Won ProHeat heater just died! Which heater have you found to be reliable?

OceanLyons · 04/19/2007, 06:43 PM

My temp. is at 76 degrees. It's usually 78. I don't think I'm in any major trouble, but it is still concerning.

I've had this ProHeat 250W for about 8 months. Now, it won't turn on even if I adjust the temp. guage all the way up.

I need a reliable heater! I've searched through a lot of threads, but I wanted to get a local opinion.

What should I buy?

sjm1978 · 04/19/2007, 07:02 PM

i like visi-therm stealth heaters i think i have a extra 250w one ill have to check. if i do you can have it since i dont have my 125g tank anymore.

palawan · 04/19/2007, 07:08 PM

Ebo Jager on a Ranco industrial temp controller.

soni · 04/19/2007, 07:13 PM

my metal halides make great heaters

Pyrrhus · 04/19/2007, 07:17 PM

Ebo-Jager is the only heater that I would trust without a secondary temperature controller.

OceanLyons · 04/19/2007, 07:19 PM

Steven, maybe we could trade. I'll have to see what I can frag.

Right now, I'm running VHO only. Adding an additional two T-5s this weekend. If I turn my fan off, I know my temp. will rise to around 80.

Maybe, I'll get a Ranco. Too many projects.

Have to get the new lights mounted first.

EvilE · 04/19/2007, 07:20 PM

My Jager is great

OceanLyons · 04/19/2007, 07:22 PM

Just read your post, Skip. Scary, scary. Definitely have to get a temp. controller. Don't want to fry the tank.

Pyrrhus · 04/19/2007, 07:48 PM

The first time you need it, it will pay for itself many times over.

random_ryan · 04/19/2007, 07:51 PM

I run a won pro heat 2 with no problems. mines titanium. 350watts. I swear by them. digital read out. althou my rancho controller is off. I trust my won 100%. I know this don't help . but my experance has been positive.

mickeylu · 04/19/2007, 09:02 PM

I'm with sjm1978 on this one. I've owned 2 Visi-therm Stealths and I've never had a problem.

sjm1978 · 04/19/2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mickeylu
I'm with sjm1978 on this one. I've owned 2 Visi-therm Stealths and I've never had a problem.

i had 2 250w ones on my 125g a 250w on my old 60g i use a 200w for my water change water to get the water to temp and i have a 50w in my 24gAP and a 50w in my 5.5g never had a problem with these heaters and i like that there plastic and not glass.

OceanLyons i do have it LMK

sjm1978 · 04/19/2007, 10:40 PM

OceanLyons YGPM

Clark Griswold · 04/19/2007, 11:22 PM

i had 2x won pro 350watt heaters go out within 1 year...don't trust them anymore.

Philwd · 04/20/2007, 12:09 AM

I don't trust any heater. Single point of failure that has led to countless tank crashes. I always hook them up through a controller. I use Ebo and had 1 stick on. It was in my mixup container at the time but if it had been in a tank without a controller....

I'll say it one more time. DO NOT TRUST ANY HEATER.

aztbs · 04/20/2007, 07:54 AM

I totally agree with Phil. For any heater that someone says is working great, I can find a thread where one has failed. Always have a controller, use several smaller heaters that individually can't fry a tank. Keep the heater clean and check the wire regularly.

sidewinder770 · 04/20/2007, 08:42 AM

I agree- don't trust any heater- they have all had failures and no brand is that much better than another. I use Won titanium heaters mainly because I don't like the idea of glass as I think these are more of a problem waiting to happen- not only can they fail- they can break. One thing I did (besides using the temp setting on the heater and a controller) is to get multiple heaters of smaller size. I have 4 heaters total I think they are 250w and maybe a 300w. May seem like a lot but I have 550g of water to heat. the point is- if one fails- it wouldn't be the end of the world since one heater can't cause much damage on 550g of water. If you need 300w of heat- get 3 100w heaters etc. I also have mine come on at seperate temps- #1 on @ 78.3, #2 on a@ 78.2, #3 on @ 78.1, # 4 on @ 78.0 Of course this weekend all but 1 heater is coming out since they haven't turned on for a while now.

random_ryan · 04/20/2007, 10:31 AM

and where would we get these temp controllers?

