Heater in Skimmer?

[Fishdude]

Hi,

I have a small 40 gallon tank that gets too cluttered if I put live rock, a skimmer, heater, and powerhead in there. I have a hang on BakPak II skimmer that has the biobale. I was just wondering if I could take out the biobale and put my heater in there. Does anyone see any potential problems with that. Underheating the tank? Over heating the tank? Killing the heater. I figure there should be enough water flow to distribute the heat well enough. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

THats where I have my heater on my nano. I have it in the Bakpak.
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Mercedes Vito

 

[jandree22]

i USED to have that setup on my tank. However in my own personal experience, it's not an efficient setup, and here's why. In that chamber, the water flow goes from the bottom to the top. Therefore, what seems to happen is that the heater kicks on as it should, but the water that is heated immediately then passes the thermostat, tricking the heater into thinking the aquarium water is warmer than it actually it. For example, the tank water could be at 76 degrees. But, the water that just passed the bottom of the heater and is proceeding to the top of that chamber might be like 78 degrees. Therefore, if you're still following me, the heater would always switch off when the water passing the thermostat is 78 degrees... when in reality, the aquarium is only at about 76.

I've moved the heaters into the display tank with much more stable results. I don't mind seeing in there, but i know many people would, so you could always hide them horizontal behind some LR.

Another possibility that might work out better, if you can fit them in like this, is to install the heater(s) upside down in the skimmer so the thermostat can read a more accurate water temperature before the heating part of the heater messed with it. Therefore your 76 degree water would be actually realized, then the heater could kick on and off as it should.

In the end, it's just another benefit to having a sump to take care of this problem.... :roll:

 

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah,

I have a titanium heater in there. It has a seperate probe on it that I have in the tank.
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Neuromuscular Diseases Forum

 

[Fishdude]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I will try it and see how it goes. If it doesn't work, I may have to invest in a better and smaller heater. My tank is small enough that if I have it in the tank, it really does take up a considerable amount of space.

 

[Anonymous]

Fishdude, where in Sac are you? Are you in MARS at all?

 

[Len]

A titanium heater is recommended for this type of application. Glass-enclosed heaters have the potential to crack if exposed to cool air bubbles.

 

[Anonymous]

I do exactly what that with titanium heaters and my temp is rock solid.

 

[JohnD]

I keep both my heater and grounding probe in my bakpak. I haven't had problems in years with this set up.

My $.02.