Heater Recommendations

[skierguy]

I am sure this has been covered several times but I have been unable to find it using the google search of RC.

I am looking to retire a two heaters in my 90. I was planning on just replacing them (Ebo's) but have not been very happy with my last one. It got condensation inside the heater while sitting in an empty bucket awaiting the next water change. The Visi-Therm Stealth was recommended by my LFS (whom I do trust) but can't find much info on them. I am open to other recommendations as well.

[biger]

They all pretty much suck. Whatever u get just get a controller for them like a ranco or aqualogic. I would not run any heaters on the market without a controller period.

[skierguy]

One of the first lessons I learned in this hobby is to have two smaller wattage heaters so if one goes haywire you don't end up with reef soup...

I was hoping to not spend $200 on a temp controller just yet. That being said does anyone have an opinion on which heaters "suck" less than the others?

[pjf]

Here's a user survey of aquarium heaters in the Cichlid Forum that may serve as a guide for helping you make your choice: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews/category_display.php?CatID=701&sort=rating&pg=all.

Despite the high recommendations for the Stealth heater, I personally prefer a heater with an LED indicator so I can tell if the heating element is ON or OFF.

I have the Eheim Jager heater because it can be calibrated should the thermostat drift. Here are the calibration instructions: http://www.boroniaaquarium.com.au/newsletter/cms_files/Jager%20heater.pdf?NewsletterSession=7c5a8ab1545a1745e6514e6d836edb6f.

There are other heaters to consider:
- The Fluval Tronic has rubber guards on both ends of the heater for easy placement on the bottom of a sump. I use this heater for heating replacement water.
- The Fluval "E" Electronic heater mentioned in the Cichlid Forum looks very advanced but I have not used it.

[skierguy]

Thanks pjf, I was looking for something like that. It looks like I will give the Visi-Therm a try. I will also begin saving up for a temp controler...

[SirToppemHat]

I use a Visi Therm on a acjr. I would recomend them. Good Luck

[biger]

You can get rancos for about 75 bucks and they are well worth it. I also use several small heaters but still would not use them without my rancos.

[skierguy]

I didn't realize they were that cheap. I was looking at them for around $180. Where is the best place to find them?

[biger]

Here is one for 80 bucks, I guess they went up a little but this one is sealed and ready to go. You can hook up more than one heater to one ranco by using a 2 or 3 way plug from home depot.

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=68_135&products_id=37&osCsid=e25e9cbbe148b33ae03cf087c7bdbcb1

[biger]

The safest way to use them is to get heaters with a built in thermostat and set heaters thermostat slightly above the ranco setting. That way in the unlikely event that the ranco stuck on (obviously anything can fail) the heater thermostat will save the day. I have had mine set up like this for a long time and never had a problem.

[biger]

here is some good reading about heating aquariums

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/aquarium-heaters-what-you-need-to-know!.aspx