Innovative marine
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jDoSe
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Unsure but i’m incredibly picky on equipment and this heater is by far the best ive ever had. Nothing even comes close. I’d buy it again if they doubled the price instead of halved.
It can tell when the flow stops. Difference between external temp probe and heater element. Audible alarms. Shutdown. PTC tech. Ports for two elements. 5 year warranty from a company that honors their warranties.
I have a calibrated hanna checktemp. When i compared the readings, they were exactly the same. Not 0.1 degrees F different, exactly the same.
With my old heater and apex, i always got a zigzag line +/- 0.5 F. With this heater, it’s a solid horizontal line.
I was always shocked how these weren’t discussed everywhere. I assumed maybe people cheaped out on heaters, which I would never do. This thing is like apex, inkbird, and heater all in one. And inkbird is complete unreliable trash.
It can tell when the flow stops. Difference between external temp probe and heater element. Audible alarms. Shutdown. PTC tech. Ports for two elements. 5 year warranty from a company that honors their warranties.
I have a calibrated hanna checktemp. When i compared the readings, they were exactly the same. Not 0.1 degrees F different, exactly the same.
With my old heater and apex, i always got a zigzag line +/- 0.5 F. With this heater, it’s a solid horizontal line.
I was always shocked how these weren’t discussed everywhere. I assumed maybe people cheaped out on heaters, which I would never do. This thing is like apex, inkbird, and heater all in one. And inkbird is complete unreliable trash.
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Malcontent
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Heh...I bought the 2 x 500W version for $467 nearly a year ago.
Mine was plagued by low flow errors and then it decided the probe was out of the water and stopped heating. That dropped my tank to 66.5 F.
I haven't gotten around to seeking a replacement yet as my faith in this heater has been shaken. I switched back to the Fluval E which has served me well for years. I have ~15 of them. They have two electronic thermostats and hold a very steady temperature as well.
Malcontent
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It was in the heater chamber of my sump so it should have had enough flow.
I moved it to another tank where it was in the tank itself and it happened a 2nd time.
jDoSe
Active Member
Well, not sure exactly how it senses flow, but mine notices as soon as I turn off the return. My guess is that it realizes that the water directly around the heater is warming too quickly (or is too hot) and there isn’t water pushing the hot water away.
If there was a problem i’m sure they’d replace it. 5 year warranty and all.
Tuan’s Reef
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So no need for a grounding probe? I have the Helio PTC version with dual elements. I have an independant grounding probe i could take off if i'm covered by the Helio.
jDoSe
Active Member
Well, I don’t know for sure but I subscribe to the theory that if it’s a titanium heater with the 3rd prong, it will function like a grounding probe. Some titanium heaters have the third prong some dont. This one adds an extra factor in that it has a controller as well, so may need to ask IM.
But even that is up for debate (if they even function as grounding probes). Also up for debate is the necessity for grounding probes in general.
Malcontent
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I'm pretty sure it's just a firmware issue. Interestingly, the Fluval E also has a low flow error but it went away after I removed the plastic guards.
It should be simple enough to test continuity between the body of the heating element and the ground plug.
jDoSe
Active Member
It may have went away after you removed the plastic guards because water was able to move the heated water away from the element better. The plastic guards would definitely reduce some flow and help retain some heated water.
jDoSe
Active Member
Well, i tested continuity on both the heating element and temp probe. Failed both. I also emailed IM and they said it does not function as a grounding probe.
Unfortunate…it now gets a 9/10.
My guess is because it would be dangerous if they were all grounded and the customer didn’t use a gfci. There’s no way for IM to ensure it’s plugged into gfci.
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Malcontent
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It's probably for the best as it doesn't remove the customer's choice of whether or not to install a grounding probe in their tank.
