best heater

briangg57 · 02/01/2008, 10:03 AM

I've ran a Rena Cal Top Light excel 300 watt heater with a100 watt backup for 4 years. Is this a really good heater or am I just lucky? How often should I replace the heaters. I don't want to wait untill I have a problem. I've read of people buying a brand new heater only to fry thier tank. For this reason I'm afraid to buy a new one.

shred5 · 02/01/2008, 10:06 AM

There is not a best heater. I have been in the hobby a long time and have used just about every heater out there and even the so called good heaters fail. The thermostats in them stink. I now use a renco controller to control my heaters. One of the best investments I have made. My heaters always fail at the worst times like the day I am going out of town on vaction.

Dave

gimmito · 02/02/2008, 10:43 PM

I'm partial to the visa therm stealth (you don't have to worry about glass breaking) and ebo-jager for accuracy.

strendo · 02/03/2008, 06:56 PM

I've also used most of the heaters out and I've had them all fail (especially on salt water). I've had the best experiences with Ebo Jager heaters, but I would never use one without a 2nd controller as a backup. Just plug it into your controller and set it for a few degrees higher so it goes out if it stays on.

northbay-reefer · 02/03/2008, 07:00 PM

Ebo is the best

reefergeorge · 02/03/2008, 07:28 PM

The controller is much more important than the heater.
I use a Ranco with two 250 watt titanium heaters.

Medaka · 02/04/2008, 01:37 AM

I run a few smaller heaters, so if one ever does get stuck on/off it wont be the end for your tank.

I wouldn't use any glass heater. Thats just asking for trouble.

compulsivebasta · 02/04/2008, 08:47 PM

I have had great success running both stealth heater and ebo jager heater in my tank

Txcowboy22 · 02/05/2008, 03:28 PM

I have had a few heaters, I really like the fluval tronic. They seem to keep my tank at a steady temp.....

02/01/2008, 10:03 AM	#1
briangg57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 634	best heater I've ran a Rena Cal Top Light excel 300 watt heater with a100 watt backup for 4 years. Is this a really good heater or am I just lucky? How often should I replace the heaters. I don't want to wait untill I have a problem. I've read of people buying a brand new heater only to fry thier tank. For this reason I'm afraid to buy a new one.

02/02/2008, 10:43 PM	#3
gimmito Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: millbrae,ca Posts: 851	I'm partial to the visa therm stealth (you don't have to worry about glass breaking) and ebo-jager for accuracy. __________________ 450 gallon L-shaped display Current Tank Info: Working on a 450 display. 34 gal Red Sea Max.

02/03/2008, 07:00 PM	#5
northbay-reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wine country Posts: 4,831	Ebo is the best __________________ go BIG or go home Current Tank Info: Tankless :D

02/03/2008, 07:28 PM	#6
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	The controller is much more important than the heater. I use a Ranco with two 250 watt titanium heaters. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

02/01/2008, 10:06 AM	#2
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	There is not a best heater. I have been in the hobby a long time and have used just about every heater out there and even the so called good heaters fail. The thermostats in them stink. I now use a renco controller to control my heaters. One of the best investments I have made. My heaters always fail at the worst times like the day I am going out of town on vaction. Dave

02/03/2008, 06:56 PM	#4
strendo Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 348	I've also used most of the heaters out and I've had them all fail (especially on salt water). I've had the best experiences with Ebo Jager heaters, but I would never use one without a 2nd controller as a backup. Just plug it into your controller and set it for a few degrees higher so it goes out if it stays on.

02/04/2008, 01:37 AM	#7
Medaka Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Orange, calif Posts: 609	I run a few smaller heaters, so if one ever does get stuck on/off it wont be the end for your tank. I wouldn't use any glass heater. Thats just asking for trouble.

02/04/2008, 08:47 PM	#8
compulsivebasta Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 50	I have had great success running both stealth heater and ebo jager heater in my tank

02/05/2008, 03:28 PM	#9
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	I have had a few heaters, I really like the fluval tronic. They seem to keep my tank at a steady temp.....