Finnex titanium vs eheim glass heater

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 12:42 PM

I was recommended to look into finnex heaters, as I was going to get eheim glass heaters for my new 90 gallon. The price difference is minimal between them so I can get either of them. I just have no experience with finnex heaters. Also, if I were to get a combination of heaters for a 90 with an approximately 20 gallon sump( will be a trigger systems sump, Christmas present, just have to decide which one), should I get a 2 150, 100 and 150? I am planning on keeping the temp around 75.

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 12:49 PM

I use the finnex heating tubes along with a ranco temp controller and am very happy with it, dont have to worry about glass breaking or anything like that (even though it is rare for the glass to break. I use a 300 watt on my 200 gal total vol and it keeps up just fine. I would go with the 150 on yours though

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

I use the finnex heating tubes along with a ranco temp controller and am very happy with it, dont have to worry about glass breaking or anything like that (even though it is rare for the glass to break. I use a 300 watt on my 200 gal total vol and it keeps up just fine. I would go with the 150 on yours though

Can you explain the tube thing? Is it different than the heater itself

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 04:17 PM

The heating tube i use is just a titanium heater with no controller which is why i use the ranco temp controller.

But the tube is the heater.

Here is the one i use.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex...ting-tube.html

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

The heating tube i use is just a titanium heater with no controller which is why i use the ranco temp controller.

But the tube is the heater.

Here is the one i use.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex...ting-tube.html

Ok that's what I thought but I wanted to check. I plan on getting a reef keeper for my birthday in May, and I will use a temp controller with that. So I'm not sure it makes sense to get one now when I will only use it for a few months. So if taking strictly about the heater itself, finnex titanium is better and more reliable than eheim?

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 05:32 PM

Ive only used the eheim heaters twice, and they do work well, i am just a fan for the heating tubes as the one i have is 5 years old and still working great. I do have a backup though just in case this one ever goes out. And my eheims only lasted 2 years. Either way they are both good reliable heaters.

Dkuhlmann · 12/27/2015, 06:44 PM

Shifty, which Ranco model do you use?

davocean · 12/27/2015, 06:55 PM

I would also go the finnex and 2x150, and I like 78 for my tank temp

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

Shifty, which Ranco model do you use?

ETC 211000 its the dual stage so i can run a fan if needed but never did lol. It's 9 years old right now and still running great

Dkuhlmann · 12/27/2015, 07:28 PM

So the single stage one would work then unless I wanted to run two smaller heaters? I've got 3 100 titainum heaters I guess two would be fine in my tank 40b with a 20g sump?

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 07:56 PM

Im not positive if the dual can run 2 hot temps or just 1 hot and 1 cold. But if you wanna run 2 heaters but dont care about diff temps for each than a single will still work, just plug in a dual power adapter.

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 07:57 PM

I'm gonna have it run a little colder because I want to try a blue spotted jawfish, 74 or 75 I think. So 2 150 watt heaters is good for a 90 gallon with approx 20 gallon sump?

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martini5788

I'm gonna have it run a little colder because I want to try a blue spotted jawfish, 74 or 75 I think. So 2 150 watt heaters is good for a 90 gallon with approx 20 gallon sump?

That should work just fine

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 08:28 PM

The smallest watt for the heating tube, not the heater, is 300w. Would that be a problem for a 90 gallon? I mean if the tube messes up, then I'm completely screwed

davocean · 12/27/2015, 08:37 PM

That's where the ranco comes in as a safety if stuck in on position, though does not help if it just stops heating.
I prefer 2 heaters for the obvious reasons, for you another option is the via aqua on marine depot or the fluvals on F&S, both titanium, smaller sizes available, both good options

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 08:46 PM

If I were to do the ranco, I am finding 2 different options for the model number. One is for cold the other is electric. Which one? I have a 50 watt via aqua titanium and it is terrible. Won't even trust it in a 5 gallon bucket, it will nearly boil the water in a 10 gallon tank.

davocean · 12/27/2015, 09:01 PM

All heaters eventually fail pretty much, that is not exclusive to your via aqua, why many use a controller or safety of some kind

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

All heaters eventually fail pretty much, that is not exclusive to your via aqua, why many use a controller or safety of some kind

Yeah the via aqua failed within 2 weeks. Could I use the ranco controller with an eheim heater? It doesn't look like it has a plug on it, but I could be wrojg. The picture on amazon aren't great

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 09:11 PM

I got mine from ectsupply.com cheapest place ive found for them but i cant pull up the site or i would send you the link. Just look for the model number i sent and if your handy you can get it cheaper if you wire it yourself which isnt hard to do.

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 09:12 PM

Yeah you can use any heater with the ranco, it comes with a standard plug

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

I got mine from ectsupply.com cheapest place ive found for them but i cant pull up the site or i would send you the link. Just look for the model number i sent and if your handy you can get it cheaper if you wire it yourself which isnt hard to do.

