That's why I made it so you could pick multiple answers .
I can't ever see/answer the polls on Tapatalk :/
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That's why I made it so you could pick multiple answers .
I have my most accurate temp controller probe in the tank itself. I also have a separate thermometer in the sump. I keep a 300 watt Eheim heater in the overflow and another 200 watt in the sump.
The sump temp is always a few degrees higher (about 4) than the tank. So I'm guessing that if your temp controller is based in the sump, that the tank is actually colder by a few degrees (unless the heaters are in the tank)
This poll doesn't apply to small AIO tanks.
The way I see it the only place the temp really matters is in the display which is why I place the thermometer I care about in the overflow. IMO the overflow is the most accurate indicator of DT temp because of the turnover rate through it directly from the display. You could put it in the display as well but it is more likely to be effected there by warm water from the return (assuming you have heaters in the sump) and then it's visible in the DT which I don't like. To me the best place for a heater is in the sump because the smaller body of water should be easier to heat (depending on flow) than the large display or the high turnover of the overflow. That way the heater will continue to heat the water in sump to be returned to the display until the overflow see's the temp its looking for. Just need to balance flow rates though the sump to keep the temps consistent, if the sump is several degrees higher then you might need to increase flow.
With the temp controller and heater being in different areas yes there are issues that could arise but if you lose power etc then the heater should end up off too preventing any kind of overheating issue. If you lose just the return pump that could cause an issue but as long as they're fed from the same power source that should be mitigated unless the pump failed but some risk is always accepted and I'm fine with that one.
My 90g DT/40g sump only have a .2F difference in temperature. Heaters are in 2nd section of sump, temp probe is in the 1st (drain). I think your heaters may be underpowered if you have that much of a difference.
Temp probe in the first part of sump on a GHL Profilux controller. 2 Eheim 300W in the last part of sump with the return pump. Heaters are set at 80F on the heater, but the controller is set at 78F. That way, if the controller fails, the heaters fail safe at 80F. I also have the controller pulse the heaters so that they are never on too long. Never had a problem here in Canada!
Just out of curiosity, have you double checked the gun against a thermometer to see if it's accurate? I've never seen someone use one of those for an aquarium before. They work through liquids?
The GHL Profilux controller lets me turn on my heaters for 2 minutes, rest 30 seconds, on for 2 minutes, etc.How do you "pulse" the heaters? Usually the controller turns them on when needed and off when temp is reached?