Heaters are poor quality

[Cincy Ranchu]

Last Saturaday Doug Wolf and Chris Stufft were over culling Ranchu and spawning Bristols. I got a current download on a ground faulted Marineland "stealth- 200 watt" heater that was on a year old.:badidea: All of these plastic heaters seems to have a very short life, most just go to on and drive the tank into the mid 80's.
So, I went on-line last night to the heater sale at Dr Fosters and Smith and bought some new ones....

I am curious, what is the best cheap to mid priced heater and also what is the best heater. Visitherm? Japer? Hydor, etc

WHAT SAY YOU?

[Corrie]

Gary, I gather these are for stand alone tanks and not a system.
I think everyone has that same problem with heaters, I know I do.
Try this, instead of getting one heater that's big enough to do the whole tank, get a bunch of small ones.
If one goes bonkers on you, it won't boil the tank.
I use a bunch of 50w stealth heaters and just add more or take more away to barely keep the temps where I need them.

For the big systems, I use CLEPCO commercial heaters. Which are spot on.

[ryukin girl]

I had the exact same thing happen with that same model of Stealth. With unfortunate results (I was treating two 5-6in fish for dropsy symptoms, the tank shot up to 95*F overnight and lost both fish due to what I assume was renal failure).

I was looking into the Titanium heaters, are they any good?

....such as the Azoo: http://www.marinedepot.com/Azoo_Titanium_Heater_Titanium_Heaters-Azoo-AZ60067-FIHTTH-vi.html

[Ranchumaniax]

Gary,

I am using these and it's work for me. Except that i have to pull the plug out everytime i do water change. These are real cheap and submersible. Just glass shattering;

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=VA1111&child=VA1123&utm_source=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=VA1123&tab=0


However, they are release a new product that build with Titanium with remote. It is kinda cool, but more money. I am about to place an order both glass and titanium one. I dont know where u normally buy your fish accessory. But you can also check my price......mine always cheaper than most online store....

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/239918/product.web

[BruceP]

Paul...... about a month ago I bought two of the titanium heaters that you put a link to. I had one catch fire while changing water in the tank.... it was actually smoking. It's supposed to have a shut off if water is low but apparently doesnt work. The second one works fine but I unplug it for water changes. I just installed a Hydor inline heater on a cannister filter that seems like a nice unit.... time will tell. I've tried a bunch of titanium heaters with separate controllers from AES with very poor results as well. Ive come to the conclusion that there are no good heaters for individual tanks.

[suphi]

I've used RenaSmart heaters in 3 diff tanks for the past 3-4 years, no issues. I have 100W, 200W, and 300W versions.

[mikel]

I like to make a suggestion about heaters. I switched over to jager and have had no problems. They are high quality and reasonably priced. As you know, discus require high temp (at 84 F at least) and we discus keepers take heaters very seriously. I get mine at Jehmco.com at a good price (in fact, I think they have a lot of stuff at a good price...check them out). I am not associated with them in any way, just passing along what works for me. mike

[Cincy Ranchu]

Yes, these folks are really,really nice to work with. This is where I bought my room air exchanger, they were most helpful!:yess:

[Ichthius]

Ebo jagers are the only glass heater I'll use.

For systems I've got a couple jalli they are hard to beat for the price. I learned about them from reefers so they hold up. I don't trust the contollers so i use a ranci temperature controller to run the element.
http://all-aquatics.com/store/item/z7r6/Heaters_and_Chillers/Controller_by_Jalli_Titanium_Heaters.html
http://all-aquatics.com/store/item/z7qz/Heaters_and_Chillers/Jalli_Titanium_Heaters_800_Watt.html

[suphi]

Ebo jagers are the only glass heater I'll use.

For systems I've got a couple jalli they are hard to beat for the price. I learned about them from reefers so they hold up. I don't trust the contollers so i use a ranci temperature controller to run the element.
http://all-aquatics.com/store/item/z7r6/Heaters_and_Chillers/Controller_by_Jalli_Titanium_Heaters.html
http://all-aquatics.com/store/item/z7qz/Heaters_and_Chillers/Jalli_Titanium_Heaters_800_Watt.html

^I might consider these for my outdoor tubs, although I've heard bad things about titanium heater's lifespan. Thanks.

[bluebelly]

Ebo Jagers only kind I use.

[Ichthius]

I just noticed an autocorrect typo in my post...

The controllers I use is Ranco ETC-111000:
http://www.climatedoctors.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=429705

[bekko]

Visi-Therm are accurate, reliable, have a life-time warranty, are inexpensive, and come in a half-dozen sizes.

