Cable Heaters

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:15 pm

Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, but I have not seen a post. Just wondering if anybody has tried the undergravel cable heater, and has had success or not. Is it really worth it ?

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:31 pm

Envision trying to uproot a huge sword plant that had entangled the cables with it's roots.

<img border="0" src="smileys/smiley35.gif" border="0">

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:53 pm

sounds like a bunch of <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley7.gif" border="0"> and <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley11.gif" border="0">

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:12 pm

Ivo Busko has used them, and didn't see much benefit.
From what I've read I think they're supposed to help
in a long term setup. Long term setup? Whats that?! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">

m.milliner · Post by **m.milliner** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 10:24 pm

I studied the pros and cons and decided to use them for my new discus tank.

As far as the root issue goes, I plan to lay the cables in 1" of sand covered with landscape mesh...then 3" of substrate.

Jamie G · Post by **Jamie G** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 10:31 pm

Landscape mesh ? that black stuff i put my mulch on ?

RTRJR · Post by **RTRJR** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 12:24 am

That particular theory from Dupla I could never buy into.

Most of my tanks are too warm anyway, very few have heaters, several would be better with chillers.

m.milliner · Post by **m.milliner** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:36 am

yep...the mesh allows water movement but segregates materials...I understand it solves the potential root problem while avoiding possible damage when putting in new plants.

I've read some interesting articles that have encouraged me to give the cables a try...the physics seem right. We'll see!! I'll have a backup system too, with a thermostat set a few degrees higher than that connected with the cables...an Eheim filter with built-in heater...just in case!!<edited><editID>Michael</editID><editDate>37994.0272106482</editDate></edited>

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 2:14 am

It's all conduction not convection, I don't think they have a clue. I also have a paper by Ole Pedersen that shows the effect of a warm substrate is an increase in bacterial oxygen demand which can impede the formation of the plant root rhizosphere. I'm stopping before everyones'eyes glaze over.

Archie · Post by **Archie** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 3:49 am

nonsense. it's good to educate. where are these papers published? i sometimes forget that science involves plants too. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley12.gif" border="0">

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