Looking for a good heater

Special_Ed · 12/28/2009, 08:45 AM

Due to various circumstances I am in the process of rebuilding 75gl reef and will needs a quality heater or heating system. I have used ebo's, rena cal, and visatherm in the past and have not been impressed. What is the best way for maintaining temp in a reef? Any suggestions appreciated.

lizardarm · 12/28/2009, 08:51 AM

IMO Ebo(Eheim now) and a Ranco controller. Eheim Jaeger heaters are pretty long lasting units, but like most aquarium heaters they're thermostats are just plain aggrivating.

ChrisOz · 12/28/2009, 08:53 AM

I use Marineland Stealth heaters and have never had a problem. I've had a 250W and a 200W (redundancy) in my sump of my 40 system for almost a year and temp is constantly 79-80.5... going to keep the same combo for my new 65.

Playa-1 · 12/28/2009, 09:06 AM

Finnex TH titanium is the way I will go next time I get ready to purchase heaters. I would suggest using a heater in the sump and one in the DT. Also use a temp controller in addition to the thermostat with the heater. Use the Controller to operate the heaters and the heaters thermostat as a fail-safe. Divide the total heat requirement for the tank between at least two heaters.

armani4o3 · 12/28/2009, 09:07 AM

I use Marineland Stealth never had any problems

bassking16 · 12/28/2009, 12:09 PM

You are probably going to get a wide range of answers on this one, but here is my two cents.. I currently use Hydor heaters in both my tank. No problems for the last 7 months. I have also heard good things about the Stealth heaters as well.
Best of luck,
Bassking

lucidheights · 12/28/2009, 12:40 PM

A controller will make any heater work very well in my experience. i have an RKL
my temp fluctuates no more than .2 degrees

Asterix · 12/28/2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisOz

I use Marineland Stealth heaters and have never had a problem. I've had a 250W and a 200W (redundancy) in my sump of my 40 system for almost a year and temp is constantly 79-80.5... going to keep the same combo for my new 65.

I just switched to a marine land stealth shatter resistant heater too...My temp is also held within .5 degrees

I don't have long term experience with this brand, but so far, I am very happy!

sedor · 12/28/2009, 01:11 PM

I've used stealth heaters for years as well. I actually have 3. Only downside is that they don't have any sort of indicator light to tell you when the heater is on. I use mine on a controller as well, so I can tell when it going on and off, but it would be nice every once in a while to be able to look and see that when the controller says the heater is off it didn't get stuck on or vice versa.

sedor · 12/28/2009, 01:14 PM

Scratch that I just looked on Dr Foster Smith website. I guess the new stealths have an indicator light. So I guess I really have no complaints, except that its time for me to get a new one

Asterix · 12/28/2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedor

Scratch that I just looked on Dr Foster Smith website. I guess the new stealths have an indicator light. So I guess I really have no complaints, except that its time for me to get a new one

Really? lol, I got ripped off then. I just bought mine a week or two ago and I didn't get the indicator light

Old stock I guess

Special_Ed · 12/28/2009, 01:51 PM

Thanks for all the great input. How do controllers work and where do I get them? I am really new to this heater issue.

12/28/2009, 08:45 AM	#1
Special_Ed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Susquehanna Valley Posts: 32	Looking for a good heater Due to various circumstances I am in the process of rebuilding 75gl reef and will needs a quality heater or heating system. I have used ebo's, rena cal, and visatherm in the past and have not been impressed. What is the best way for maintaining temp in a reef? Any suggestions appreciated.

12/28/2009, 08:51 AM	#2
lizardarm Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: between a rock and a hard place Posts: 182	IMO Ebo(Eheim now) and a Ranco controller. Eheim Jaeger heaters are pretty long lasting units, but like most aquarium heaters they're thermostats are just plain aggrivating. __________________ Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently motivated fool. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/28/2009, 08:53 AM	#3
ChrisOz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 95	I use Marineland Stealth heaters and have never had a problem. I've had a 250W and a 200W (redundancy) in my sump of my 40 system for almost a year and temp is constantly 79-80.5... going to keep the same combo for my new 65. __________________ chrisoz@yorku.ca Current Tank Info: 48x24x20 (100g) build

12/28/2009, 12:09 PM	#6
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Hello You are probably going to get a wide range of answers on this one, but here is my two cents.. I currently use Hydor heaters in both my tank. No problems for the last 7 months. I have also heard good things about the Stealth heaters as well. Best of luck, Bassking __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

12/28/2009, 01:11 PM	#9
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I've used stealth heaters for years as well. I actually have 3. Only downside is that they don't have any sort of indicator light to tell you when the heater is on. I use mine on a controller as well, so I can tell when it going on and off, but it would be nice every once in a while to be able to look and see that when the controller says the heater is off it didn't get stuck on or vice versa. __________________ Ryan

12/28/2009, 09:06 AM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Finnex TH titanium is the way I will go next time I get ready to purchase heaters. I would suggest using a heater in the sump and one in the DT. Also use a temp controller in addition to the thermostat with the heater. Use the Controller to operate the heaters and the heaters thermostat as a fail-safe. Divide the total heat requirement for the tank between at least two heaters.

12/28/2009, 09:07 AM	#5
armani4o3 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: reading pa Posts: 222	I use Marineland Stealth never had any problems

12/28/2009, 12:40 PM	#7
lucidheights NYRC member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Jackson Heights NY Posts: 349	A controller will make any heater work very well in my experience. i have an RKL my temp fluctuates no more than .2 degrees

12/28/2009, 01:14 PM	#10
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Scratch that I just looked on Dr Foster Smith website. I guess the new stealths have an indicator light. So I guess I really have no complaints, except that its time for me to get a new one __________________ Ryan

12/28/2009, 01:51 PM	#12
Special_Ed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Susquehanna Valley Posts: 32	Thanks for all the great input. How do controllers work and where do I get them? I am really new to this heater issue.