The Heat is On (In-line or Submersible)

[mredman]

After spending the last 12 years with reef tanks, I was only concerned about how to cool an aquarium.

Now that my next project is a high-tech planted tank, heat is an issue that needs to be addressed.

My aquarium is 135 gallons but after the substrate, wood and rocks, the actual water volume will be close to 100 gallons. Finnex Ray2 lighting will be used, which will add minimal heat during the day.

For aesthetic purposes, I want as little equipment to be showing in the tank. It may be an overkill, but I will be using a 500 series Aquatop canister with UV and a Eheim 2217. Unfortunately, the Aquatop has 3/4 inch i.d. tubing, which will not facilitate the external CO2 system (Green Leaf Aquariums). No manufacturer currently makes a CO2 system compatible for 3/4" hosing. Rather than discard the Aquatop System, it will be used in tandem with the Eheim system. Another goal is crystal clear water.

It is a fact that canister filters generate heat, and two of them should be additive.

My question is:

I would like to use the 300 watt in-line Hydor heater, the biggest in-line heater currently on the market. Ambient temperature is normally around 72 F, and therefore the general "five watts per gallon" rule may not apply due to other sources of heat generated from lights and the canisters. What do you think of using the in-line Hydor system? I have a 400 watt and 150 watt submersible for backup but I would prefer no "machinery" in the tank if possible other than the siphon tubes from the external filters.

Mike

[ptran]

The inline heater is great especially when you don't want to see an ugly regular heater in your tank. It might cost a little bit more thoug. I would still get the 5w/gallon heater. With the heat generated from the canister filters, the heater would come on less often.

[mredman]

I would still get the 5w/gallon heater. With the heat generated from the canister filters, the heater would come on less often.

There is no manufacturer that makes an inline heater greater than 300 watts. As a backup, I do have the submersibles but I hope not to use them.

Mike

[ptran]

Can you do 2 heaters? One for each canister. You probably only need a heater during winter anyway in Texas!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mredman]

Can you do 2 heaters? One for each canister.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Aquatop Canister has 3/4 inch tubing so there are no options to use it for an inline heater or a CO2 system. I believe the heat generated by two canister systems and the lights will go a long way with one 300 watt inline heater.

I will find out soon...

Mike

[ptran]

I agree that would probably be enough heat even during the winter months.

[Streetbob]

If the single inline 300 watt Hydor heater isn't enough to heat your big tank you can do what I did and get a few plastic barbed reducing couplers to reduce the 3/4" line to 5/8" and install your heater then bring the line back up to 3/4". Plus the return line on the Eheim 2217 is 1/2", that's why I had to expand it to 5/8" to add the Hydor ETH 300 then reduce it back down to 1/2" unless you plan on adding it to the pre filter line. Here's a link for a adapter and if you need a few for the Eheim pm me because I have plenty. http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/231496536993

[mredman]

Heaters

I was surprised that I did not require a heater at all. The heat generated by two canister filters, LED lighting combined with T8 fluorescents with a canopy holding the heat keeps my temperature at 79F to 81F degrees. I also installed a blower in the event the temperature exceeds 81F. The blower lowers the tank temperature about two degrees.

However, I do have a submersible heater installed in the event that the temperature would drop but is probably useless because if the canisteer filters failed, it would be due to a power outage, which would equally affect the heater.

Mike

If the single inline 300 watt Hydor heater isn't enough to heat your big tank you can do what I did and get a few plastic barbed reducing couplers to reduce the 3/4" line to 5/8" and install your heater then bring the line back up to 3/4". Plus the return line on the Eheim 2217 is 1/2", that's why I had to expand it to 5/8" to add the Hydor ETH 300 then reduce it back down to 1/2" unless you plan on adding it to the pre filter line. Here's a link for a adapter and if you need a few for the Eheim pm me because I have plenty. http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/231496536993

[ptran]

My heater is on only when I do water change. Heat from canister filter is usually adequate to keep the temp around 78-80 even during winter months.

[Austy16414]

You can also make a custom inline heater using PVC and any size heater you can fit. Here's a link of the concept: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/20...eater-56k.html