Good heater - Page 2

HumbleFish · 11/15/2018, 06:47 PM

The Eheim Jager heaters are pretty reliable, just takes some fiddling to get it properly calibrated.

As mentioned above, a Reefkeeper or Apex is a MUST with any heater because when they stick it's almost always ON.

JMetaxas · 11/16/2018, 08:17 AM

Here is what I think is the best way to protect against disaster:

Have two aquarium controllers, each with their own separate heater, like an Eheim sufficient to heat your tank, independently.

Set 1 controller at your desired temp, such as 77 degrees. Set the heater associated with it a couple degrees higher, like 80 degrees.

Set 2nd controller at a slightly higher temp, like 79 degrees. Set the heater associated with it at 81 degrees.

So, if the heater used most sticks "ON" (which they do), the controller will shut it off. If the heater doesn't turn on (I had an Eheim break the other day. The light was ON, but the heater didn't produce heat), then Controller # 2 takes over.

Yes, it's quite a lot to manage, but this system works and controllers are not expensive.

ali1 · 11/16/2018, 08:42 AM

As mentioned, they all fail at some point. Use two seperate heaters with a controller

JMetaxas · 11/16/2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ali1

As mentioned, they all fail at some point. Use two seperate heaters with a controller

I've had a controller fail once. Ive also had the temp probe fall out, keeping the heaters in the ON position.

WVfishguy · 11/16/2018, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMetaxas

I've had a controller fail once. Ive also had the temp probe fall out, keeping the heaters in the ON position.

But, didn't the heater thermostat turn off at a certain temperature? The redundancy failed?

JMetaxas · 11/17/2018, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVfishguy

But, didn't the heater thermostat turn off at a certain temperature? The redundancy failed?

The controller never told the heater to turn on. So, the tank just got cold.

If a controller sticks "ON", the heater goes on, but if the controller fails to tell it to turn "off", at least the heater knows to turn off by itself after hitting a higher temp.

11/16/2018, 08:42 AM	#28
ali1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 997	As mentioned, they all fail at some point. Use two seperate heaters with a controller __________________ Originally Posted by Gogandantess "I'm totally frustrated by this disease. My display has been fallow for 2 months now. If ich happened to mysteriously appear again, I'm giving up and going back to African Cichilds."

11/15/2018, 06:47 PM	#26
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	The Eheim Jager heaters are pretty reliable, just takes some fiddling to get it properly calibrated. As mentioned above, a Reefkeeper or Apex is a MUST with any heater because when they stick it's almost always ON.

11/16/2018, 08:17 AM	#27
JMetaxas Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Old Saybrook, CT Posts: 113	Here is what I think is the best way to protect against disaster: Have two aquarium controllers, each with their own separate heater, like an Eheim sufficient to heat your tank, independently. Set 1 controller at your desired temp, such as 77 degrees. Set the heater associated with it a couple degrees higher, like 80 degrees. Set 2nd controller at a slightly higher temp, like 79 degrees. Set the heater associated with it at 81 degrees. So, if the heater used most sticks "ON" (which they do), the controller will shut it off. If the heater doesn't turn on (I had an Eheim break the other day. The light was ON, but the heater didn't produce heat), then Controller # 2 takes over. Yes, it's quite a lot to manage, but this system works and controllers are not expensive.