Heater recommendations

Ecotech Marine
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www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
I’ve been using finnex for a couple years now. So far very reliable and zero issues. I have the 150w one with the digital controller (which you probably won’t need with your apex) and I have switched it to two other tanks since buying it without cleaning it.. still running strong.
 
Heavymman said:
I have a 70 gallon system with an apex unit. I can’t seem to find a heater with decent reviews, any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Don't just rely on the Apex's probe. Put in another digital for a cross check.

It's been years, but I'm on my third Apex temp probe. They do bite the dust over time... ;Dead
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Great topic with great advice.

IMO and IME, some of the most expensive ones are not always better. I paid a small fortune for a state of the art unit and it would never shut off. I ended up using it to heat 300g in a mixing vat and still had to pull it out as it would go nuts.

I like running 2 for the sake of redundancy.
 
Apex can be off so calibrate like was suggested,

As for a heater get one with out a builtin thermostat and controller since you have a Apex. Get one with just the element
like the finnex : https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex-th-deluxe-titanium-heating-element-with-plastic-guard.html
or JBJ: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/t...-260-gallon-titanium-heater-element-only-jbj/

Do not use that jbj garbage thermometer above those are so far off. They are sold by several manufacturers and some people have found them to be off by as much as 5 degrees,
Use this because they are calibrated:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/traceable-long-stem-calibration-thermometer.html
 
shred5 said:
Apex can be off so calibrate like was suggested,
Click to expand...
FWIW:
You can re-calibrate, but if the readings keep drifting, then most likely the Apex temp probe is going bad.

That long stem...:rolleyes: would be very nice.
 
Deltec
shred5 said:
Apex can be off so calibrate like was suggested,

As for a heater get one with out a builtin thermostat and controller since you have a Apex. Get one with just the element
like the finnex : https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex-th-deluxe-titanium-heating-element-with-plastic-guard.html
or JBJ: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/t...-260-gallon-titanium-heater-element-only-jbj/

Do not use that jbj garbage thermometer above those are so far off. They are sold by several manufacturers and some people have found them to be off by as much as 5 degrees,
Use this because they are calibrated:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/traceable-long-stem-calibration-thermometer.html
Click to expand...
Can I ask a silly question, the thermometer I have on my smoker I calibrate by boiling water and dipping it in, I then make sure it’s reading 212 f. I know it doesn’t need to be as accurate as a reef thermometer but I wonder if you can recalibrate the long stem to just be sure.... ughh I hate this topic lol
 
shred5 said:
What? I said calibrate the Apex..
That was my point.
Click to expand...
You respond to me or @GoVols ?... if you can’t trust an apex thermometer or others my point was how can you trust the long stem thermometer. Just because it comes with a “certification document” doesn’t mean anything unless it can be recalibrated. I don’t know if I’m going too crazy here
 
Deltec
Heavymman said:
You respond to me or @GoVols ?... if you can’t trust an apex thermometer or others my point was how can you trust the long stem thermometer. Just because it comes with a “certification document” doesn’t mean anything unless it can be recalibrated. I don’t know if I’m going too crazy here
Click to expand...

Its not that the apex isn't relaible it just needs to be calibrated. It is not necessarily right when you get it.

The long stem is very reliable compared to most out there. BRS has talked about it in allot of tier videos.
I have no idea if it can be calibrated and if it was what would you calibrate it too..
 
shred5 said:
Its not that the apex isn't relaible it just needs to be calibrated. It is not necessarily right when you get it.

The long stem is very reliable compared to most out there. BRS has talked about it in allot of tier videos.
I have no idea if it can be calibrated and if it was what would you calibrate it too..
Click to expand...
Look at my last post, there is only two constant temps that can be used as reference 212 or 32 for obvious reasons. My point again is you should be able to calibrate your reference tool
 
And you find it very accurate based off of what reference? If the reef is alive and you use it to calibrate your probes I guess that is a good gauge but what is the bulletproof method to determine this
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Last edited:
shred5 said:
Its not that the apex isn't relaible it just needs to be calibrated. It is not necessarily right when you get it.

The long stem is very reliable compared to most out there. BRS has talked about it in allot of tier videos.
I have no idea if it can be calibrated and if it was what would you calibrate it too..
Click to expand...
(lol)
Agree to all the above.

My point was that the Apex temp probes do go bad. You can re-calibrated the Apex for them, but if the temp still drifts after re-calibrating to your long temp probe, then it's time to buy new Apex temp probe.

Just giving @Heavymman an head's up on the Apex temp probes going bad, over the long haul.

Heck,
I'd like to own long temp probe too... :)
 
GoVols said:
(lol)
Agree to all the above.

My point was that the Apex temp probes do go bad. You can re-calibrated the Apex for them, but if the temp still drifts after re-calibrating to your long temp probe, then it's time to buy new Apex temp probe.

Just giving @Heavymman an head's up on the Apex temp probes going bad.

Heck,
I'd like to own long temp probe too... :)
Click to expand...
Heads up is appreciated ! Thanks all for the help
 
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