[Randy1]

I’m having trouble keeping my tank at an optimal temperature. I have a 90Gal. Plumbed into the basement where my sump is located. The basement is heated but a little cooler than the rest of the house. I’m using a new 300watt heater in the sump. I currently have the heater set to 88degrees at the tank is barely 78 degrees. Anyone else have this situation?

Thanks

[Steven Pro]

How much water is the return pump shooting back into the tank? And, what is the temperature of the water in the sump?

[Randy1]

The sump Temp. Is 79 degrees and the tank is measured in the overflow chamber using Pin Point wireless thermometer that is reading 78 degrees. My water flow through the sump is approx. 700 GPH. I have about 2 more clicks to turn up left on the heater then it’s maxed out. I would like to reach a steady 80 degrees. I really thought this 300-watt heater would heat this system with no problem.

[BubbaWPB]

I'm sure the heater would get the water hotter with lower flow, but that's usually not the best solution since we all try to maximize flow.

You could also consider a second heater... that way, if one heater craps out on you in the middle of the night, your fish won't freeze. ....and the fact that one heater keeps it at 78, lets you know if one heater gets stuck in the "on" postion, you won't wake up to bouillabaise.

[Meric]

Something seems wrong. I use (2) 150w heaters for my 120, plus 50 gallon sump. I have my tank in the basement, which is easily 10 to 12 degrees cooler than the upstairs (and it winter here, 40 degrees outside). I have 1000GPH going through my sump and I never have a temp problem. I keep my heaters @ 73F and they keep the tank @ 78F.

A lot of heaters that I have purchased seem to have problems with the thermostat on them. Have you tried putting your heater into a controlled enviroment (ie: 30 Gallon trash can full of water, set to 78F and see what the actually temp reads) to see if it is heating properly at all?

[Steven Pro]

I agree with Meric sentiment. Something does not seem right here. I would guess the heater is not functioning correctly.

[Poseidon]

I concur, try a different heater. They are pretty cheap, and worst case scenario is you end up with a redundant system.

This however has given one more reason for me to put a sump together in the basement, I'll bet my chiller won't have to work so hard if I had 60-70 gallons worth of Fuge down there.

[Reefland]

I would also suggest getting a second, 300w heater. If the first one is bad the second one will handle it and if neither can keep up alone then together they ought to do the job.