[GaryZ]

I'm gearing up for winter with my new tank. Very little life presently, as I'm cycling. But I would like to have the heat issue under control before it becomes a major issue. I am currently cycling a 130 gallon tank. Is a 200 watt heater enought to heat this thing. It's all I have atm. I plan on running 2 heaters eventually to avoid catastrophe, but does my current heater have enough power to keep up with my present volume of water?

BTW....This my first post on this forum and I just want to say, as an aspiring reefer, I've been haunting alot of other message boards in search of information. So far you forum is head and shoulders above the others.


EDIT:

I just calculated that I need about 800 watts to properly heat my tank. Does this sound about right? If so, would it be a good idea to pick up 2 500 watt heaters?

[yankeebobo]

My FIRST thought was that 200W was not nearly enough. I was going to go with 500W. But according to your calculations, even that was off.

[CaveManNOhio]

I have two 250 watt heaters in my refuge for my 125. This will be my first winter with my reef tank. I'm also calculating my three 250 watt MH lights in has a heat factor. Plus I may turn my Chiller up a little to help heat the tank.
I know I have to get my tank set up on it's own cirrcut though before winter. Because I found that when my heaters kick on with every thing else running my cirrcut breaker kicks.

[CaveManNOhio]

Correction, I just looked, they are 200 watt heaters. Sorry

[yankeebobo]

Ultimately, you are going to want to keep the water around the heater circulated. I would prob put another heater in the tank. But make sure that they don't stay stagnant behind the LR scape and the "warm pockets" stay low. ALl of this will prob be no good if the power heads are up above with no circulation below. Put one power head lower to move the warm water around. Keep an eye on the temp and be ready to make adjustments.

[CaveManNOhio]

The way I set my heaters up in my refuge is one is in the end where the water comes in and the other is at the other end with the return pump to the tank.

[Ninong]

A few things to consider:

• The ambient room temperature affects the amount of heating capacity you will need. If the room temperature never drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need less heating capacity than you would if the room temperature dips to 48 degrees Fahrenheit.

• You already have "heaters" in your tank: All of the pumps and powerheads are heaters and the lights are heaters, especially if they are metal halide.

• An acrylic tank requires less heating capacity than a glass tank because it is a better insulator and holds heat longer.

I have a 123-gal tank with a 22-gal sump. I have a 200w heater in the sump and it only comes on for very short periods late at night in the winter.

P.S. -- I think two 200w heaters would be more than enough to heat your 130-gal tank in Michigan unless you sleep with the windows open.

[CaveManNOhio]

Originally Posted by Ninong

A few things to consider:

• The ambient room temperature affects the amount of heating capacity you will need. If the room temperature never drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need less heating capacity than you would if the room temperature dips to 48 degrees Fahrenheit.

• You already have "heaters" in your tank: All of the pumps and powerheads are heaters and the lights are heaters, especially if they are metal halide.

• An acrylic tank requires less heating capacity than a glass tank because it is a better insulator and holds heat longer.

I have a 123-gal tank with a 22-gal sump. I have a 200w heater in the sump and it only comes on for very short periods late at night in the winter.

P.S. -- I think two 200w heaters would be more than enough to heat your 130-gal tank in Michigan unless you sleep with the windows open.

Very good points, on the equipment being heaters. I always knew that was part of my temp problems as well. I have two pumps that run 24/7 in the refuge, a Dolphin Pump sitting right next to it on the out side for the CLS and then the Chiller and finally three ballast for the lights. All this equipment is lined up with in a 72" space. Right now I keep 3 of the 4 doors closed. I keep the one in front of the chiller open for circulation purposes. Before we got the chiller I had to keep all the doors open just to keep it below 100 deg. You could walk by the tank and feel the heat coming off the glass. Now it is nice cool feeling.
During the winter we keep our heat set around 72-74 deg. F. I really don't expect my heaters to run that much if at all.

[Reefland]

I would agree that 2-200w heaters would be more than enough and also provide you with backup heat just incase one fails.

[Poseidon]

I had 2 300W in my 135 with a 55 gallon fuge and all was well! IN my 90 I have 1 200W and I don't think the thing EVER comes on! Well maybe once winter gets here it will....

[GaryZ]

As time goes on, my concern is starting to shift towards a chiller. We don't have air conditioning and I'm starting to think that maintaining a 81-82 temp is gonna be very tough. Those things are really expensive **sigh**

[Reefland]

Yeah you might be better off trying to invest in a window A/C unit to try and reduce the ambient room temperature first.

[GaryZ]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Yeah you might be better off trying to invest in a window A/C unit to try and reduce the ambient room temperature first.

Plus, I'd have a nice cool place to kick back.

[Steven Pro]

I use two 250 watt units on my 120.