Need Suggestion on a good Heater

[pvh]

I'm looking to buy a couple of 100W heaters. Can anyone recommend a good reliable brand to buy? Should I get one with digital control like the Finnex Digital Heater?

 

[B.rian]

i say go with the finnex. they are easy to use and more reliable than most other heaters.

 

[pvh]

I just think the overheat protection is pointly. I think at 92F everything is already dead. Can this setting be change? Or should I got with the regular heater from Finnex without digital?

"The heater equipped with over heat protection feature.
In Case the aquarium temperature over 92F. the alarm will be on and heating will be discontinued."

 

[Dave]

I have had 2 Finnex controllers and one Finnex tube fail in the past year. One controller stuck on the other won't come on. These were the "good" ones with the separate controller. I just bought a ranco controller that i will use with a titanium tube.

 

[Yaktop]

get heating tubes and a reliable controller.

 

[chew*]

the finnex controllers stick, If you have an aqua controller its not a big deal you can set that to shut it off at 81-82, ranco controllers are pricey but, so are corals. fwiw finnex's titanium tubes die also.

 

[steevareno]

My first finnex was the 300 watt with seperate controller and i had great luck with it but for some reason my new 200watter is not keeping things stable so i bought the ones with the microprocessor. It'll be in next week. Hope that works a little better. Get the TOM digital thermometer with the alarm that sounds at 82.6 degrees for only $20.

 

[Sherri]

I had asked in a separate post if anyone had the finnex reset itself -- perhaps it ios the sticking you are mentioning ...

 

[Sherri]

So I am convinced my finnex is stuck. I found the ranco controllers but I don't know where to find the titanium heating tubes ... help?

 

[chew*]

use that with your finnex titianium heating tube............

 

[Sherri]

so just cut the digital controller off and wire in the ranco?

 

[chew*]

yah i guess that would work, I have the regular dial style finnex controller, I bought that seperate from the finnex titanium tube, the titanium tube has its own plug so basically if i plugged it into a wall socket it would just run 24/7. Wasn't aware that the digital was different. Just cut the plug on the heating element as long as possible and wire in a standard 120 plug. That will plug into the ranco.

 

[nichols]

I had trouble with two different Finnex controllers. One stuck on the other just wouldn't come on. Their controllers are junk IMO. I've been using the finnex tubes, 2- 300w and 1- 800w on Ranco controllers for 2 years now without any problems. The Ranco is a bit more money, but well worth the $$$ when you think what you have invested in corals.

 

[Sherri]

Bill and Chew -- I am really thinking about the Ranco -- I don't think $70 is that bad if you can get some reliability. Do you have the model number for the finnex tubes? Or do you just buy the heaters without the controllers? How does it work -- sorry to be stupid but heaters without controllers have those stupid little useless dials on the top to adjust temp so I am struggling to figure out how it would work.

 

[pvh]

Can the Ranco be use with any brand of heater as well? Also can the Aquacontroller JR do the same and more?

 

[Sherri]

Okay -- temp is going up in the tank -- am now at 79.9 degrees. Will 2 100 watt heaters be able to keep the tank okay? 65 gallon with 20gl sump ...

 

[delta]

so just cut the digital controller off and wire in the ranco?

here is a thread with pics on adding the ranco controller
http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1300&highlight=ranco+controller

 

[Bobbofin]

I have to Finnex with the clear green analog controllers. I was thinking about getting a Ranco. I have a question. When I cut of the cord at the conrtoller which wires go to the element and which ones go to the thermostat temp probe?

 

[Sherri]

Thanks Greg ... now just need to decide which one of the Rancos to go for. Don't need 2 stage but don't know which one stage is the best. Guess I will call them tomorrow as I can't tell what the differences are.

 

[Dave]

Check out Dr. Fosters they carry the Ranco and I think it comes pre wired. I have a won tube that I am going to wire into mine. The model number for the single stage is ETC-111000.