Heater..

[Tflow256]

So I'm looking to purchase 2 heaters for my 40b. Looking at the cobalt neo-therms. Any input on these as far as reliability and quality? I would love to have my heaters run off a apex but not in my budget right now but without a doubt will be in my future. Open to other suggestions as well but I know a lot of people run the ehiem jäger heaters but read about a bunch of issues with them lately.

[James77]

Every hobby grade heater is going to a weak point in a tank. You simply cannot get high quality materials(namely the bimetal thermostat) at the price they are wanted for.
You can get a Ranco dedicated heater controller for about $50-$60, it takes minimal wiring. But they are extremely reliable...you can plug a couple heaters of any quality in there and not worry about toasting your tank.

If that is still out of the budget, the Eheims are the ones I see the most positive reviews on.

[Tflow256]

I was looking at temp-controllers as a temporary option but convinced myself not to spend $ on them and just save for the apex. Maybe I'll just look into getting one still and look to sell it once I'm ready for the apex. Thanks

[supervdl]

you should get a controller - better safe than sorry.

[Breadman03]

The Ranco units are just as reliable as Apex, just no remote control that I'm aware of.

[Tflow256]

https://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc111000000-digital-temperature-controller-prewired-p-87.html
Is this what you guys are referring to?

[James77]

Rancos are even more reliable than an Apex(or any reef controller). I use one independently of my Apex...I have found having all your eggs in one basket as far as control is asking for problems :)

[James77]

https://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc111000000-digital-temperature-controller-prewired-p-87.html
Is this what you guys are referring to?

Yes, that is the prewired one. They make a dual stage one as well.

If you are up for some minor electrical wiring(it is super easy, there are instructions on line) you can save a few bucks assuming you have some cord laying around.

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ETC-111000-000-Single-Stage-ETC-Temperature-Control-w-Sensor-120-240V-Input-Includes-8-Cord

[Tflow256]

Ok cool. Would it still be wise to run 2 heaters with this or one should be fine?

[crock921]

i run an eheim and am happy with it. I have heard great things about the cobalts but havent used one

[James77]

Ok cool. Would it still be wise to run 2 heaters with this or one should be fine?

I run just one on my 120, A 500W Finnex heating tube only.

But, having a couple would add some more layers of safety. Lets say you need 300w of heat on a tank. Running 300w heating tube only has you rely on the Ranco only, which is highly reliable. Adding 2 150w heaters to that Ranco with their thermostats set 2-3 degrees higher adds some safety should the Ranco stick on. It also allows some heat should one heater fail. You are still left with a problem should the Ranco fail to kick on...but again, they are very reliable controllers.

The more redundancy the better :)

[Tflow256]

Ok yeah that makes sense. Now, I'm definitely going to take advice one way or the other... But I have a 15% off coupon from marinedepot, they don't sell the ranco but have a jbj controller with titanium heater. Any input on this from anyone?

[Tpakiz]

I have a JBJ...worked great for 12-14 months...then it had an error code...called JBJ (which isn't easy to do) and for $20 got a new temp prob. That cleared the error code, but after recalibrating it, the display kept jumping around (like a +/-3 degree swing in 20-30 seconds and a new displayed temp every second or so)...thought it was okay, as it was fairly consistent, just not accurate, but the temp tank was 90+ (78 set point) when read off a glass thermometer.

I loved it when it worked, but I don't know of I can trust it...

[shane784]

i run the Neo-Therm 200w on my 40br frag tank. i have never seen the temp indicator outside of the set temp. constant 78d. i highly recommend them.

[tidus10]

I love that this hobby also uses Rancos. In the Herp hobby (snakes/reptiles) they are the least reliable source. Just kinda funny

[cvcoda]

I read a thread on here somewhere about a couple people who were running the cobalt neotherm 200W and they exploded inside their sumps.

[Reef Frog]

Rancos are even more reliable than an Apex(or any reef controller). I use one independently of my Apex...I have found having all your eggs in one basket as far as control is asking for problems :)

Wise words. You can never do enough to make a system bomb proof IMO.

[Silvergryphon]

I've not had good luck with Cobalt brand, I had a cobalt Accu-therm blow in half in my sump, and my cobalt Neo-flow power head quit after 4 months.

[shifty51008]

Wise words. You can never do enough to make a system bomb proof IMO.

thats true but the ranco is only doing one thing, and thats to control the temp less to fail. apex, reef keepers, ect are all doing alot of stuff so there is much more things to cause them to fail.