Heaters - If 2 is good, is 3 great?

[HobosReef]

I am installing a new-to-me but used 270g reef tank and need a heater that will neatly work with my Apex. The total water in the system is about 325g and the ambient temperature without lights is about 72 degrees. I figure I need about 975 watts (3 * 325) to adequately heat tank. If my math is right, the obvious choice is 2 500 watts heaters. However, what do you think of 3 300 watt heaters. Not as much power but probably enough and more safety in the event of a heater failure for just a few extra dollars?

Also, any recommendations on 300 to 500 watt heaters. I heard good things about eheim but I cannot find any that large.

Lastly, do I need a controller for the heaters or can I just plug them in to the Apex?

Thanks again for everyone's wonderful support.

[bnumair]

I would go 3 x 300 w over 2 x 500 w. heaters do often go bad and most of the time in on position. If best to back them,up via internal thermostat and also by controller like Apex of Reefkeeper. I have 450 gal setup with 4 x 300 titaniums. I have been using Aquaviva 300w.

[mcgyvr]

+1 on the 3 x 300W

[wolfblue]

The Doctor knows. Its a time thing, if a 500w heater fails and you have 3 hours until unacceptable temp conditions. You would have 5 hours to catch it if it was a 300w heater that failed.

[HobosReef]

Thanks guys. I went the 3 300 Watt aqueon and they seem to be doing the job fine. My LFS consultant whom I bought the tank from was not enamored with Aqueon but we shall see. The suction cups a re a bit of a pain in the butt, but once aligned and in the sump they seem to be holding. Will probably switch to magnets eventually.

On to the next problem, blew a fuse with all lights and pumps running. This is going to be a pain to fix.....

[top shelf]

I used to run aqueon heaters on my cichlid tanks, 150w, and my only complaint really was the suction cups, they never really liked to stay stuck. The magnets will solve that problem though.