Heater placement

[RudeBoy]

I currently have a CPR Bak Pak skimmer on my 30g tank. I'm curious to know if I can place my heater in one of the chambers of my skimmer and have it still be effective. I'm trying to free up as much space in my tank as possible for cosmetic reasons without putting my fish in jeopardy. Any opinions on this?

[icemark]

If you place it in a chamber that has bubbles it will artificially cool down the water around the heater and the heater will be on more often.

You would want to avoid that just from a wearout & electricty bill stand point, and also avaoid allowing the heater to touch the sides of the skimmer, as it would melt through the plastic relatively quickly.

[CaptainK]

Hi RudeBoy,
I have mine placed in the chamber that does not have all of the bubbles in it. So far so good.
But I had never thought about the heater being able to melt the sides of the backpak. I will have to check on that, thanks Icemark!!

-CaptK

[RudeBoy]

Melting plastic - not good! I'll try it in the very last chamber for a week or so just to see what the outcome will be.

[Reinhold]

RudeBoy:

I have my 200 watt heater in the return chamber of my Remora Pro skimmer, and I've had absolutely no problems with temperature control or melting of plastic.

The flow around the heater actually increases the efficiency of the heater. There are no bubbles in the return chamber of my skimmer.

[orion25]

While we are on the topic of heaters, can anyone reccommend a good brand and size for a 55g tank. It will be placed in a 10g sump. I have a visatherm right now but it is not in the tank. I take my heaters out in the summer to avoid disaster. I live in Alabama and there is not even a remote chance of me needing a heater from May to September. I am almost ready to put one back in and it is time for a replacement so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Ryan

[mastaJ]

ORION...I would recommend the Ebo-Jager brand...I have had one for about a year and a half and it hasn't gone up or down .5 of a degree from the set temp. unless the room is warmer of course...Unfortunetly it is also the most expensive...a small price to pay for the quality, two thumbs up HTH

[Reinhold]

orion25:

I have an Ebo-Jager 200 watt heater in my 55+. Works great.