Browsing around the net looking for inline heaters I came across an idea for external heater modules, I modified a bit, added some safety features and resized for the bigger flow and power. So basically its 1" line from the filter to 1 1/2 then bushed up to 2" for where the heaters sit, I went with both on the outlet since i didnt want to risk overheating the pump in a heater failure or having one work more then the other if its heating the water on the inlet it prob wont cool down enough to turn the one on the outlet on. But on my next one I think im going to run a single 4" pipe and put the heaters in the one cap. Its just hard to figure the water is running evenly through both pipes right? Possible but unlikely. There installed and running and work great. tanks stable and no leaks, beauty of it is if one fails you can remove and replace. The nice thing about having individual pipes is you could run shutoffs after the y's and shut that line off for heater repair but again you run the risk of not having even flow if there not exactly the same. Right??? Ive run the schematic in my head lots, im a mechanic and when i think of pipeing i relate it to hydraulics and well im still miffed on it. Water will run the path of least resistance and having the outlets connected to the same outlet the pressures should be the exact same right? so the flow should be the same through each right? then i start thinking that i have to be missing something, thats why im thinking of the single module, but the problem is if one heater screws up, your shutting 2 down to service the heater, and you have to wait for the silicone to dry before running up again. this could be an issue if your only running 2, My plans is to run at least 4 in my next tank so it wouldnt be a catastrophe but on smaller tanks youd be running for your suction cups quick if one failed. i do love not looking at them in the tank tho. Just gotta work at hiding the pump stuff now.
