Cable Heaters

Lighting, filtration etc
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Jamie G
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Post by Jamie G »

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 ?
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SCMurphy
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Post by SCMurphy »

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">
"したくさ" Sean

Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.

If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!

I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up! ;)
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Jamie G
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Post by Jamie G »

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

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">
-
Ghazanfar Ghori

Image
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m.milliner
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Post by m.milliner »

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.
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Jamie G
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Post by Jamie G »

Landscape mesh ? that black stuff i put my mulch on ?
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RTRJR
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Post by RTRJR »

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.
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m.milliner
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Post by m.milliner »

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>
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SCMurphy
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Post by SCMurphy »

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.
"したくさ" Sean

Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.

If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!

I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up! ;)
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Archie
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Post by Archie »

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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