Heaters

[dafunkyman]

I was reading on the thread yesterday and someone had their stealth pro heater explode. There was another one today. Also I have read about overheating with these heaters. Today while I was feeding, I thought it is a good thing I dont have a stealth. What kind do I have? Oh **** I really do have a stealth! I lost my tank to ick around 2 months ago and if I lose the tank again, I may leave the hobby. I like keeping fish but, it has not been that great yet. Plus I am younger than most so the first loss took a lot of money from me(not much to you guysh though). So what is a good popular heater that is also cheap. There was one brand that was recommended but someone said they have a new company and revisions were made to the heater. So what should I get to be SAFE.

[James404]

The first precaution that should be made with any heater is to invest in a controller. This will prevent your heater from cooking your tank if it gets stuck on. The heater you were referring to is the jager which is now made by eheim. They are good heaters in my experience.

[dkh0331]

I have used a Ranco temp controller and a couple of Finnex titanium heaters for several years now. Once a year a pull the heaters out and scrub them off.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I'm a Jager user (no controller). I've had one in constant use for almost 7 years now and it is still keeping a stable temp. ;) Steer clear of Visa-therms. They are known to get stuck inthe "on" position and cook tanks. It happened to me twice before I purchased the Jager.

[Whisperer]

I have been using Jager as well from the beginning and still have the same heater since 2003.

[Bigjohnwoody]

New to this but I have done a ton of research on heaters and the common statement is all heaters fail eventually and the best heater is one on a controller! That being said the majority of people like jager heaters. They are extremely durable and very reliable, but as I said all heaters can potentially fail! I just purchased four Jager heaters so that is my take.

[cloak]

I've been using 3 separate Aquaclear heaters for years without any problems. (3 different tanks) No controller though. Aside from going to work or catching a ball game once in awhile, I'm at the house way too often for a failed heater to get the best of me. My reef tank is only about 4' from the foot of my bed, so I don't miss to much. :)

[edsreef]

Maybe I'm just dumb but......Can't the contacts in temp controller get stuck too?

[jeff@zina.com]

Maybe I'm just dumb but......Can't the contacts in temp controller get stuck too?

Not really, they work differently than a heater thermostat does. And it's almost never the contacts in a heater getting stuck, it's a failure of the bimetal strip that moves the contacts.

And for as many times as I hear the "XYZ heaters always fail" comment I have to believe that all heaters everywhere must ship from the factory broken. The failure rate of heaters is mercifully quite low. And there are plenty of ways to safeguard a failed heater from causing a tank problem.

Jeff

[Reverend Reefer]

Not really, they work differently than a heater thermostat does. And it's almost never the contacts in a heater getting stuck, it's a failure of the bimetal strip that moves the contacts.

And for as many times as I hear the "XYZ heaters always fail" comment I have to believe that all heaters everywhere must ship from the factory broken. The failure rate of heaters is mercifully quite low. And there are plenty of ways to safeguard a failed heater from causing a tank problem.

Jeff

hi jeff, what are these safeguards you speak of for a failed heater causing a tank problem? i finally decided to up my tank temp to the higher 77 range and just placed an old 300W Aqueon heater in the display and after reading the exploding heater problems... well now i'm worried.

[dafunkyman]

I have the 100w for my 20g. What is a controller? Is it just a safety device so it doesnt overheat? How much does it cost or do yall think it better for me to buy a Jager

[bertoni]

I've had a lot of heaters die on me, including at least one Jager. I switched to multiple heaters and a controller.

[BrianOKC]

Multiple Jager heaters on a controller. Can't be beat IMO!!!

[wbdevers]

I've got a Marine Land submersible and I love it. I've set the temp and it stays there. I've tested my temp with an electronic meter from work and the temp is within .5 degrees. It's also encased in black plastic so it blends in and it won't break.
You asked what a controller is--it is a programmable electronic "switch". You set it at your parameters and it "controls" them. For example, if your heater and controller are set at 78 and the heater fries, the controller will cut the power to prevent the tank from overheating basically. I would like to get one eventually but I'm not running one yet because I can't afford one right now. Others have talked about a certain brand that's about $100 that they swear by, but I don't remember the name. HTH

W

[James404]

I've got a Marine Land submersible and I love it. I've set the temp and it stays there. I've tested my temp with an electronic meter from work and the temp is within .5 degrees. It's also encased in black plastic so it blends in and it won't break.
You asked what a controller is--it is a programmable electronic "switch". You set it at your parameters and it "controls" them. For example, if your heater and controller are set at 78 and the heater fries, the controller will cut the power to prevent the tank from overheating basically. I would like to get one eventually but I'm not running one yet because I can't afford one right now. Others have talked about a certain brand that's about $100 that they swear by, but I don't remember the name. HTH

W

The heater you have is a stealth or a stealth pro, these are the heaters that are exploding in peoples tanks. Might want to look into them and decide if you really want to take that risk.

It's one thing for heaters to get stuck on which happens with many, but the amount of explosions that have occured with stealths is unbelievable.

[jeff@zina.com]

hi jeff, what are these safeguards you speak of for a failed heater causing a tank problem?

The basic ones are using two heaters, each about half the rating for the full tank, and using a controller. With two heaters, one failing on won't raise the temp as high as a single one capable of raising the entire tank too high. Controllers are a separate mechanism to control the heaters that is less prone to failure. Going further, a reef control system like the Reef Keeper or the Apex can shut down power to heaters and send alerts when a tank over heats. As well as control a lot of other functions for you.

Jeff

[jeff@zina.com]

The heater you have is a stealth or a stealth pro, these are the heaters that are exploding in peoples tanks.

There are specific lots that had a manufacturing problem, and Marineland will replace your heater if it's in those lots. Call them at 1-800-322-1266. Other lots do not have issues. If I remember, the lot number is on the top of the heater in tiny white print.

Personally, I like the Finnex titanium heaters. But I use cheaper ones because I can't afford to replace them all with the Finnex. :(

Jeff

[greech]

Does anyone know what is causing the failures? Is the sticking in the "on" position for an extended time period causing them to explode or something else in the wiring/electronics? I ask because if a controller can help prevent a heater from cooking by getting stuck maybe the controllers will also help to keep them from exploding.

Guess another way to ask is...Has anyones heater that has exploded been hooked up to a controller?

[devilsthird]

Thanks, great info in here!

[ccsuzy]

I was told the failures were due to faulty sealant - it doesn't expand properly as the heater warms, so it explodes.

[greech]

I was told the failures were due to faulty sealant - it doesn't expand properly as the heater warms, so it explodes.

Good to know. Thank you for helping to clarify this. Just thought it would be good to know what a controller can actually protect against.

[dafunkyman]

How much would a controller cost? I would rather fet a reliable heater than get a expensive controller. Is there any way to test a heater? Someone said that explosions are due to faulty sealent. What is overheating caused by? And can I test it by putting it in a bucket and setting the temperature high?

[dch384]

Bulk Reef Supply has reefkeeper lite for $94, it can control 4 outputs and comes with temp probe it is great beginner controler with ability to expand

[cubsare1]

http://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc211000000-stage-prewired-temperature-controller-p-110.html?osCsid=035f9ad2d0a6e0cfebb3a88effdcfdcc
this is the controller I use. Turns on your heaters and if it get too hot it will turn on a fan to cool the tank down.