Heater in reef tank problem.

**Strider199** · 03-09-2014, 06:56 PM

I have noticed that the temperature of my reef tank is steadily raising the last few weeks. I have had this heater in the tank for just over a year and for most of that time the digital temp. reading was 79.6F. Over the last few weeks the reading has increased to 82.2F with the house temperature at 76F.
There is some growth on the heater so as of right now the heater is in a bucket of r/o and vinegar.
My questions are; is the increased temp. due to the growth? Is this the sign of a heater malfunction?

I've had heaters in freshwater tanks for many years without a problem is the normal off the shelf heater adequate for a saltwater tank? This is a submersible 200 watt heater made in China. I forget the brand. Tank size is 55 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. The heater was in the main tank.

**sheamurai** · 03-09-2014, 08:11 PM

No expert on heaters, but regardless of growth, the thermostat should still kick on and off at a constant temperature. I would think that growth would act as an insulator, keeping the heater warmer, so if the thermostat was working correctly, the tank would be cooler, not hotter, as the heater would be kept warmer by the insulating growth so the thermostat would kick off before the water was heated.

I lost all my stock due to a malfunctioning heater - it stayed on and cooked my tank - so I would get rid of it and use it only as a spare for heating in buckets and the like.

Any aquarium heater is adequate for a reef tank, but as reef stock is so expensive, I would pay decent bucks and get a good heater, or use a controller like many do that would override a malfunctioning heater thermostat.

**Cliff** · 03-09-2014, 11:07 PM

+1 to the above

Sounds like you heater is not working correctly and I would also suggest replacing it before anything bad happens

**Strider199** · 03-10-2014, 12:45 AM

Thanks for the feedback Sheamurai and Cliff.

For tonight I'm going to have to run it. I did clean it off, there were alot of small clear sponges on the bottom third of it. After some 5 hours my temp is down to 81.1F without the heater so I have a little way to go until I plug it back in and adjust.

I did some reading on the above mentioned "control system" which sounds logical. The idea that the control would shut down the heater if it fails in the on position, sounds like a good fail safe. The person writing that article stated we spend hundreds of dollars on stock and equipment but most people still run the standard heater which are known to fail.
Are there some better heaters out there then the popular brands? I have come across a titanium heater which has the controls outside of the tank made by Eheim.
Feedback welcome. I know there have been discussions on heater brands before but I wasn't paying attention because I've never had an issue, sorry.

**Cliff** · 03-10-2014, 01:19 AM

The Hydor in-line heaters work great. I am using two them right now on my 180

You might want to look into the below heaters as well. The are make to fit into smaller sumps are are supposed to be very dependable. I have no first hand experience with them, but I know a few guys who are very happy with them

https://cobaltaquatics.com/index.php...products_id=33

Using a heater controller is also a great idea.

https://cobaltaquatics.com/index.php...products_id=33

**Strider199** · 03-10-2014, 01:35 AM

That is one heater I've not come across yet Cliff. The only real negative I've read about is that it bleeds stray volts. As most equipment does I dont think that would be an issue. I'll have to check out the stores around here to see if they have access to a 200 watt model. Thanks for the info, may the Green machine go all the way again this fall.

**Strider199** · 03-12-2014, 12:05 AM

Well after a few days of observation it isn't a heater issue after all. I did replace the heater but the problem continued with the new one. I was dusting my Maxspect Razor LED light and noticed on the one end (where the power cable goes in), that the plastic was somewhat melted. I Googled the condition and sure enough on the 160 watt 16000k models there is a defect with the early models. The store I purchased it from is closed (Oakville Reef Gallery), so I phoned the distributor and they are sending parts which will cure this issue. I'll know more tomorrow when the parts arrive.

**Strider199** · 03-13-2014, 12:16 AM

Well due to this darn snow Fed Ex didn't deliver to my area today. I'm hoping they will get here tomorrow so I can turn the lights back on as they used to be. My corals don't like 65%. Neither do I.

**hockeyhead019** · 03-13-2014, 03:25 PM

Out of curiosity what's the fix? Did they explain it?

**Strider199** · 03-13-2014, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by hockeyhead019

Out of curiosity what's the fix? Did they explain it?

Yes they did. There are two small circuit boards that where made out of a material that will not withstand the heat of the 160watt model. The fix is to open the left end and replace those boards with the newer version boards. Four wires need to be unscrewed. I'm still waiting for FedEx to deliver the new parts before I unscrew the end cover to see whats inside.