Poll,.. On Heaters ?

427HISS · Nov 22, 2017

Are we at a point where the top 3 to 5 brands are about the same, as in reliability & quality ?

Daltrey · Nov 22, 2017

I think we are at the point that they are all the best until they fail on you, ha! Best is to have a failsafe.

427HISS · Nov 22, 2017

Ok, I believe I'll try the Jager and a controller.
So, between the RANCO vs Inkbird, which would you choose and why ? (and which model) ?

RANCO-

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...vtargid=kwd-3204430396&ref=pd_sl_6y8d751u6z_e

Inkbird-

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...argid=kwd-327178230717&ref=pd_sl_87zum4p3ad_b

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/thermostat-temperature-controller-ink-bird.html

cromag27 · Nov 22, 2017

the best are viaaqua. all others are meh.

Daltrey · Nov 22, 2017

cromag27 said:
the best are viaaqua. all others are meh.

The reviews don't make it look like the best.

https://www.amazon.com/ViaAqua-Tita...arp_mb_viewopt_srt?sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

427HISS · Nov 23, 2017

I'm checking out the inkbird on youtube and so far I only see then for other uses than for aquariums.

Are they setup for our use ?
Is their probe ok for water,let alone saltwater ?

Troy V · Nov 23, 2017

I am curious. How often do you guys replace your heaters, and do you fully submerge them?

I use 2-300watt and 1-250watt Ebo-Jagers.

427HISS · Nov 23, 2017

Wbat size tank do you have with 3 ?

427HISS · Nov 23, 2017

427HISS said:
I'm checking out the inkbird on youtube and so far I only see then for other uses than for aquariums.

Are they setup for our use ?
Is their probe ok for water,let alone saltwater ?

I checked out Joey, the king of diy on youtube, building his $25 heater controller. Says one will control 4 of his tank heaters.

Daltrey · Nov 23, 2017

Troy V said:
I am curious. How often do you guys replace your heaters, and do you fully submerge them?

I use 2-300watt and 1-250watt Ebo-Jagers.

I run two eheim jager 250 watt heaters for my 155 gallon tank. One is set a couple degrees higher so it is basically a backup that never comes on. I keep the room temp at 72 and tank temp at 78. My apex will kill the power to both and my lights if my tank temp ever rises above 85. Then I can diagnose but I don't plan on ever replacing a heater unless it fails.

Troy V · Nov 23, 2017

427HISS said:
Wbat size tank do you have with 3 ?

The system is 500+ gallons. The plumbing is under the carpet with a layer of insulation between the PVC and the cement foundation. But it is on an outside wall. It works well to cool the tank in both the summer and winter.

Daltrey said:
I run two eheim jager 250 watt heaters for my 155 gallon tank. One is set a couple degrees higher so it is basically a backup that never comes on. I keep the room temp at 72 and tank temp at 78. My apex will kill the power to both and my lights if my tank temp ever rises above 85. Then I can diagnose but I don't plan on ever replacing a heater unless it fails.

I agree it is very important to use a controller to run your heater. Use redundancy whenever you can. Especially since Murphy lives in all of our homes. My concern with heaters isn't the fact they could stay on. I have a backup for that with the controller. But what if it shorts out or worse electrocution. This seems to be a greater concern it you full submerge your heater. I replace my every 1 to 2 years because of this. I have too much money riding on a 30 piece of hardware.

Daltrey · Nov 23, 2017

Thats why you should always use a ground fault circuit interrupter around water. Plus a little common sense. All of my equipment is cleaned and inspected at least every six months.

If you were really anal I guess you could flip the circuit breaker to your tank before putting your hands in. Or install a ground rod. I will just stick with the gfci doing its job.

reefwiser · Nov 23, 2017

I use a ranco controller for my heater control while I use aquarium controllers. I don’t like controlling temp
With anything but a dedicated heat controller. I have seen many tank failures with heaters

Troy V · Nov 23, 2017

Daltrey said:
Thats why you should always use a ground fault circuit interrupter around water. Plus a little common sense. All of my equipment is cleaned and inspected at least every six months.

If you were really anal I guess you could flip the circuit breaker to your tank before putting your hands in. Or install a ground rod. I will just stick with the gfci doing its job.

All of my systems are on a medical GFCI. They are much more reliable than traditional GFCIs. But even these can lead to a false sense of security. There is still enough power to easily wipe out your tank and give you a nasty shock. Just short of killing you. Which is what the GFCI was designed to do. Save your life, not your aquarium. You are right about being anal about your equipment. I've had defective heaters out of the box. It was only when I cleaned it in the sink a few months later did I notice it was taking on water. Thank God it wasn't submerged. This is why I no longer submerge my Jager heaters past the water line.

427HISS · Dec 1, 2017

I'll get back to this thread, but first. I have three glass thermometers that read different temps, but are within 3-4 degrees.
What do you guys use and trust ? (I'd do a search but with this tablet I touch the search tab it disapears ?)

I could start a new thread, but here is fine and trust your advise & knowledge. (I hope) ;Nailbiting lol....

427HISS · Dec 1, 2017

Troy V said:
The system is 500+ gallons. The plumbing is under the carpet with a layer of insulation between the PVC and the cement foundation. But it is on an outside wall. It works well to cool the tank in both the summer and winter.

I agree it is very important to use a controller to run your heater. Use redundancy whenever you can. Especially since Murphy lives in all of our homes. My concern with heaters isn't the fact they could stay on. I have a backup for that with the controller. But what if it shorts out or worse electrocution. This seems to be a greater concern it you full submerge your heater. I replace my every 1 to 2 years because of this. I have too much money riding on a 30 piece of hardware.

I'm either seeing things, crazy or hopefull, is that a giant clam ?

Mark Gray · Dec 1, 2017

Eheim Jager

Troy V · Dec 2, 2017

427HISS said:
I'm either seeing things, crazy or hopefull, is that a giant clam ?

LOL! Yes it is a clam.

427HISS · Dec 2, 2017

Troy V said:
LOL! Yes it is a clam.

OMG, OMG,........OMG !!!

How old is he ?
How long have you had it, where is it from ect ? (don't say the ocean) dah...
Size ?
Do you have to get a dump truck amount of calcium weekly ? !!!

427HISS · Dec 2, 2017

Ok, almost past the clam shock.

Since my/our Jager is HUGE, I was looking at the MagClip Magnet Suction Cups which look like thr may work well,
but like a review says,there is only one large clip for a heater, so for a second one you need to buy another package.
Is that insane or what !

I mean, it comes from Zoo Med, not Kmart, so why not 2 heater clips ?
A not intended crap-up or they make us buy 2 to make more money ?

https://zoomed.com/wp-content/uploads/MS-1-097612110012_MagClip.jpg