who's got there heater unplugged? (1 Viewer)

[slojim]

I set this particular 110g tank up last summer, and didn't even bother to install heaters until November. This spring, I unplugged them to put a new connector on the temperature probe, and they remain unplugged. Can't fail if they aren't running. My house is usually around 77, cools off a little more in the evening but the tank seems to stay stable. I do have a separate temperature controller, but I feel like heaters are one of those things that can go bad unpredictably - and now I can predict with certainty it won't happen until I plug them in. I do know there are folks who just swap them out every year or 2. In my experience, the failures are a little too random so if I have one that works, I'd prefer not to swap it with one that might not.
I used to live in Va >20 yrs ago and a cool front came through one night with the windows open, and my heater could not keep up - lost a few things. But that's not happening here.

As a bonus, if I bring water change water inside a day early, then my DT, QT, and new water are all close to the same temperature.

 

[gregg]

If you really feel that your tank temp doesn’t fluctuate and feel safe not having a heater... why not just put the heater in there anyway as a backup? If it’s not coming on and off then it’s not wearing out much.

Why be worried about the heater failing if your tank is stable and it’s not turning on anyway.... or is it?

 

[reeftopia]

Ive heard of numerous people being wiped out by a stuck heater. Had it happen on a fresh water tank when I was young. Problem to me leaving it on
in the summer if it does malfunction it doesnt take much to overheat the tank. I say why take the chance. A good advice is have 2 undersized heaters.
If one goes haywire its not enough to overheat the tank and the other one cuts off.

 

[mittens]

Agreed with having two heaters. I had two 800w finnex titanium’s for my 333g. Ambient temp was always 67-68deg so my heaters were definitely being used. Apex temp controlled 77.3-77.6. No fluctuated whatsoever. Big big BUT... I have all of my heaters controlled by a Ranco’s that are set 1 deg higher than what I wanted on my Apex. Then from there let the apex do it’s thing.


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[slojim]

The other common failure mode is a seal leak, that can happen on or off. And i do have 2 undersized heaters, backed up with a bayite. I didn't really set out to leave them unplugged, but after pulling the cords out, i have no compelling reason to put them back in. Probably stay that way until the fall.
No complaints from the livestock.
I have lived in the mid west a few times. Seems like the heaters were always on.

 

[Reefahholic]

Cody is the only one running heat in the summer months. J/K...

I think it just depends how stable you want the tank as far as swing and what your A/C runs at. Every house is completely different. All the lighting and pumps make each system unique.

 

[RobertP]

Yeah I unplugged my heaters a couple months ago but then again my sump and tank is in the garage and never gets below 80 right now.

 

[Reefahholic]

All my heaters are unplugged. LOL.