View Full Version : heaters
luckydog104
06/12/2011, 10:37 PM
I am not new to the hobby but thought this was best place to ask. I am sick of buying heaters. I have a 125 upgrading to a 300 gallon system. Upgrade is purchased but will be a while before I set it up. I have had heater problems and failure consistently ever since I set up the 125. I have not used a titanium heater and my lfs can not get them saying the suppliers say they cause to much trouble so they quit carrying them. What is the most trouble free heater for me to buy for my 125 and my 300 ??
sporto0
06/12/2011, 11:01 PM
do not buy titanium heaters or so called stealth heaters, epic fail, eheim jagr heaters are accurate & dependable. for the 125, (1) 250 watt & for the 300, (2) 250 watt heaters
The Eheim Jager heaters seem to be well praised on here for being dependable, and that's what I use. However, I don't think any heater is 100% fail safe.
sporto0
06/13/2011, 12:46 AM
The Eheim Jager heaters seem to be well praised on here for being dependable, and that's what I use. However, I don't think any heater is 100% fail safe.
nothing in life is 100% fail safe, especially reef keeping, i can only speak from 15 years of saltwater experience.
stangd1909
06/13/2011, 12:51 AM
I have a Fluval E 300Watt Electronic Heater in my 100 gallon with no problems. I as well just upgraded to a 300 gallon tank. I'm thinking of buying one more E300 and calling it a day. Although the Eheim Jager heaters are cheaper....I might give one on those a try.
pmrossetti
06/13/2011, 12:53 AM
2nd jager. had titanium and all crapped out on me.2 300s is good.
jr_casteel1999
06/13/2011, 12:56 AM
i have been running the stealth heaters in my tanks for over a year now and never had a problem with them. they are made by marineland. not sure if we are talking about the same heaters? but yea all heaters are known to fail. i like to change mine at about the one year mark just to keep from having a disaster but the older ones i do have i keep an eye on.
thebkramer
06/13/2011, 05:41 AM
I have a Fluval E 300Watt Electronic Heater in my 100 gallon with no problems. .
+1
I love this heater :bounce3:
jcolletteiii
06/13/2011, 10:12 AM
i have been running the stealth heaters in my tanks for over a year now and never had a problem with them. they are made by marineland. not sure if we are talking about the same heaters? but yea all heaters are known to fail. i like to change mine at about the one year mark just to keep from having a disaster but the older ones i do have i keep an eye on.
Stealth heaters have been recalled. They can burst in your tank, causing tank failure.
Orcrone
06/13/2011, 10:18 AM
Regardless of heater chosen I'd recommend putting it on a controller. Heaters are notorious for sticking in the ON position, cooking a tank.
cloak
06/13/2011, 11:14 AM
I've been using the Aquaclear heaters in both my freshwater & saltwater tanks for years on end without any problems.
snorvich
06/13/2011, 12:13 PM
Regardless of heater chosen I'd recommend putting it on a controller. Heaters are notorious for sticking in the ON position, cooking a tank.
Absolutely. Ranco or equivalent.
snorvich
06/13/2011, 12:15 PM
I am sure those who say they love their heaters and have no problems are happy. BUT do you really want to roll the dice? Some issues, like heaters, should be double fault protected. Look at it as inexpensive insurance.
mjwz06
06/13/2011, 01:20 PM
Regardless of the heater you decide, it's a good idea to install a backup as well. If you set it 1-2 degrees lower, the backup will come on if (when) the 1st heater fails.
+1 Eheim Jager btw
jbonez
06/13/2011, 01:24 PM
i have a ehiem jager 250 watt in my 75gl & it keeps my water at a steady 80 degrees
gweston
06/13/2011, 01:44 PM
I have a Fluval E 300Watt Electronic Heater in my 100 gallon with no problems. I as well just upgraded to a 300 gallon tank. I'm thinking of buying one more E300 and calling it a day. Although the Eheim Jager heaters are cheaper....I might give one on those a try.
i picked up two of these myself for my new up and coming system ~225 gal Total water volume. I currently run a smaller Fluval E in my current small tank. Well built.. but you pay for it. Not cheap.
lucky_snapper
06/13/2011, 01:52 PM
Im using the Rena smart heater and it has been going strong for about 2 years now with out failure. It is extremely accurate, efficient and is made out of a hard plastic so you can't accidentally break it. The 300 watt model only cost $20 and has red LED warning light to alert you of any problems. Check it out http://www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium_Pharmaceuticals_RENA_SmartHeater_Inline_Specialty_Heaters-Aquarium_Pharmaceuticals_API_MARS_Fishcare-AP7151-FIHTIH-vi.html
windyridge
06/13/2011, 01:58 PM
GREAT idea about the back up heater MJW, I will do that today.
fishchef
06/13/2011, 03:36 PM
I had Stealths for three years. Marineland even replaced them when they stopped heating. I continued to use them, put them on a Ranco, with a GFCI circut. I got a notice on a recall and was reimbursed $50 when I returned them. After some research I went with Ehiem/Jager. I could find nothing on line negative. Lots of problems with titanium heaters posted on line. I was tired of dealing with new products. Jager has been around for a long time.
aquaman05
06/13/2011, 04:43 PM
i went with the jbj heater. So far i like it.
Dont read into heaters to much though or you will never get one....lol
Just grab one of the ones here op have recommended.
snorvich
06/13/2011, 05:31 PM
Hey guys, when heaters fail, it is almost always the control mechanism and the vast majority of the time it sticks in the ON position. Do you really want to risk frying your animals?
aleonn
06/13/2011, 06:13 PM
I've used the Rena SmartHeaters and JBJ Tru-Temps with good results. I have them hooked up to an Apex controller to provide some peace of mind.
RocketSurgeon
06/14/2011, 11:13 AM
do not buy titanium heaters or so called stealth heaters, epic fail, eheim jagr heaters are accurate & dependable. for the 125, (1) 250 watt & for the 300, (2) 250 watt heaters
It has been said to buy two or three smaller heaters than one large heater.
This will be an additional safety feature. If one small heater (100 watt) gets stuck in the on position, it would take longer than 24 hours to "cook" the tank. If the large heater (300 watt) sticks on, it may "cook" the tank in only a couple hours...ie before you get home from work that day.
A controller or similar device would be money well invested for safety as well.
http://www.beananimal.com/articles/aquarium-heaters-what-you-need-to-know!.aspx
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.