Heater Size Confusion

[dbanner]

Iv changed my fx5 filter for 2 tetratec ex1200's and I'm happy to say they doing a better job than the fx5 was. And at £85 each brand new you can't go wrong. The fx5 was with the tank when I got it so not sure how old it was but having 2 matching filters in the cabinet looks much better and plus the fx5 looks like a dustbin lol

Anyway they don't use the ribbed hoses so I should be able to attach an external heater

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yep the 300w one fits the EX1200, this is the combination I use

 

[Lufbramatt]

The hydor external heaters are sooo much better than an internal heater. I always felt that the internal glass ones were a timebomb, hated working in the tank in cse I knocked it with a rock or forgot to turn it off or back on again . . . plus they look horrible in the tank.

Some people think they restrict flow, can't say I notice it at all, only downside is if your filter stops the flow through the heater stops as well.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yeah that's true

but I have a backup internal should disaster strike

 

[PERCY]

I've 2 tetratec ex1200 ordered and one 300 watt inline heater. I'm wondering if I should order another???

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Well I don't suppose it would do any harm? They would both just run less I imagine, and then you also have a backup in place.

 

[mattybee]

Ok, I have inherited some old heaters, they look in good shape (will try submerged before putting in tank to make sure they work).

One is a 150w and the other is 250w - if i can set one slightly higher on the thermostat so it equals out - would that be ok - until i am in a position to order newer parts?

Thanks

 

[Aqua Tom]

Ok, I have inherited some old heaters, they look in good shape (will try submerged before putting in tank to make sure they work).

One is a 150w and the other is 250w - if i can set one slightly higher on the thermostat so it equals out - would that be ok - until i am in a position to order newer parts?

Thanks

Set them the same.


Tom

 

[PERCY]

My 2 tetratec ex 1200 arrived today along with my heater. The filters are huge. Surely one of those would be enough for my tank

 

[dbanner]

My 2 tetratec ex 1200 arrived today along with my heater. The filters are huge. Surely one of those would be enough for my tank

I'd use 2. I use 2 on my 5 footer. 1 is only good for a tank of up to 500 litres so would struggle and won't hit the flow rates you need. They will do around 940 lph when full of media so 2 will be ideal

The tetratec ex1200's are also small compared to the fluval fx5 I used to have lol really good filter but it looked like a big dustbin lol a real ear sore.

 

[Aquamaniac]

Set both heaters the same. The setting just tells your heater at wich temperature you want it to go off.
Obviously if you setup the stronger heater for 26 degrees celsius and the other to 28 degrees what will happen is at 26 your stronger heater wil go off and the weaker one will be working alone trying to get to 28 and since he is the weaker i'll never get there.this will cause the heater to eventually break down. On the other hand if this weaker heater manages to stay at 26 by himself the stronger heater preset to 26 will never turn on.
Those settings need to be the same they have nothing to do with power,but with at wich temperature you want them to go off.
Setting them the same will make them both work togethet to reach the preset temperature and them go off. They will start again as soon as the temperature starts lowering below that same preset temperature.
With two heaters the benefit is,you get there faster, heat is distributed more evenly trough the tank,you get a reserve heater in case the other breaks down and the two heater will get lesd stress to get the job done than one wich prevents breakdowns.

 

[mattybee]

Thank you very much