Upgrading heater in 240 - heater controller questions

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

johnnytaboo

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 4, 2005
1,123
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MD, DC, VA
So, I'm going to be upgrading the heaters in my 240 gallon. Currently there are (2) 300W Eheim Jagers in the sump, and they can't get the temp above 76. I will be moving my gulper catfish and fire eel in soon, and both of them are used to warmer temps in their current tanks.

I've been reading up on titanium heaters and heater controllers. There is a pretty good deal on an 800W titanium heater with a controller, which claims it will heat my tank, but I'm slightly concerned about potential issues with my electrical breakers. One reviewer of the product said the controller would turn on and off so frequently, that it would trip the breakers in his condo building. The last thing I need to to have the power go out regularly, especially since I'm at work 11 hours a day.

Does anyone know of a temperature controller that allows you to set a temperature range, as opposed to a specific temperature? If not, would I be better off going with (2) 500W titanium heaters? Would those be enough to hold my 240 around 78-80 degrees?

This tank is in my basement, but it's in a closed room with 6 other tanks (30, 40, 92, 120, 144, and 180) all kept around 78 degrees. As always, any input is greatly appreciated!

- John
 
Wierd, my basement is pretty chilly and two 300w keep my 180gallon tank / 40 gallon res at 80° without any issues. I would be scared of a single 800 watts sticking on, but I guess the controller should prevent that. I use a Ranco with mine.
 
I believe I read that the Ranco unit does just that: It shuts off when it reaches the set temp, but doesn't turn back on until the temp drops 2 degrees below the set temp.
 
You can set the swing range, I have mine at 1 degree swing
 
Are you certain both those Jagers are working properly? I would start there first.

Personally, I would add at least 1 more 300w for a 240gal
 
I use 2 300 watt Jaegers on a 540 Ga. keeps it at 79.9 no problem.
 
I use two 500W Catalina Aquarium titanium heaters, with a controller. It's for a ~300G (including sump).
My tank is in my living room where temp is ~72F. I have the controller set at 81F. I have a second thermometer in the overflow that reads about ~78.8F. I didn't expect either therm to be 100% accurate, but I think the difference is because my controller sits in my sump and my second therm. sits in the overflow. Overall, I think my temp is consistent and no issues keeping the tank heated.
 
That is weird, I have two 300 watt aqueon heaters in my 240 and they get the temp up to 86 easily. Have you tried moving it out the sump and into the display tank? I would try that first of all and if that doesn't work then one or both heaters aren't working correctly. My tanks are in the den and its not heated so temps get down to around 40-50 degrees F in the winter and it keeps the temp just fine.
 
Well, this is why I post. I checked last night, and the temp was a balmy 82 degrees. Not sure what my laser thermometer was doing when it gave me the temps last week. I checked every tank with bother my laser/infrared thermometer, as well as a digital one I had laying around, and both confirmed all tank temps were nice and warm..... I pulled out both jagers, and they seemed to be working.

I greatly appreciate the replies everyone. I'm going to keep checking, but I think I must have been imagining things.

I still want a titanium heater though. After all this research, those things seem to be the way to go.
 
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