Lets talk heaters!!

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

Hello I'm looking to set up my first reef tank I'm getting a parts list together and keep getting stuck on heater selection I would like to use the ink bird controller with two titanium heater but cant seem to find one with good reviews.... I was looking at the BRS ones but those have no so good reviews lasting barely 6 months.... I would like to hear your personal experience with different types of heaters! Also when sizing a heater it should be total water volume correct? including sump? thank you

blaxsun · Feb 26, 2022

BRS titanium heaters with the Inkbird combo. These are white-boxed high quality German made Schego heaters. I can't speak for others, but mine have operated for 8+ months without issue. If there's going to be any point of failure it will probably be with the Inkbird long before the inanimate titanium rods.

ZoWhat · Feb 26, 2022

I've got 5yrs and counting on Eheim Jager

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

zoa what said:
I've got 5yrs and counting on Eheim Jager

I’ve been seeing a lot of good reviews on those can I hook that to a WiFi controller so I can monitor it or will it affect the controls on the heater?

Gtinnel · Feb 26, 2022

I use a inkbird controller with 2 inkbird titanium heaters. IME all heaters are garbage, so I just replace them every 12-18 months.

Yes it would be based upon total volume of the system. A big difference in how many watts of heater you need is the temp difference between your tank and your home.

Pistondog · Feb 26, 2022

Use the inkbird with eheim heater for redundancy. Set the eheims 2 degrees above the inkbird. When the inkbird fails on, the eheims will shut off before soup.

KStatefan · Feb 26, 2022

I use two Ranco controllers on separate electrical circuits. The each system has an Ehiem and BRS titanium heater on it. One of the BRS heaters failed at about 6 months. BRS sent a replacement immediately.

Snoopy 67 · Feb 26, 2022

Ranco controllers for heaters are a commercial brand with a great track record.
I'm in the titanium camp.

Lbrdsoxfan · Feb 26, 2022

Gtinnel said:
...IME all heaters are garbage, so I just replace them every 12-18 months.

...

This. I'd worry about a decent heater controller versus the quality or cost of the heater itself. As said above most heaters are garbage anyway. I also wouldn't trust those BRS branded titanium heaters 100%, seen a lot of post on this forum about early failures. They have good customer service, but that don't serve ya when your fish are freezing.

I'd go with a good controller, and some cheap glass heaters and replace the heaters at some typical point. Always keep a spare heater.

A lot of folks love those eheims, but they are a hard pass for me. Heaters are too long in length and the current generation has slipped in reliability, BTDT.

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

Lbrdsoxfan said:
This. I'd worry about a decent heater controller versus the quality or cost of the heater itself. As said above most heaters are garbage anyway. I also wouldn't trust those BRS branded titanium heaters 100%, seen a lot of post on this forum about early failures. They have good customer service, but that don't serve ya when your fish are freezing.

I'd go with a good controller, and some cheap glass heaters and replace the heaters at some typical point. Always keep a spare heater.

A lot of folks love those eheims, but they are a hard pass for me. Heaters are too long in length and the current generation has slipped in reliability, BTDT.

what do you recommend for a quality heater controller?

KStatefan · Feb 26, 2022

Trent H said:
what do you recommend for a quality heater controller?

I would not have a tank without a Ranco or the rebranded ones that aqualogic has.

ETC-111000-000 - Ranco ETC-111000-000 - Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ 8' Sensor, 120/240V Input

Ranco ETC-111000-000 - Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ 8' Sensor, 120/240V Input - Digital Display <ul><li>Unlike many electronic controls, the ETC is simple to install and set up. One finger is all you need to program it. The standard digital display and keypad allow the user...

www.supplyhouse.com

Accessories

Aquatic Temperature Controllers, Sensors & Flow Switches

aqualogicinc.com

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

Snoopy 67 said:
Ranco controllers for heaters are a commercial brand with a great track record.
I'm in the titanium camp.

could you post a link to the rancho controller?

tsharpe291 · Feb 26, 2022

Definitely not a cost effective option but Ive replaced my ehiem heaters( which have worked great over the years) with the helio ptc heater connected to my apex. These have a five year warranty so I have some confidence in them. You definitely should always have spare heaters laying around though. Like the saying goes “better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it“

Snoopy 67 · Feb 26, 2022

ETC Supply. ETC Controllers

www.rancoetc.com

Model # 111000-000

blaxsun · Feb 26, 2022

tsharpe129 said:
Definitely not a cost effective option but Ive replaced my ehiem heaters( which have worked great over the years) with the helio ptc heater connected to my apex. These have a five year warranty so I have some confidence in them. You definitely should always have spare heaters laying around though. Like the saying goes “better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it“

Someone recently posted a transcript of their conversation with IM re: a failed Helios heater that they were requesting warranty for, and the stuff IM was asking for and requesting (disassembly of the unit) was just bizarre.

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

KStatefan said:
I would not have a tank without a Ranco or the rebranded ones that aqualogic has.

ETC-111000-000 - Ranco ETC-111000-000 - Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ 8' Sensor, 120/240V Input

Ranco ETC-111000-000 - Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ 8' Sensor, 120/240V Input - Digital Display <ul><li>Unlike many electronic controls, the ETC is simple to install and set up. One finger is all you need to program it. The standard digital display and keypad allow the user...

www.supplyhouse.com

Accessories

Aquatic Temperature Controllers, Sensors & Flow Switches

aqualogicinc.com

thank you I will definitely be getting one of those so i would just cut off the plug on titanium heater wire it up to the 120 terminal and then were does the ground go?

Snoopy 67 · Feb 26, 2022

There are videos on YouTube for wiring.

KStatefan · Feb 26, 2022

Trent H said:
thank you I will definitely be getting one of those so i would just cut off the plug on titanium heater wire it up to the 120 terminal and then were does the ground go?

I would not wire it like that I would either use pigtails like the aqualigic one has or hardwire to an outlet or buy from the link that @Snoopy 67 posted

Trent H · Feb 26, 2022

thanks everyone!

Lareng · Feb 26, 2022

I have ordered the Inkbird 306a, it has dual temp sensor and dual relay for overheat protection. One relay is used in normal operation and one relay if abnormal behavior detects. If connected to Wi-Fi it will notify you in case something is wrong. I have two AquaMedic titanium heaters. This will be in my first reef tank so I hope it’s a good choice for redundancy and durability.