Philwd · 04/20/2007, 10:37 AM

I used Ranco for 2 years. I eventually upgraded to a Neptune AC jr for more functionality. But for temp control only a Ranco will do the job. Just make sure you get a SW safe temp probe. DIY used to have them. That's where I got mine. Harbor Feight I think carries them but I don't know about the probe.

One thing I forgot to mention is in hobbiest grade heaters the temp is sensed by a thyristor. These tend to drift so after a couple years the temp set point will drift with it.

sidewinder770 · 04/20/2007, 10:41 AM

Ranco, Aquacontroller, Reefkeeper, etc- they will all do temp control- some do more than just temp.

reefdna · 04/20/2007, 12:06 PM

I have always done what aztbs suggested and that was buy 3 smaller heaters that run together and incase of a failure in one it can only make a small difference. I have 3 150W on my 250 and have replaced one lately. However I am setting up my RK2 as we speak.....

To edify what Soni said ,My MH's seem to heat the water more than my heaters!

Ed C

EvilE · 04/21/2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pyrrhus
Ebo-Jager is the only heater that I would trust without a secondary temperature controller.

I have the newer Eheim Jager heaters--are they not as good as the old Ebo ones, or are they the same?

04/19/2007, 07:13 PM	#4
soni Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 1,385	my metal halides make great heaters __________________ Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what's right. -Isaac Asimov "Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order." --Ed Howdershelt

04/19/2007, 07:17 PM	#5
Pyrrhus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,713	Ebo-Jager is the only heater that I would trust without a secondary temperature controller. __________________ Severe Knowledge In Plumbing

04/19/2007, 07:19 PM	#6
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	Steven, maybe we could trade. I'll have to see what I can frag. Right now, I'm running VHO only. Adding an additional two T-5s this weekend. If I turn my fan off, I know my temp. will rise to around 80. Maybe, I'll get a Ranco. Too many projects. Have to get the new lights mounted first. __________________ --- Darlene

04/19/2007, 07:20 PM	#7
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	My Jager is great __________________ Targzissians Are Obviously Reptilian Current Tank Info: 55 gallon african cichlid FW, 55 Gallon mixed reef SW

04/19/2007, 07:48 PM	#9
Pyrrhus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,713	The first time you need it, it will pay for itself many times over. __________________ Severe Knowledge In Plumbing

04/19/2007, 06:43 PM	#1
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	Won ProHeat heater just died! Which heater have you found to be reliable? My temp. is at 76 degrees. It's usually 78. I don't think I'm in any major trouble, but it is still concerning. I've had this ProHeat 250W for about 8 months. Now, it won't turn on even if I adjust the temp. guage all the way up. I need a reliable heater! I've searched through a lot of threads, but I wanted to get a local opinion. What should I buy?

04/19/2007, 07:02 PM	#2
sjm1978 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 1,184	i like visi-therm stealth heaters i think i have a extra 250w one ill have to check. if i do you can have it since i dont have my 125g tank anymore. __________________ Obsession Florida Ricordea's New Obsession SPS ------------------------------------------------------ Steven Current Tank Info: in the process of looking for a new tank

04/19/2007, 07:08 PM	#3
palawan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fremont,CA Posts: 960	Ebo Jager on a Ranco industrial temp controller.

04/19/2007, 07:22 PM	#8
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	Just read your post, Skip. Scary, scary. Definitely have to get a temp. controller. Don't want to fry the tank.

04/19/2007, 07:51 PM	#10
random_ryan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Mesa "still a west sider" Posts: 4,427	I run a won pro heat 2 with no problems. mines titanium. 350watts. I swear by them. digital read out. althou my rancho controller is off. I trust my won 100%. I know this don't help . but my experance has been positive. __________________ Has no one to play with, all of my imaginary friends are in timeout or grounded! Current Tank Info: NO TANKS. :o( .... Taking A Break.

