Heating help

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RemainVayne

RemainVayne

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Sep 26, 2017
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360g acrylic tank with a 90g sump in an unfinished basement that is usually around 60*-65* in the winter. I'm trying to heat my tank to 81*, but my tank is pretty much only getting up to about 78* and no higher.

I have a total of 1250w of heat between 4 heaters. I'm also running a 4gph cold water drip, which doesn't help the heat situation but sure helps the fish.

Is my problem that the basement is too cold and I'm trying to heat the tank too high above ambient? Am I not running enough wattage as I'm only at about 3wpg? Tank and sump are covered.

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.
 
Thought would be a unfinished basement that’s not insulated. Lots of heat loss. Could get a dehumidifier and it’ll raise the temp 2-3degrees. Maybe reduce the drip rate down.

Tape some foam/insulation around the tank except the front. Atleast till the basement is insulated and finished.
 
kno4te said:
Thought would be a unfinished basement that’s not insulated. Lots of heat loss. Could get a dehumidifier and it’ll raise the temp 2-3degrees. Maybe reduce the drip rate down.

Tape some foam/insulation around the tank except the front. Atleast till the basement is insulated and finished.
Click to expand...
Correct on the unfinished and not insulated part. Already have a dehumidifier too...

I just went down to check on things and noticed my brand new eheim Jager keeps turning off on its own. It'll turn back on if I just tap it a little :angryfire

Guess I just need higher wattage units?
 
RemainVayne said:
Correct on the unfinished and not insulated part. Already have a dehumidifier too...

I just went down to check on things and noticed my brand new eheim Jager keeps turning off on its own. It'll turn back on if I just tap it a little :angryfire

Guess I just need higher wattage units?
Click to expand...
I assume higher wattage will help.
 
Oughtsix said:
How does a dehumidifier raise the tank temp?



Maybe drip off a hot water line if that is an option in your drip setup?
Click to expand...
Dries the air and returns back to the room as heated air.
 
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kno4te said:
Dries the air and returns back to the room as heated air.
Click to expand...
Hello; This and in addition the compressor motor, fan motor and any other electric components will convert the electricity to heat. I run a dehumidifier in the winter and can feel the warm air coming off it.
One advantage of the old style incandescent light bulbs was the amount of heat they put out. Of course the advantage was limited to the cold season. I switched to LEDs in the last few years and figure my heaters have to work a bit harder.
 
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For your drip line can coil a bunch up in a bucket of water and stick a heater in that? I'm guessing your drip is at 50* this time of year. If you raise the temperature on it that might help.
 
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