chiroken

You caught me! I'm not sure how much water the sump holds, I know full it's 140g. It was previously a reef setup and the owner has markings on the side to know where to fill to so that there won't be any accidental overflows! I guess I could measure and calculate the volume but then....I can just guess as it really doesn't matter much if I'm off by 20 gallons. Don't know if I'll use check valves or not. Even if I did I still wouldn't fill the sump above the safe line so why bother? Interesting you're good with a single 500W heater. Most recommendations are following the 3W/gallon. I've never gone this big before , I currently run 2 ebo-jagers that I believe are 150W's in my 90 and there is no issue. I'm now wondering if I can run 2 300w glass ebo's in the 300g and be good? Certainly save a few bucks on the heaters (vs. 2-500W) and I can get those for $30 a piece out of vancouver. I think I can also get a 500W titanium but I'd rather have 2 smaller ones so 1 is back up. Don't see any point in paying for 300W titanium's as they will be in the sump and not at risk of breakage (less risk anyways )

I was going with an Ultima II filter vs. a sump so that was a major reason for the inline heater. Have you looked into JBJ True Temp heaters? I had the 300 watt version before I forgot to unplug it before I removed it during a tank tear down.....stinky.....bleh. Seemed like it was bang on when I checked with my temp gun. I have seem the JBJ's but alot of bad reviews out there, made me nervous. Alot of failing units, either the heater or the controller.

I had come across the inline heaters. For the ultra design it seems the way to go. Decided I wanted easy access to the heater and the standard style gives me that. And with using a large sump (140g if full to the top) I can have the heaters in a chamber with no risk of being banged/broken etc.

. Curious what brands you're finding at $200+? I've been looking the past week and I'm coming across Catalina Aquariums 1000W titanium with controller as well as Finnex 800W titanium with controller both for $100. Jehmco's 500W titanium with controller is $115, the 1000W heater isnt' currently available. I think a second 500W heater added to the first is an extra $45. Didn't find any 500W titanium heaters on ebay other than 1 out of Hong Kong that runs on 240V. I'm not interested in glass heaters that are no name brands or of low quality and I do want to run the heater through a controller. Far more accurate and far safer as it'll will eliminate the heater's thermostat from failing/sticking on. I agree 2 500W heaters would less risk than 1 1000W. If 1 500W quits at least 1 is still heating.

2 500W heaters are not cheaper than 1 1000W heater. The same goes for smaller heaters. The retailer I typically use in Vancouver for ebo-jager heaters sells 200W & 250W for exactly the same price and the 300W heater is only $0.50 more. ($30.15/30.15/30.65) There are pros and cons to trying to place 2 heaters in different locations. Some say better heat distribution, others argue that because they are not dead on calibrated with each other 1 tends to stay on far longer and eventually will fail earlier due to excessive use. I do like the idea of 500W heaters so 1 is functional in the event the other fails. I use 2 ebo's in my 90g for that reason. My understanding is that by using a heater controller you eliminate the thermostat failure that typically happens with heaters. The heater is always in the "on" position but the controller only sends it juice when actual heat is needed.

Anyone know where I can find a 1000W titanium heater with heater controller? Big tanks need big heaters

yes, renos are in the works in the basement (not full basement, 3' foundation). Good news for starters is that the joists run perpendicular to the wall I'm using for the tank. Did have to run a 30ft beam as the main floor had some major sags. Bad news is there will be at least 2 posts in the big play room downstairs, good news is the beam is about 8 feet off of that wall, running parallel. Going to double up the joists so the one end sits on the beam. Also putting a new 2x4 wall up against the 3' foundation to eliminate that foundation "ledge" and actually insulate the wall (originally there was wood panel board tacked right over 3/4" strapping, no wonder it was so cold!). Figure that'll do it to beef it up.

yeah, I was literally inside it last night scraping coraline algae off the glass. have to reinforce the floor before it can be set up. With the 140g sump I figure it'll run 4,500lbs.

+1

unless I missed it....what size tank do you have? That's key before you even start thinking about what africans to keep. Like recommended, cichlid-forums or youtube african cichlid to get ideas. Not often to see driftwood in african tanks, whatever you like though. Lots of research on the actual fish you are thinking of and if they will mix/get along with each other. The wrong choices and multiple deaths overnight. The most beautiful freshwater fish to keep (through discus in there too) but they can give you trouble if you're not careful or informed.

sort of torture to post all those fish "names" without any "pics"!!! sounds like an awesome mix!

and the other side of the coastal range. On Vancouver Island, switching over from mbuna African cichlids to peacock and haps African cichlids. Fish for 30 yrs, discus to saltwater to angels to community tanks and everything inbetween. Africans past 5 yrs. Just in the process of collecting fish to go into a monster 8' 300 gallon tank. Pretty excited! And to think the dream tank was a 6' 180 gallon, ended up bigger than expected. Cleaning an ex-salt water tank though is a big job