04/19/2007, 09:02 PM	#11
mickeylu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 130	I'm with sjm1978 on this one. I've owned 2 Visi-therm Stealths and I've never had a problem.

04/19/2007, 10:40 PM	#13
sjm1978 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 1,184	OceanLyons YGPM __________________ Obsession Florida Ricordea's New Obsession SPS ------------------------------------------------------ Steven Current Tank Info: in the process of looking for a new tank

04/19/2007, 11:22 PM	#14
Clark Griswold Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Avondale, AZ Posts: 249	i had 2x won pro 350watt heaters go out within 1 year...don't trust them anymore.

04/20/2007, 12:09 AM	#15
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,057	I don't trust any heater. Single point of failure that has led to countless tank crashes. I always hook them up through a controller. I use Ebo and had 1 stick on. It was in my mixup container at the time but if it had been in a tank without a controller.... I'll say it one more time. DO NOT TRUST ANY HEATER.

04/20/2007, 07:54 AM	#16
aztbs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 4,492	I totally agree with Phil. For any heater that someone says is working great, I can find a thread where one has failed. Always have a controller, use several smaller heaters that individually can't fry a tank. Keep the heater clean and check the wire regularly.

04/20/2007, 08:42 AM	#17
sidewinder770 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: BFE Michigan and lovin it! Posts: 1,287	I agree- don't trust any heater- they have all had failures and no brand is that much better than another. I use Won titanium heaters mainly because I don't like the idea of glass as I think these are more of a problem waiting to happen- not only can they fail- they can break. One thing I did (besides using the temp setting on the heater and a controller) is to get multiple heaters of smaller size. I have 4 heaters total I think they are 250w and maybe a 300w. May seem like a lot but I have 550g of water to heat. the point is- if one fails- it wouldn't be the end of the world since one heater can't cause much damage on 550g of water. If you need 300w of heat- get 3 100w heaters etc. I also have mine come on at seperate temps- #1 on @ 78.3, #2 on a@ 78.2, #3 on @ 78.1, # 4 on @ 78.0 Of course this weekend all but 1 heater is coming out since they haven't turned on for a while now. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Currently between tanks- previous tank was the June 2007 Tank of the month.

04/20/2007, 10:31 AM	#18
random_ryan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Mesa "still a west sider" Posts: 4,427	and where would we get these temp controllers? __________________ Has no one to play with, all of my imaginary friends are in timeout or grounded! Current Tank Info: NO TANKS. :o( .... Taking A Break.

04/20/2007, 10:37 AM	#19
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,057	I used Ranco for 2 years. I eventually upgraded to a Neptune AC jr for more functionality. But for temp control only a Ranco will do the job. Just make sure you get a SW safe temp probe. DIY used to have them. That's where I got mine. Harbor Feight I think carries them but I don't know about the probe. One thing I forgot to mention is in hobbiest grade heaters the temp is sensed by a thyristor. These tend to drift so after a couple years the temp set point will drift with it.

04/20/2007, 10:41 AM	#20
sidewinder770 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: BFE Michigan and lovin it! Posts: 1,287	Ranco, Aquacontroller, Reefkeeper, etc- they will all do temp control- some do more than just temp. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Currently between tanks- previous tank was the June 2007 Tank of the month.

04/20/2007, 12:06 PM	#21
reefdna Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 1,156	I have always done what aztbs suggested and that was buy 3 smaller heaters that run together and incase of a failure in one it can only make a small difference. I have 3 150W on my 250 and have replaced one lately. However I am setting up my RK2 as we speak..... To edify what Soni said ,My MH's seem to heat the water more than my heaters! Ed C __________________ The true measure of strength is not how many trials you have faced..... but rather how you face each trial. Current Tank Info: 250 Acrylic mixed reef w/3 400W MH in mini Lumenarc's, 1/3 HP chiller 80 gal sump