I need a heater that isnt junk!

[stang8s]

I started out 3 years ago with a won brothers titanium, got rid of it in short time as it was unreliable and the controller was awful.

Then i got 2 of the large Ebo heaters, both leaked water into the tubes in less then a year.

Then i got 2 of the stealth heaters. Today i realize my main one, trips the gfci when it is moved at all. It gets hot but if you touch it - trip.

So who makes something thats going to last more then a year?

 

[NateHanson]

I found the Finnex heaters to be very high quality. They have two styles as well. A deluxe line with separate controller and element (a little pricey, but better value than the competing crap probably), and a cheaper line with a simple but reliable analog controller integrated into the plug unit of the element (like Won Bros). This one is not only higher quality than most heaters, but no more expensive. I think I paid about $25 for a 250 watt at AquaAddicts. (granted this was a year or two ago, so memories and prices may have changed).

 

[stang8s]

I called marineland about the stealth, it has a lifetime warranty. The lady told me they dont recommend keeping heaters in the sump since you have a large qty of water in the tank, yet not much water in the sump, she said the heaters tend to overheat because there isnt enough water to cool them.

Thanks for the info nate, i may have to take a ride to AA, been meaning to do that anyway.

 

[MichaelFreedman]

I have a Finnex 800watt. I REALLY like it except it mysteriously popped the fuse in the controller last night.... Now I need to put a new fuse in and buy another one just in case.

Mike

 

[stang8s]

wow 800w is huge! Im going to go to AA tonight and pickup a 250 or 500w

 

[Andy O]

I'll third that about the Finnex. I have 2 x 250, each with the separate controller. The have been very reliable. With something like a heater that could possibly crash your tank if it fails, it is important to purchase the most reliable one you can fit into your budget, even if it means spending a couple of extra dollars. I think that for my 250 w/controller I paid about $44 -- well worth it.

 

[seahorse1]

What about Acura heaters? I have been using those with good luck.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Heck, I've had pretty good luck with the ones that used to come free in the buckets of IO salt. Must be Aquarium Systems brand.

 

[stang8s]

lol greg, knowing you, you probally have some heaters made out of white pvc and gobs of putty, perhaps a rubber band or two and some duct tape

 

[FooManChoo]

Stang, was she saying that there was such a small volume of water in the sump that it would overheat? That doesn't seem to make sense. If your display is constantly overflowing into the sump, which holds the heater, then you're getting display water constantly circulating through the sump. As the water passes through the sump, sump water is constantly being replaced by tank water, which I would guess is coming in cooler than the water leaving the sump to the display, which is already heated. A constantly supply of cool <er> water is flowing over the heater. I see no reason why the heater would overheat in the sump, cuz cold<er> water is constantly being overflowed to the sump. Everybody I know that runs a sump/fuge has the heater in the sump. And I've never heard of a stealth over heating; they turn off as soon as the indicated temp is reached.

-j

 

[stang8s]

Well it seems the finnex is working i guess but the dial is really far off. I have it on 82 on the dial and its 78 in the sump. I guess thats ok as long as its consistant

 

[Andy O]

Is the temp probe from the controller and the titanium tube in the same compartment. Also remember that there is a +/- varience with most thermometers. My finnex is pretty much dead on give or take a little bit.

 

[stang8s]

i have the "ultra compact" model. there is no seperate temp probe

I have 2 old school glass thermometers, they tend to be pretty accurate

 

[RichConley]

Theres no such think as a high quality heater, IMO. The finnex ones arent all titanium, and if you scratch them, they start rusting. (or so I've heard from a bunch of people).

Spend your money on a Ranco, or similar.

 

[Moe_K]

i have the "ultra compact" model. there is no seperate temp probe

I have 2 old school glass thermometers, they tend to be pretty accurate

I just picked up a 300 watt Finnex. It's the same style - the cheap one with no seperate probe. I also noticed that the dial has to be set way higher than the desired temp. I had mine set at 78, and it was shutting off though the water in the tank was still only 73 degrees. Guess the water right around the heater was up to 78.
I now have it turned up to 80. We'll see what happens.

Maybe I shoulda spent the extra dough on the one with the temp probe.

 

[nichols]

I have an 800w Finnex in my sump. I ended up replacing the controller with a Ranco. Haven't had any trouble since. You get what you pay for, guess that's why the Finnex controllers are about $25.
FWIW I also have 2 marineland heaters which are 15 years old. While I would no longer trust them in a tank, they still work very well in my saltwater holding barrels.

 

[marco67]

I also noticed that the dial has to be set way higher than the desired temp. I had mine set at 78, and it was shutting off though the water in the tank was still only 73 degrees. Guess the water right around the heater was up to 78.
I now have it turned up to 80. We'll see what happens.

Maybe I shoulda spent the extra dough on the one with the temp probe.

Moe,
This might be too obvious and you probably have already tried it but:
I've found if you place the heater in a higher flow area of the sump like inbetween the baffels or right by the pick up for the return it helps with this issue.

 

[smcnally]

I just thought I'd post in here that I've been using the same 2 Ebo Jager heaters in my tank for over 2 years now. Haven't had one issue with them. And yes....I'm knocking on some wood right now...

 

[Jim Tansey]

Me to, I have had the same Ebo Jager heaters for four years but just installed a Ranco last week figured I was on thin ice.

Jim

 

[Dave]

I have had lousy luck with heaters this year. Like Steve mentioned the Jager heaters have given me the best performance. The problem is mine is not totally submersible You are suppose to keep the temp dial out of the water so I use it to make water. I am currently using the Finnex controller and 250 watt tube. Both components have failed. The controller about a month after I bought it and the tube would only get warm after about 6 months. Thanks to Mike at Aqua Addicts both were replaced under warranty. Since replacing the part the Finnex has been running great. Just don't get warm and fuzzys with it after the initial failures. I added a Rena top light as a backup for the Finnex so I don't find my tank at 72 degrees again after the Finnex tube failed.