How to syncronize heaters.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cdc

Candiru
MFK Member
Jun 11, 2008
291
1
48
Menifee, socal
I have one 300w Eheim heater on my tank but I have just got a 250w Eheim heater and want to put them together.

The 300w currently running is set to 72 but heats the water to 78 for some reason. Do I set the 250w heater to 72 aswel? Are the thermostats the same in both heaters?
 
Many heaters are not calibrated to the point of the temp indicated on the dial being the actual temp it heats the water to, your case is not uncommon.

As far as synchronizing them. If they have a light to indicate when they are on put the new one in the water starting at the lowest temp on the dial and turn up the temp until the light comes on. Watch the tank temp for a few days and adjust as needed to get them to share the load. Only adjust the new heater, other wise you will be chasing your tail.

If no light, you can hold the new heater under the water and turn it up feeling for when it gets warm, be careful not to burn your self and again keep an eye on the tank temp for a few days.
 
what I did on for my twin 250w heaters on my 150g was to synchronize them by calibrating them one at a time.

get the first one set so the tank is stable at the desired temperature. unplug.

set up the second one to get the tank stable at the desired temperature.

plug the first one back in.

bingo.

this can be done on a smaller tank as well, then transfer over to your big tank.

this also works well if one heater by itself is not large enough to heat the main tank to the desired temp. I did mine one at a time on my 20g hospital tank.
 
there may be other reasons - - lighting, filters, living in socal - - that are keeping your tank at 78 degrees, even tho' your heater is at 72 . . .

have you tried unplugging the heater to see what temp your tank run w/o it?
 
Dane;3939773; said:
Use on of the external temp probe systems that I've seen posted on here. Plug both of them into it and let it turn them on and off.
Click to expand...

Best answer by far. Get a high quality Ranco or Honeywell controller to turn them on and off at the same time.
 
Sab_Fan;3942730; said:
there may be other reasons - - lighting, filters, living in socal - - that are keeping your tank at 78 degrees, even tho' your heater is at 72 . . .

have you tried unplugging the heater to see what temp your tank run w/o it?
Click to expand...


No I have not tried unplugging the heater. It does come on alot as I can see the light switching on. I will try using the 250w I have and adjust the temperature untill it gets to 78 then I will turn the 300w back on. I will also look into getting a temperature controller in the future.

The cold weather is mostly behind me now, the next thing will be trying to keep it cool in the summer.
 
Bud8Fan;3943332; said:
Best answer by far.
Click to expand...
I have a better one. :grinyes:

It doesn't matter...
...(unless you have a terminal case of OCD).

Set the larger one a degree or two lower than the smaller one. If the smaller one doesn't do the job by itself, the larger one will kick on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom