*$%# Heaters!!!

goldscarf · 06/05/2006, 08:14 AM

This morning I got to my office where I keep my 90 gallon reef tank and found that my 2 Pro-Heat Titanium IC Heaters that I keep in my sump decided to go into overdrive and my tank water was damn near 90! I have lost my Scott's Fairy and Redmargin Fairy Wrasses, my Mandrine, and most irritating my golden moray that I just spent $300 for!!! Not to mention most of my SPS are now bleached or in the process of bleaching!!!

I am now in the process of trying to cool down my tank slowly to not to cause too much more stress. That said I now have a heater problem.

Any suggestions for a quality heater that I can submerge in a sump?

techreef · 06/05/2006, 10:00 AM

I would LOVE to get a solid recomendation re: heaters too. I was reading good review of Won Bros. heaters, but then on a thread last week several RC members related tales of broken Won heaters. Finnex seems to be at the top of the heap so far, but man, sounds like heaters are just about all pieces of junk. Why is making a reliable heater so difficult?

kappaknight · 06/05/2006, 01:24 PM

I'm starting to wonder if I even need a heater...

unmc2001 · 06/05/2006, 01:33 PM

I have gone heaterless for the last 6 months with no problems. I just don't trust the heaters. I had one bake my tank. If I ever use a heater again I will undersize it so it takes longer to overheat tank. But like I said I haven't used one on either of my tanks for 6 months or so.

retin78 · 06/05/2006, 01:41 PM

sorry to hear that man. Damn those titanium heater.

goldscarf · 06/05/2006, 03:01 PM

Amen brother!

Cove Beach · 06/05/2006, 03:34 PM

I've found the only way to eliminate the boiled tank situation is to plug your heater into a controller like a ReefKeeper. That way you aren't relying on mechanical points that can stick closed and run up the temp. The controllers aren't real cheap but start adding up the cost of your livestock and the price starts to look like a bargain!!

s3aL · 06/05/2006, 03:46 PM

Just purchase a Ranco controller to hook up to your heater, there 70-80 bucks.

enutees · 06/05/2006, 04:07 PM

I had the same problem years ago. I have mine run on an aquacontroller jr. (the price of your eel) and now it controls the heater. If it fails the heater is still only set a few degrees above the controller. That way in the event of a failure on the controller I still have some safe guard.
I wouldn't trust any heater on its own any more.

Paulairduck · 06/05/2006, 04:36 PM

I run finnex heaters and used them without a problem. But I still run it through my reefkeeper to make sure that the thermostat will not have the heater stay on.

I have heard nothing but bad bad things about the pro heat heaters, stay away from them. I have heard after they boil your tank and you call there customer service, there reply is oh well. I feel bad for anyone that has to go out that way.

NOT COOL!!!!!!!

sorry for the joke

06/05/2006, 08:14 AM	#1
goldscarf Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 272	*$%# Heaters!!! This morning I got to my office where I keep my 90 gallon reef tank and found that my 2 Pro-Heat Titanium IC Heaters that I keep in my sump decided to go into overdrive and my tank water was damn near 90! I have lost my Scott's Fairy and Redmargin Fairy Wrasses, my Mandrine, and most irritating my golden moray that I just spent $300 for!!! Not to mention most of my SPS are now bleached or in the process of bleaching!!! I am now in the process of trying to cool down my tank slowly to not to cause too much more stress. That said I now have a heater problem. Any suggestions for a quality heater that I can submerge in a sump?

06/05/2006, 01:24 PM	#3
kappaknight Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 319	I'm starting to wonder if I even need a heater... __________________ Creator of RareZoanthids.com \| @zoanthids on Twitter

06/05/2006, 03:34 PM	#7
Cove Beach Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sheffield Lake Posts: 1,341	Heater issues I've found the only way to eliminate the boiled tank situation is to plug your heater into a controller like a ReefKeeper. That way you aren't relying on mechanical points that can stick closed and run up the temp. The controllers aren't real cheap but start adding up the cost of your livestock and the price starts to look like a bargain!!

06/05/2006, 03:46 PM	#8
s3aL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fairfield, California Posts: 847	Just purchase a Ranco controller to hook up to your heater, there 70-80 bucks. __________________ 58g oceanic (36x18x21) 36" Aquatinics 2x175w MH 2x39w T5 Deltec MCE600 3x Koralia 3's Litermeter3 Dual stage Ranco controller Matt

06/05/2006, 04:36 PM	#10
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	deffinitely double up I run finnex heaters and used them without a problem. But I still run it through my reefkeeper to make sure that the thermostat will not have the heater stay on. I have heard nothing but bad bad things about the pro heat heaters, stay away from them. I have heard after they boil your tank and you call there customer service, there reply is oh well. I feel bad for anyone that has to go out that way. NOT COOL!!!!!!! sorry for the joke

06/05/2006, 10:00 AM	#2
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	I would LOVE to get a solid recomendation re: heaters too. I was reading good review of Won Bros. heaters, but then on a thread last week several RC members related tales of broken Won heaters. Finnex seems to be at the top of the heap so far, but man, sounds like heaters are just about all pieces of junk. Why is making a reliable heater so difficult?

06/05/2006, 01:33 PM	#4
unmc2001 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 301	I have gone heaterless for the last 6 months with no problems. I just don't trust the heaters. I had one bake my tank. If I ever use a heater again I will undersize it so it takes longer to overheat tank. But like I said I haven't used one on either of my tanks for 6 months or so.

06/05/2006, 01:41 PM	#5
retin78 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Posts: 302	sorry to hear that man. Damn those titanium heater.

06/05/2006, 03:01 PM	#6
goldscarf Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 272	Amen brother!

06/05/2006, 04:07 PM	#9
enutees Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 220	I had the same problem years ago. I have mine run on an aquacontroller jr. (the price of your eel) and now it controls the heater. If it fails the heater is still only set a few degrees above the controller. That way in the event of a failure on the controller I still have some safe guard. I wouldn't trust any heater on its own any more.