Heater advice for IM170 new build.

edsbeaker

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I could use some guidance choosing heaters and best way to set them up for a IM 170 gallon with 70 gallon sump. I’m guessing that the total water volume would be around 185-200 gallons.
I do have an apex for controlling, but would also like to have an additional separate controller for the heaters.

I was looking at the IM Helio PTC bundles, but it looks like the most powerful heater option is a dual 350 W (total of 700 W) which is suggested for 100-170 gallons, so concerned that would not be enough. I did talk to Brian at IM and he said it would be fine, but I’m not convinced, especially if one dies. They used to make a dual 500 W that would have been perfect, but it looks like that has been discontinued. I suppose I could do two bundles and use 4 heaters and this may be safer than using two higher wattage heaters.

So I can use some other suggestions. My only limit on heaters is that the sump heater would be limited to 14” length, and I would prefer titanium.
 

X-37B

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I have the ext 170. Total volume with the sump at 7" is 160g's. Tank volume is 135g's.
I run a 150 watt brs titanium heater controlled by an aqualogic controller. My house is 72° in the winter and 75° in the summer.
Tank runs at a setpoint of 77° and the heater does not come on in the summer with the system sitting at 80° which is what the room temp is.
 
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edsbeaker

edsbeaker

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I have the ext 170. Total volume with the sump at 7" is 160g's. Tank volume is 135g's.
I run a 150 watt brs titanium heater controlled by an aqualogic controller. My house is 72° in the winter and 75° in the summer.
Tank runs at a setpoint of 77° and the heater does not come on in the summer with the system sitting at 80° which is what the room temp is.
My house in winter is at 67 degrees, so will probably need a bit more, but by your description it sounds like I may be overestimating what I need. Maybe the dual 350 W will be enough after all.
 

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My house in winter is at 67 degrees, so will probably need a bit more, but by your description it sounds like I may be overestimating what I need. Maybe the dual 350 W will be enough after all.
Dual 150's or 200's are an option.
I am a fan of not using more watts than needed.
After 150lbs of live rock my system is 150g's +- water volume.
Plus 2 150's will fit in the limited space of the it's heater area.
 

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