-steve

[Ichthius]

Do they still have the screw type temperature adjustment that moves the temp indicator? I've had several lock up on me and either stick on or not allow you to adjust the temperature.

Any tips or tricks would be appreciated as I have a dozen or more that I've just given up on.

[George Ludrosky]

I've been using the Hagen AquaClear easy set heaters. I haven't had any problems with them and I've a few for over 6 years and they still work great.

[VeiltailGuy]

I used to use the plastic body stealth heater but have also had bad experience with them not lasting long, one even put a electric charge in my tank and fried my stingray (gave me a nice suprize when I fished out the guy)
I have since switched to Visa-therm and aqua-clears with minimal issues:exact:

[marlin08]

Well, Fudge X(
Every heater I have is a Stealth ranging from 150 - 250 and all a year old or less...trying to find something relatively "safe"...no problems (yet) but thanks for the heads up, I guess I'll be diligent on the unplugging before I shove my hand in next time...

[Cincy Ranchu]

Well, Fudge X(
Every heater I have is a Stealth ranging from 150 - 250 and all a year old or less...trying to find something relatively "safe"...no problems (yet) but thanks for the heads up, I guess I'll be diligent on the unplugging before I shove my hand in next time...

Yes it can be quite a surprize:exact:

[goldfishin]

Ebo jagers are what I use the most. I still have 2 of the old green ones that work. In my 200 gal. stingray tank, there is one 300 watt stuck at 82 degrees. Been going for years. It won't go over 82. I keep a back up in there in case the stuck one blows!

Gary still has good reflexes!!!
Doug

[marlin08]

Ebo jagers are what I use the most. I still have 2 of the old green ones that work. In my 200 gal. stingray tank, there is one 300 watt stuck at 82 degrees. Been going for years. It won't go over 82. I keep a back up in there in case the stuck one blows!

Gary still has good reflexes!!!
Doug

After getting shocked countless times working around electric fence for horses, it's just something I never get "used to"!!
There is something about past experience of seeing blue light arc from a finger to an electrified wire (that was supposedly dead/unplugged ...) that makes the thought of experiencing that in water ....less than desirable...would prefer to avoid at all costs...:confuse:

[bekko]

Always touch the water with the back of your hand first. If there is loose current your reflex will be to pull your hand out of the water instead of sticking it farther into the water. Of course, everything should be on GFI circuits.

-steve

[mikroll]

here I read all the most interesting discusion on heat systems. Now I ask you how many tanks,(heated elements) do you use? Because system that I know used here ( Italy) is to heat the room site to the desired temperature with a gas unit hot water/ air heat exchanger. That proves to be much more economical and practical than 600 electrical heaters. ( no electrical in tanks )

[suphi]

I'm looking at Catalina 500W Titanium heater for my tub, it seems to get good review on amazon.com. However, since I'm gonna have a mini fish house I wonder if a cheap patio/deck heater would be a better option...:youtellme:

[Ichthius]

In my experience Catalina makes cheap products. I wouldn't use a cheap heater with such expensive fish.

[suphi]

How about this one. Kind of expensive but I like the encasement, it would prevent fish from being burned upon contact with the heater. Temp also adjustable from 32 to 99F (most heaters I checked won't go below 68F).

http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/contents/en-us/p10989.html

[BruceP]

Looks nice but sure isnt cheap. If you are concerned about burning the fish, drop the heater into a length of that 1.5" pvc you cut off your tubs :me:

[Corrie]

suphi, all you need to do is wrap the heater in some gutter guard.

http://www.gutterguardsfaq.com/guard1.jpg

I'm wondering if a 500w heater is going to be enough for your tub outside.
Keep this in mind, bubble wrap is great insulation. Wrap it all around the tub and over the top too when it gets cold.
Also, plan ahead, set the tub on several layers of hard foam wall insulation to insulate the bottom.

[suphi]

Tub holds 107G it's big but shallow, so 500W is about right. I only need to keep water temp in the mid 60s so it won't get much used during this time of the year. Putting heater inside PVC tube is also a good idea.

[small_ranchu]

How about this one. Kind of expensive but I like the encasement, it would prevent fish from being burned upon contact with the heater. Temp also adjustable from 32 to 99F (most heaters I checked won't go below 68F).

http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/contents/en-us/p10989.html

Is there any heater that go below 68F beside this JBJ one? I want a range between 50F to 70+.

[runningwater]

Is there any heater that go below 68F beside this JBJ one? I want a range between 50F to 70+.

Use a Ranco Thermostat controller.
It will take over the thermostatic control of the heater and also make the heater last longer.

http://goldfishkeepers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=22436&postcount=4

http://goldfishkeepers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=22524&postcount=5