Tanks too cold!

[Djplus1]

Is there any real reason that my tank seems to lose 4-5 degrees at night? I have a 72 gallon with an eshopps rs-75 sump and an eheim jager 150w heater mounted in the sump controlled by an Apex Lite set to keep the heat between 78-79. I do keep the house kind of cool (72-74), but there shouldn't be that much of a temp drop with the heater in place. I see that the heater is on when the temps are cold, so it is functioning, but the colder ambient air seems to outpace the capability of the heater. I also have a second jager 150w I could install in addition. Would that make any difference if they are both hooked up to the Apex anyway?

[MBVette]

is the heater actually working?

[onux20]

Sounds like your heater cant keep up. Does temp drop after lights out?

 

I think a second heater is a good idea. I would buy heaters that could carry the load alone in case one fails.

[Djplus1]

The heaters are rated for about 80 gallons and they definately work. I had the tank get to 90 degrees before I got the Apex. It seems that the Jager settings are a little inaccurate. I was going to install the second heater anyway for redundancy. I assume that I could set both heaters for 85-90 degrees and just have the Apex shut them down without any fear of overheating, since I'm obviously having problems in the opposite direction.

[Gatortailale]

I would also check location of temp probe and make sure it is not close to heater or down-stream of heater. If you have extra outlet on apex, then worth it to use two heaters - one as backup (set a half degree off main heater). Light on the heater may not mean it is actually working - does it feel warm? Any external fans running when lights on? You could use apex to turn fans off at night so temp doesn't drop as much.

[Djplus1]

I would also check location of temp probe and make sure it is not close to heater or down-stream of heater. If you have extra outlet on apex, then worth it to use two heaters - one as backup (set a half degree off main heater). Light on the heater may not mean it is actually working - does it feel warm? Any external fans running when lights on? You could use apex to turn fans off at night so temp doesn't drop as much.

 

The heater is in the sump and the thermometer probe is in the display. I was considering moving the the probe in the sump though, should I leave it in the display?

[jimlin]

try placing the heater in the display.

[Gatortailale]

what pump you using for return? ... what is your flow rate? I would think your tank should be able to take 450-600 gph in overflow rate with the all glass mega-flow. Maybe you don't have the turnover rate needed. Just guessing here.

 

I wouldn't say your tank it to cold until you hit below 72. Most websites recommend keeping fish b/w 72-78. But the big daily swings of 3+ degrees can be stressful on livestock.

 

You should be fine with temp probe in tank.

[overklok]

Temp probes on aquarium on controllers can be fickle, I would cross reference your findings with a mercury thermometer

[Djplus1]

what pump you using for return? ... what is your flow rate? I would think your tank should be able to take 450-600 gph in overflow rate with the all glass mega-flow. Maybe you don't have the turnover rate needed. Just guessing here.

 

I wouldn't say your tank it to cold until you hit below 72. Most websites recommend keeping fish b/w 72-78. But the big daily swings of 3+ degrees can be stressful on livestock.

 

You should be fine with temp probe in tank.

 

Mag Drive 5, should be plenty of turnover. The swing is what I'm most concerned about, yes. The lowest I've seen the tank is about 74, but it's usually around 78 and it only seems to be happening lately. It's almost as if for some reason the heater doesn't work from 4am-10am or my house cools down to 50 degrees overnight or something. Neitherof which are likely as both the house and the heater in the tank are on thermostats.

[DaveS]

The thermostats on heaters can be iffy. Use your Apex to control the heater. You can keep a much tighter temperature range with the Apex.

[Djplus1]

The thermostats on heaters can be iffy. Use your Apex to control the heater. You can keep a much tighter temperature range with the Apex.

 

 

I know, that's the problem. It is controlled by the Apex (between 78-79), that's what I find so weird.

Edited October 5, 2012 by Djplus1

[hypertech]

If the Apex says that the heater is on, and its still getting cold, turn the heater on and briefly lift it out of the water. You should feel it start to get hot. If it doesn't do that, then eithe rthe thermostat in the heater needs ot be adjusted or its blown.

[Integral9]

try placing the heater in the display.

 

+1

 

That's what I would do.

 

Also, get a backup mercury thermometer or 2 for sanity checks. Not your sanity, the probe / controller's.

[Djplus1]

Update, apparently there is a weird problem with the brand new Eheim Jager. I pulled it out to feel it and it was bone cold even though the light was indicating on. Then I plugged into my kitchen outlet and there was heat. Plugged it back into the Apex and put it into the water again turned it all the way up and no heat. Plugged old Eheim Jager into Apex.......heat. Took the new one out again and plugged ito another outlet, no heat this time. I'm wondering if it's a short or something, as it can produce heat, sometimes, but is pretty useless since I can't trust it. Has anyone had an issue like this before? I'm trying to see if premium aquatics will give me a new one, or at least give me a credit.

 

If it needs to be calibrated, how does one do that correctly? I see a slider on top that will supposedly adjust the thermostat that is currently in the middle position, but no markings whatsoever. I don't want to start adjusting something that I have no idea how to use properly.

[Integral9]

I hate intermittent problems. I recently took a part my dishwasher because the dispenser door wouldn't open reliably. Problem was a loose wire / poor build quality. Anyways, about your heater, it sounds like a loose wire / bad connection or possibly a bad seal that let water get into the heating element / circuitry. If it's new, I would return it for another one.