Is it the electric one or cold?

davocean · 12/27/2015, 09:15 PM

While I love eheim stuff, their heaters from my understanding are what they took over/bought out from jaeger, which at one time at least were pretty good, but like you I had one fail very fast, same as a won.
For all the gear improvements I've seen over the years, heaters still basically suck!

shifty51008 · 12/27/2015, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martini5788

Is it the electric one or cold?

Im not sure what you mean by that. Ive never seen them described like that before

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

Im not sure what you mean by that. Ive never seen them described like that before

Martini5788 · 12/27/2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

While I love eheim stuff, their heaters from my understanding are what they took over/bought out from jaeger, which at one time at least were pretty good, but like you I had one fail very fast, same as a won.
For all the gear improvements I've seen over the years, heaters still basically suck!

I know, we should complain to the manufacturers. I propose a riot! Haha

12/27/2015, 12:42 PM	#1
Martini5788 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 2,303	Finnex titanium vs eheim glass heater I was recommended to look into finnex heaters, as I was going to get eheim glass heaters for my new 90 gallon. The price difference is minimal between them so I can get either of them. I just have no experience with finnex heaters. Also, if I were to get a combination of heaters for a 90 with an approximately 20 gallon sump( will be a trigger systems sump, Christmas present, just have to decide which one), should I get a 2 150, 100 and 150? I am planning on keeping the temp around 75.

12/27/2015, 12:49 PM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I use the finnex heating tubes along with a ranco temp controller and am very happy with it, dont have to worry about glass breaking or anything like that (even though it is rare for the glass to break. I use a 300 watt on my 200 gal total vol and it keeps up just fine. I would go with the 150 on yours though __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 04:17 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	The heating tube i use is just a titanium heater with no controller which is why i use the ranco temp controller. But the tube is the heater. Here is the one i use. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex...ting-tube.html __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 05:32 PM	#6
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Ive only used the eheim heaters twice, and they do work well, i am just a fan for the heating tubes as the one i have is 5 years old and still working great. I do have a backup though just in case this one ever goes out. And my eheims only lasted 2 years. Either way they are both good reliable heaters. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 06:44 PM	#7
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Shifty, which Ranco model do you use? __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

12/27/2015, 06:55 PM	#8
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I would also go the finnex and 2x150, and I like 78 for my tank temp __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/27/2015, 07:28 PM	#10
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	So the single stage one would work then unless I wanted to run two smaller heaters? I've got 3 100 titainum heaters I guess two would be fine in my tank 40b with a 20g sump? __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

12/27/2015, 07:56 PM	#11
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Im not positive if the dual can run 2 hot temps or just 1 hot and 1 cold. But if you wanna run 2 heaters but dont care about diff temps for each than a single will still work, just plug in a dual power adapter. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 07:57 PM	#12
Martini5788 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 2,303	I'm gonna have it run a little colder because I want to try a blue spotted jawfish, 74 or 75 I think. So 2 150 watt heaters is good for a 90 gallon with approx 20 gallon sump?

12/27/2015, 08:28 PM	#14
Martini5788 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 2,303	The smallest watt for the heating tube, not the heater, is 300w. Would that be a problem for a 90 gallon? I mean if the tube messes up, then I'm completely screwed

12/27/2015, 08:37 PM	#15
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	That's where the ranco comes in as a safety if stuck in on position, though does not help if it just stops heating. I prefer 2 heaters for the obvious reasons, for you another option is the via aqua on marine depot or the fluvals on F&S, both titanium, smaller sizes available, both good options __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/27/2015, 08:46 PM	#16
Martini5788 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 2,303	If I were to do the ranco, I am finding 2 different options for the model number. One is for cold the other is electric. Which one? I have a 50 watt via aqua titanium and it is terrible. Won't even trust it in a 5 gallon bucket, it will nearly boil the water in a 10 gallon tank.

12/27/2015, 09:01 PM	#17
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	All heaters eventually fail pretty much, that is not exclusive to your via aqua, why many use a controller or safety of some kind __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/27/2015, 09:11 PM	#19
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I got mine from ectsupply.com cheapest place ive found for them but i cant pull up the site or i would send you the link. Just look for the model number i sent and if your handy you can get it cheaper if you wire it yourself which isnt hard to do. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 09:12 PM	#20
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Yeah you can use any heater with the ranco, it comes with a standard plug __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/27/2015, 09:15 PM	#22
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	While I love eheim stuff, their heaters from my understanding are what they took over/bought out from jaeger, which at one time at least were pretty good, but like you I had one fail very fast, same as a won. For all the gear improvements I've seen over the years, heaters still basically suck! __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD