IM helio heater issues

[Davesreef’s]

I have an innovative marine helio heater that has been giving me issues the past couple days. It hasn’t been able to keep my 15 gal at 78…I have it set to 78 and have had zero issues the past year. Through summer, winter fall and spring. But now it has been letting my tank get down to 75 or so and I don’t know why it allows that to happen. I have the low alarm set to 76 and the high at 80. Again I’ve had zero issues the past year until now…any thoughts? I’m away at school right now and can’t get back home for a couple days, my dad has helped but I know I need to figure something out so this doesn’t continue to happen. My tank was at 78 since last Christmas when I got the heaters. I’m fairly concerned for my torches in the tank as the constantly fluctuations might take them out.

 

[Lavey29]

Can you post a pic of how you have the heaters and probe set up? I've had zero issues for 5 years.

Have you talked to IM. They are generally responsive on the phone. Maybe your temp probe is fouled.

 

[Davesreef’s]

Can you post a pic of how you have the heaters and probe set up? I've had zero issues for 5 years.

Sorry this is the best I have right now, I can get more when I go back home this weekend. But I have the heating element in the chamber next to my fleece roller, under the dosing holders. And the thermometer probe is in the following return chamber near the blue light on the right side. I loved the heater the past year as my tank stayed constant at 78 until now.

 

[Davesreef’s]

Can you post a pic of how you have the heaters and probe set up? I've had zero issues for 5 years.

Have you talked to IM. They are generally responsive on the phone. Maybe your temp probe is fouled.

I haven’t talked yet, this is a fairly new issue and if needed I’ll reach out this weekend. I’ve read a lot of good things about their response time and willingness to help/replace parts.

 

[Lavey29]

Sorry this is the best I have right now, I can get more when I go back home this weekend. But I have the heating element in the chamber next to my fleece roller, under the dosing holders. And the thermometer probe is in the following return chamber near the blue light on the right side. I loved the heater the past year as my tank stayed constant at 78 until now.

Has your flow through the back chambers decreased? Either fro coralline build up or your return pump being dirty and slowing down?

I went ahead and replaced my temp probe after 3 years just as preventative maintenance. Have you cleaned your probe?

I would try moving the probe maybe inside the tank for a day and see if temp fluctuations continues.

 

[Davesreef’s]

Sorry this is the best I have right now, I can get more when I go back home this weekend. But I have the heating element in the chamber next to my fleece roller, under the dosing holders. And the thermometer probe is in the following return chamber near the blue light on the right side. I loved the heater the past year as my tank stayed constant at 78 until now.

Has your flow through the back chambers decreased? Either fro coralline build up or your return pump being dirty and slowing down?

I went ahead and replaced my temp probe after 3 years just as preventative maintenance. Have you cleaned your probe?

I would try moving the probe maybe inside the tank for a day and see if temp fluctuations continues.

I checked my return pump the other day as it stopped for some reason. I cleaned it and it’s been running since. I also cleaned the probe and heating element with a simple wipe down and made sure any algae came off. I like the idea of moving the probe to the display section. I really appreciate you taking the time to help!

 

[Davesreef’s]

Sorry this is the best I have right now, I can get more when I go back home this weekend. But I have the heating element in the chamber next to my fleece roller, under the dosing holders. And the thermometer probe is in the following return chamber near the blue light on the right side. I loved the heater the past year as my tank stayed constant at 78 until now.

Has your flow through the back chambers decreased? Either fro coralline build up or your return pump being dirty and slowing down?

I went ahead and replaced my temp probe after 3 years just as preventative maintenance. Have you cleaned your probe?

I would try moving the probe maybe inside the tank for a day and see if temp fluctuations continues.

I checked my return pump the other day as it stopped for some reason. I cleaned it and it’s been running since. I also cleaned the probe and heating element with a simple wipe down and made sure any algae came off. I like the idea of moving the probe to the display section. I really appreciate you taking the time to help!

I think I should increase the flow in the back, I’ll move the ato sensor lower to allow more. My tank is back to 78 again. I’m just concerned with the constant fluctuations

 

[Lavey29]

I checked my return pump the other day as it stopped for some reason. I cleaned it and it’s been running since. I also cleaned the probe and heating element with a simple wipe down and made sure any algae came off. I like the idea of moving the probe to the display section. I really appreciate you taking the time to help!

My probe is in my fuge. Sometimes when my chaeto is really big, the sensor alarm goes off indicating restricted flow. Its easily remedied but cutting my chaeto back but I could also see how limited flow my actually affect an accurate temp reading too. I would still call IM tech help.

 

[Davesreef’s]

I checked my return pump the other day as it stopped for some reason. I cleaned it and it’s been running since. I also cleaned the probe and heating element with a simple wipe down and made sure any algae came off. I like the idea of moving the probe to the display section. I really appreciate you taking the time to help!

My probe is in my fuge. Sometimes when my chaeto is really big, the sensor alarm goes off indicating restricted flow. Its easily remedied but cutting my chaeto back but I could also see how limited flow my actually affect an accurate temp reading too. I would still call IM tech help.

Sounds good. Appreciate everything!

 

[Lavey29]

Sounds good. Appreciate everything!

Youre welcome, And a couple degrees either way won't harm your corals. The ocean fluctuates constantly.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My probe is in my fuge. Sometimes when my chaeto is really big, the sensor alarm goes off indicating restricted flow. Its easily remedied but cutting my chaeto back but I could also see how limited flow my actually affect an accurate temp reading too. I would still call IM tech help.

I would not recommend placing the probe and the heater in different compartments. If a pumps fails, the heater will not work as expected and could easily overheat the water where the heater is, causing catastrophe when the pump comes back on.

 

[Davesreef’s]

Sounds good. Appreciate everything!

And a couple degrees either way won't harm your corals. The ocean fluctuates constantly.

I’m just worried if it completely fails…I’ve had a heater in the past completely overheat and caused everything in my tank to die. At least 1k of corals gone overnight. Which is why I went with a quality heater this time for every tank.

 

[Lavey29]

I’m just worried if it completely fails…I’ve had a heater in the past completely overheat and caused everything in my tank to die. At least 1k of corals gone overnight. Which is why I went with a quality heater this time for every tank.

Thats always the main concern with any heat unit in a tank. No way to control every aspect 24 7 but addressing the issue early on like you're doing should be successful. Helio is pretty darn bullet proof. Just call IM first thing and run it by them. Those guys might just send you a new temp probe for free. Im sure you did a power off reboot to for the control module.

 

[Davesreef’s]

I’m just worried if it completely fails…I’ve had a heater in the past completely overheat and caused everything in my tank to die. At least 1k of corals gone overnight. Which is why I went with a quality heater this time for every tank.

Thats always the main concern with any heat unit in a tank. No way to control every aspect 24 7 but addressing the issue early on like you're doing should be successful. Helio is pretty darn bullet proof. Just call IM first thing and run it by them. Those guys might just send you a new temp probe for free. Im sure you did a power off reboot to for the control module.

Sent an email around midnight last night and they got back to me this morning around 10am. So far just discussing the issue and my house temp etc. really appreciate your time!! God bless and enjoy the holidays!

 

[Lavey29]

Sent an email around midnight last night and they got back to me this morning around 10am. So far just discussing the issue and my house temp etc. really appreciate your time!! God bless and enjoy the holidays!

You're welcome Sir. Im sure it will get resolved quickly. The temp probes aren't expensive and never hurts to have an extra. Try it in the main tank near the surface and see if you get positive results. If you do then it just might be flow restrictions in those small rear compartments. IM will know for sure. Merry Christmas to you and your family.