.

The general consensus is that it's best to have 2 smaller heaters rather than 1 big one. That way, if 1 goes out, the other can still work to keep the reef warm enough until you can replace the heater. On the other side of the coin, if one heater flips out, a big one can cook the tank while a smaller one can't do nearly as much harm. Even in my little 27, I run 2 heaters just in case.

jcoopcycle · Jan 8, 2017

I have just one finnex 500 in a 125. It's odd my apex says it is on but if I check sometimes the heater is on (red led) but sometimes it is not although apex says it's on. Do not know if apex is telling me that plug in 832 is hot or what is really going on. Seems like the apex turns it on and off frequently

jcoopcycle · Jan 8, 2017

I just physical watched the heater turn on at 78 and turned back off one minute later

SteveSTL · Jan 8, 2017

Did the Apex do that or did the Apex show it was on the longer than the one minute?

If longer, do you have a spare heater to swap out and see if the heater is the problem?