Current best heater

[ebe]

I have had two eheim heaters fail on me in the last year. One not even 6 months old. I have always liked these, but not so much anymore. What are you using/recommending? I need to get something new for the 310.

[rams]

Heaters naturally fail eventually, hopefully not a boiling situation. I’ve always had good odds with Finnex, but I pay for the nicer ones with the digital displays.


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[clevername]

This will help explain redundancy needed

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/best-heater-management-strategy-for-stable-reef-tank-temperature-the-brs-wwc-system-ep14-brstv/

[ebe]

After watching the video I am thinking two titanium finnex heaters without controllers and running them off my apex ( I have two temperature probes ). For a 310 and 70ish gallon sump, what wattage? Or should I still have controllers on the heaters and not trust the apex?

[Mr D smack]

Having everything operating through a single controller is cool till that sole controller goes out. Personally I use the fancy 500 watt finnex with digital display on my 280


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[Crooked Reef]

Personally I would have two heaters on their own controller like the inkbird or the BRS one plugged into the energy bar and the apex as a back up to shut them off if their controller fails. I have never had a heater fail off, just on. The apex sending an alarm and shutting them off at 80 can save your tank.

[Jboone82590]

I agree with crooked reef.

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[ebe]

Thanks for the advice.

[huff747]

Agree with the second controller. Even Terrance from Apex will say not to plug a titanium heating element directly into the apex. I think it’s in one of his live-streams.

[Nanook]

I use three finnex 500 watt titanium heaters on Medusa controllers on my 600 gallon reef system.

[mkart]

My apex classic hung up a few months ago and had all 3 heater on for a few days until I noticed it thought the temp was 70 degrees. Tank heated to about 81 since I had the cheap heaters set that high. If not for that secondary protection my tank would have been toast. I set alarm notifications after that.


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[clevername]

Personally I would have two heaters on their own controller like the inkbird or the BRS one plugged into the energy bar and the apex as a back up to shut them off if their controller fails. I have never had a heater fail off, just on. The apex sending an alarm and shutting them off at 80 can save your tank.

This is what i do

[Nanook]

Redundant heaters and controllers. I also use a lab grade handheld analog thermometer monthly to keep my controllers honest. They need adjustments occasionally. Ranco controllers are dependable too.