Why Can't people just mount the heater horizontally below the w/c line?
Why Can't people just mount the heater horizontally below the w/c line?
Marc
Yes, I have both set to the desired temp., with a heater at each end of the tank.
Should be fine.
I have some mounted this way. On my 30" deep tanks, I tend to mount them vertically because I can reach them to adjust temp. easier with my short arms.
Darrell
I have pretty long arms (I'm 6'1 tall) but I too can't reach the bottom of my tank it's very deep. I like the idea of putting the heaters horizontal at the bottom but my cords are just too short to do that without a extension cord.
Rich, just put them on the bottom and turn them off at each change and you should be golden. I used to be an IT guy too (Linux Systems Admin), paranoia is a way of life with computers but I got too bored doing the same things everyday, and finding out that most of the programmers just were downloading gigabytes of porn everyday( Imagine telling that to the boss).
Last edited by underwaterforest; 03-11-2010 at 04:26 PM.
Alex 92 Gallon Discus Corner Tank, 55 gallon Discus Grow Up Tank, 20 gallon Shrimp/Plant Tank, 36 Gallon Corner Planted/Fish Tank, 29 Gallon Breeding Tank
so what are you doing these days, if you don't mind me asking? I used to support universities on UNIX systems like, 10 years ago... been a while since I've seen a UNIX based system. I've worked with Linux (Red Hat), HP UX, and Solaris, at one time or another.
dude... I bet that show called Eureka on SyFy gets its highest ratings in your town! LOL...
-Rich
I unplug mine just because I am paranoid of getting electrocuted!
Last edited by underwaterforest; 03-12-2010 at 04:28 AM. Reason: del info
Alex 92 Gallon Discus Corner Tank, 55 gallon Discus Grow Up Tank, 20 gallon Shrimp/Plant Tank, 36 Gallon Corner Planted/Fish Tank, 29 Gallon Breeding Tank
.......................... Marineland Stealth heaters are just fine , Have the old ones and some new ones. Really like the new type. Marineland's customer service is one of the Best .
Roberto.
I did this too with one of my Via Aqua glass heaters when i did my first WC with it the day after installation...the holder is fused to it permanently now so I am now very careful about switching the power strip off. I used to use the Marineland Stealth heaters, and the auto shut off worked very well for 6 years with no problems, so I just wasn't in the habit of switching heaters off for WCs. Well, one gave me a shock one day, so away they went. When I have some cash available, I will replace the Via Aquas with Jagers for my 90g- the Kensfish price is awesome compared to LFS.
Colin
In addition to Jager heaters, I also use finnex hc-0800 heater controllers from Kensfish. Once the heaters are calibrated, I set 'em to 88-90F, plug 'em into a controller, use that to actually control the tank temp at a lower setting. If the indicated temp on the ATI liquid crystal thermometers were to jump up to 88-90F, I'd know the controller had failed. The controllers are rated for 800W, so a power splitter allows for control of multiple heaters, using cords like these-
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_41oypcoglb_b
I'm sure that the Ranco controllers are better, at 3X the money, but the finnex seem to work fine and provide backup against runaway heaters plus easy adjustability. I cooked a tankful ofyoung discus long ago, and don't want to repeat that...
Nobody claimed this would be cheap, and an aquarium system is only as good as the weakest component, which is usually the heater...
Not sure if it is applicable, but I used to use a Ranco controller on my mini- fridge for home brew. The controller was nice with the changeable differential and such, but it only lasted 6 months before it died. As previously said if it is electrical it is always a crap shoot, that is why I like companies with good customer service.
Last edited by underwaterforest; 03-12-2010 at 04:37 AM.
Alex 92 Gallon Discus Corner Tank, 55 gallon Discus Grow Up Tank, 20 gallon Shrimp/Plant Tank, 36 Gallon Corner Planted/Fish Tank, 29 Gallon Breeding Tank