digital heaters

chiefrokka · 02/23/2006, 12:52 PM

can someone refer me to a good digital heater that is pretty cheap but very effective?

I have a 75g and my heater I got from someone can't keep a very stable temperature.. it fluctuates between 2-3 degrees and isn't digital. I think it only has like a turn knob setting and it skips like 80 degrees... meaning i have an option to go 78 or 82... and if i want 80 then i have to try setting it in the middle.

i'm looking for a digital one... probably get (2) 200W heaters for my 75g??

Entropy · 02/24/2006, 12:42 PM

The Won ProHeat II is actually pretty reliable and accurate. I ran one on my tank for a long time and it was good to +/- .2 degrees for the most part. They are a bit pricey, but they come with a digital temp readout.

szwab · 02/24/2006, 09:16 PM

my won flaked on me the safest way is to use a heater in conjunction with a controller. you will also want to use 2 undersized heaters rather than 1 big one. that way in case of a malfunction either stuck on or off the damage will be slower and not as severe before you catch it.

cmhollis · 02/25/2006, 07:32 AM

I agree with szwab, use two smaller heaters. Also, I have two of the WON Brothers digital heaters. You need to make very sure that your temperature probes do not fall out of the tank. One of mine did (on my 55g before I got the 120g setup). We keep the house at 60 degrees at night, and the sensor was reading room temperature. Woke up in the morning to a cloudy tank at 95 degrees. Lost about $750 worth of livestock due to an oversight on my part. Something to watch out for.

I am also using an ACIII to control the heaters, and the heater is set a few degrees above in case the ACIII fails.

chiefrokka · 02/25/2006, 08:41 AM

wow, what an awful story that is. $750 down the tubes. damn.
they can just lay in the sump correct?

GLD · 02/26/2006, 06:46 PM

My experience with a WON heater matches the experience that many have had: the external thermostat flaked out in approximatley 6 months. This thread is unusual in that people here actually seem to have had good luch with the WON. I am glad that their WON's have hung in there but before you purchase a WON, I would encourage you to do a search to see how many WON owners would never buy another one.

I certaily won't.

edwadd · 02/26/2006, 07:41 PM

My won brother died and shocked the crap out of me at 3 months. Never again.

BeanAnimal · 02/26/2006, 07:49 PM

All heaters are junk. Most of the "titanium" heaters are made overseas by the same company. The WON stuff is real garbage, but you will soon find out that there is no such thing as a reliable aquarium heater.

You NEED to invest in a temperature controller. RANCO is a commerial/industrial controller manufacturer. You can't go wrong with one of their units. $85 or so shipped from most vendors. Spend the money and save yourself the grief of a crash. It is the least thought about, yet most important piece of equipment on your system. You can live with a failed pump or lights for a long time. A failed heater is very quick death to your critters.

szwab · 02/26/2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GLD
My experience with a WON heater matches the experience that many have had: the external thermostat flaked out in approximatley 6 months. This thread is unusual in that people here actually seem to have had good luch with the WON. I am glad that their WON's have hung in there but before you purchase a WON, I would encourage you to do a search to see how many WON owners would never buy another one.

I certaily won't.

only see one success story. not very good odds. but Not many brands get the honor of bragging for the most opart Aquarium heaters are unreliable. so be prepared.

02/23/2006, 12:52 PM	#1
chiefrokka Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NH Posts: 107	digital heaters can someone refer me to a good digital heater that is pretty cheap but very effective? I have a 75g and my heater I got from someone can't keep a very stable temperature.. it fluctuates between 2-3 degrees and isn't digital. I think it only has like a turn knob setting and it skips like 80 degrees... meaning i have an option to go 78 or 82... and if i want 80 then i have to try setting it in the middle. i'm looking for a digital one... probably get (2) 200W heaters for my 75g??

02/24/2006, 12:42 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	The Won ProHeat II is actually pretty reliable and accurate. I ran one on my tank for a long time and it was good to +/- .2 degrees for the most part. They are a bit pricey, but they come with a digital temp readout. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

02/24/2006, 09:16 PM	#3
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	my won flaked on me the safest way is to use a heater in conjunction with a controller. you will also want to use 2 undersized heaters rather than 1 big one. that way in case of a malfunction either stuck on or off the damage will be slower and not as severe before you catch it. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/25/2006, 07:32 AM	#4
cmhollis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ledyard, CT Posts: 1,226	I agree with szwab, use two smaller heaters. Also, I have two of the WON Brothers digital heaters. You need to make very sure that your temperature probes do not fall out of the tank. One of mine did (on my 55g before I got the 120g setup). We keep the house at 60 degrees at night, and the sensor was reading room temperature. Woke up in the morning to a cloudy tank at 95 degrees. Lost about $750 worth of livestock due to an oversight on my part. Something to watch out for. I am also using an ACIII to control the heaters, and the heater is set a few degrees above in case the ACIII fails. __________________ "These mist covered mountains, are a home now for me, but my home is the lowlands, and always will be." - Dire Straits Yes Amy, I am on the national marrow registry. Current Tank Info: 120g In-wall, MR3 skimmer w/ Blueline HD70, ACIII controller, CR3 calcium reactor, Sequence 5800 CLS via OM 4-way, Sequence 3200 return, 2 - 250W 10K MH, 1 - 150W 20K MH, 4 - 110W VHO Actinics

02/25/2006, 08:41 AM	#5
chiefrokka Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NH Posts: 107	wow, what an awful story that is. $750 down the tubes. damn. they can just lay in the sump correct?

02/26/2006, 06:46 PM	#6
GLD Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 459	My experience with a WON heater matches the experience that many have had: the external thermostat flaked out in approximatley 6 months. This thread is unusual in that people here actually seem to have had good luch with the WON. I am glad that their WON's have hung in there but before you purchase a WON, I would encourage you to do a search to see how many WON owners would never buy another one. I certaily won't.

02/26/2006, 07:41 PM	#7
edwadd Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Long Island Posts: 357	My won brother died and shocked the crap out of me at 3 months. Never again.

02/26/2006, 07:49 PM	#8
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	All heaters are junk. Most of the "titanium" heaters are made overseas by the same company. The WON stuff is real garbage, but you will soon find out that there is no such thing as a reliable aquarium heater. You NEED to invest in a temperature controller. RANCO is a commerial/industrial controller manufacturer. You can't go wrong with one of their units. $85 or so shipped from most vendors. Spend the money and save yourself the grief of a crash. It is the least thought about, yet most important piece of equipment on your system. You can live with a failed pump or lights for a long time. A failed heater is very quick death to your critters.