In-line heater decision help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
+1 for a Hydor 300w, I have it running from the output of an XP1.

I wouldn't put it inline with a huge canister, then the water is passing the heating element inside so quick it hardly has time to get heated. Maybe not a concern but I put my inline with a smaller canister for that reason.
 
I'm using a single 300w hydor ETH on a 110gal. Here's a couple of thoughts...

First, the speed of the water through the heater doesn't matter. It could move a thousand miles an hour and it would still regulate the temp of your tank just fine as long as you have enough wattage to handle the heat loss in your system.

Second, there's a simple solution to the problem of flow: Run them in a parallel line. The one I have will handle 4gpm easy enough, but if you need more flow running two in parallel doubles the flow capacity. Easy to do if you're planning on getting two.

It's a great little unit. I sure wish they'd use regular plumbing fittings on these darn things too. Those stupid barb-fittings SUCK as a general rule regardless of what they're used on. You can plumb with PVC and use a brass barb fitting to terminate the PVC and a short- 1-2" piece of vinyl tubing to bridge the barb fitting gap. Not elegant but it works.
 
Here is my set up.I have incredible flow!

sexytank3003-1.jpg
 
i have a hydor 300 in my 125 alongside a regular stick heater and i've noticed that the hydor does a way better job at keeping temp within a degree of the set temp. i have reduced my water line to about 60 gallons and i've raised my temp to 92 to treat my discus and it did it without any fuss. it's a great heater and well worth the extra money. i will be getting my second one for my 2nd xp3 soon
 
I need to make a correction... my 300w ETH flows 6gpm (not 4 as I sad in my earlier post.) I'm not sure if the heater is limiting the flow at that point though or if its my filters or pump or what. I'm sure it's a combination of it all, but the heater will do at least 6gpm.
 
For those interested, I just found a way to modify the ETH to have a 3/4 PVC inlet / outlet.

Having just disassembled an ETH, the inlet & outlet are the only restrictions. It's a > 1" diameter glass tube inside wrapped with a flexible heating element. Opening up the inlet / outlet will increase flow capacity dramatically. (Why on earth Hydor hasn't provided for this already I can't imagine.)

I'm going to post in the DIY section about this conversion. If you'd like to know how, look there.
 
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