Heaters???

[incysor]

I'm just curious how many of you are using heaters, and if you are, why?

The reason I ask, is that I've never had a heater on any of my tanks. Nearly all the tanks from the large ones to the small ones go through a 2-5 degree swing during the course of the day with lights switching on and off. I've talked it over with a couple people locally that I trust, and they said that most marine tanks don't really need them, that marine livestock has a much higher tolerence for temp swings than freshwater livestock does. Personally I don't think they're very important as long as the tank is in a place where the ambient temp is fairly stable.

So what do yall think?

B

 

[mikeguerrero]

I think heaters in mini reef tanks are overkill but just a safety precaution. I have one 50 watt EBO Jagger in each nano that is set with the dial on 77 degrees.

However, over the course of time I've noticed that my heater against my digital temp gauge is different.

The problem I would get is during a water change. When I re-enter the new batch of water, it's sometimes cooler than my tank water and it fires up the heater to the on position.

It doesnt' shut off even after my digital temp says 80 degrees, now thats 3 degrees pushing the enevlope already.

So I've pushed down the temp setting to 74 degrees and now it doesn't turn on and stay on too long past what I want.

End result is move those dials down, they are not that accurate, the water movement in the back of a cube takes a while to equalize. So rather than let them heat up too much, I rather just prevent it from dropping below 75 degrees.

So bottom line, the heater is just to bring up the water to par, during a water change, since my house never gets cold even in the winter.

I even think the constant powerheads moving the current generate heat and keep our tanks at a constant degree.

Good subject to bring up, B......

Mike

 

[dragon79]

i voted...

on some. I have one in the 12 gallon (Sandra's tank) and I do "NOT" have one in the 6 gallon. The tank is on my computer desk, and also near where the place is at a stable temperature. Also with the combination of the lights itself and the air pump, it goes up to 80 degrees the warmest, and down to 77 or 76 in the evening. With working with the smaller tank it doesn't take long to bring back up to that temperature as your dealing with less water. The 12 gallon can take a little time, so the heater is left in there to help bring the temperature up when water changes are being done.

 

[RedParrotBubbles85]

I really dont use a heater because its just one extra thing to worry about if it goes wrong so i dont use one. i also have mh so the temp is generally preetty warm to begin with so it is not really needed for me.

 

[YMCA]

Personally i would never run a tank without a heater, i think it is just peace of mind for me

Josh

 

[skipm]

I use a heater in all of my tanks, partly to help prevent excessive temperature swings and also because I keep the heat in the house set fairly low (partly because I am hot natured and partly because I am cheap).

 

[djconn]

I ran my tanks without heaters for about two years before I really started to pay attention to the temperature swings that I was seeing. At my old house, where the temperature was more stable (better AC/heating unit), I didn't notice such big temp. swings.

At my new place, I observed my tanks going from 68-69 deg. at night during the winter, back up to 77-80 deg. during the day. Ten to twelve degrees is a big temperature swing in my opinion and I know corals in the ocean don't deal with temperature fluctuations that big. I decided to put small heater in both my 20 and 5.5 gallon tanks and I've got them set at 78 degrees.

I don't think I ever observed my corals actually being hurt from temp swings, other than being fully retracted when it got below 70, but I do feel that they are doing better with a stable temperature now. I was having problems keeping a monti cap alive in my 5.5 and a LFS owner (Kenny) suggested that it was due to temp fluctuations in my tank. I think he was right.

Also, I do feel peace of mind when I leave for a couple days b/c I can turn the heater completely off in my house and the tanks will be fine.

 

[mikeguerrero]

DJ,

Swings of temp are really bad, if they occur suddenly. But gradual swing over many hours can be tolerated by many corals and fish. But a heater is always the best bet to avoid bottom drops in temps.

Mike

 

[n3m3ss1s]

I do feel peace of mind when I leave for a couple days b/c I can turn the heater completely off in my house and the tanks will be fine.

+1

 

[ghostbear29]

since I got a new heater, I could not be happier. The temp is spot on at 78 and Evap is lower on my open hood tank. yippee. Also my ph is finally stabilizing. Adding buffer every 2 weeks sucks.

 

[JakeKM]

Its just a possible chance of the water going to cold and killing various livestock such as corals, eliminated.

But then again i do live in England.