"Bob" wrote in message
om...
I've been reading the Resler-Behle paper (at the Krib) on DIY
substrate heating and I'm about ready to make that leap. The
compressed CO2 tank is up & running, though I'm giving serious
consideration to linking it to a controller rather than just having it
bubble 24/7. And brand and online source/retailer recommendations?

I noticed that a few folks had concerns about the wires used for
substrate heating deteriorating or breaking over time. To minimize
issues with having to tear up the aquarium and restart if that
happens, I thought it might make sense to run four sets of parallel
wires along the PVC piping, with one being your working set and the
other three as backup sets. I would think you could space them out
reasonably well on 1/2" pipe. Any reason this doesn't make sense or
is a bad idea? I really don't want to tear down the tank more than
once.

Also, I've been looking around for Dupla products online in the USA
and I'm not having an awful lot of luck. Any good sources/online
retailers that you folks have experience with? I noticed that
floridadriftwood.com had them, and the prices for the Dupla heating
cables and all are a lot of the reason that I'm planning on going the
DIY route.

Thank you so much in advance,

Bob
Ontario, California

Look into Teflon coated wire, that's what I'm using, it's supposed to
withstand a lot more than normal wire. Check out Ebay if you're having
problems getting it locally.

Harry