tank heaters...

NewGoby · May 27, 2019

So after posting in this forum myself for a little while I think I need some help myself this time

I have a Red Sea Reefer 250, It had 1x 200w & 2x 50W Oase Heaters in it, but after having done some research I wanted to replace them with the more efficient Eheim Heaters (2x 150w).. and after having experience with heaters not turning off, I added an insulating layer of filter foam to the bottom, to prevent the heaters from touching the cold glass.

After I got home today my tank was sitting at 29.3C even though the heaters are set to 26.5..
I'm at a loss for words, EHEIM used to be amazing in my fresh water tanks, turning on & off when they're supposed to, I'm afraid to go to bed tonight or to work tomorrow, should I put my oase back in? (They're the reason I put the insulating layer in, because that seems to make them turn off at exactly 26.5C) I measure with 3 different sensors.

xxkenny90xx · May 27, 2019

I know this isn't very helpful right now but a decent temperature controller is a must have in my opinion.

BadFish619 · May 27, 2019

Was the house warm inside? Hot day?

NewGoby · May 27, 2019

BadFish619 said:
Was the house warm inside? Hot day?

not really, it's about 20 C outside

Rakie · May 27, 2019

@xxkenny90xx is right.

You need a temperature controller one way or another -- There is no way around this, it's absolutely crucial, and non-debatable.

Additionally, I like Finnex titanium heaters. I've had eheim and everything else you could imagine fail on me, but no finnex. They also have a nicer controller attached (But you STILL need a temperature controller).

In 2019, you cannot reef without a temperature controller. The 90's were a long time ago, there are no trustworthy heaters that can run without a controller for the last 20 years, in my experience.

Never, ever, ever trust a heater. Get a controller.

BadFish619 · May 27, 2019

NewGoby said:
not really, it's about 20 C outside

Tank, especially glass is not very insulated. Sorry I don't know celcius conversion. But if my house is 80 F inside, tank will be 82F. I'm sure you're right, its just always something I ask because people don't really think about that aspect of it. But Heaters can definitely malfunction.

NewGoby · May 27, 2019

Rakie said:
@xxkenny90xx is right.

You need a temperature controller one way or another -- There is no way around this, it's absolutely crucial, and non-debatable.

Additionally, I like Finnex titanium heaters. I've had eheim and everything else you could imagine fail on me, but no finnex. They also have a nicer controller attached (But you STILL need a temperature controller).

In 2019, you cannot reef without a temperature controller. The 90's were a long time ago, there are no trustworthy heaters that can run without a controller for the last 20 years, in my experience.

Never, ever, ever trust a heater. Get a controller.

I'll be getting one for sure, thanks guys!

Tank is now at 28.9 and cooling swiftly, anyone who has any suggestions on letting it drop just a tiny bit faster?
I already have buckets of cold water hanging inside, to absorb the heat, after which i give it to the plants & get more cold water

xxkenny90xx · May 27, 2019

The slower you drop the temp the better! Fish don't like fast temp swings. In the summer I usually have a bottle of water in the freezer that I'll throw in if it's getting too hot in the tank. I own the temp controller I showed you and on the cooling side I keep a small clip on fan plugged in.

Rakie · May 27, 2019

I get a really strong fan and it will cool the tank about 3-5*f

seahorse_man · May 27, 2019

Rakie said:
Never, ever, ever trust a heater. Get a controller.

What if you have trust issues with the controller itself? So many horror stories with those as well. Really wish their was more quality products out there today. Feel like I can't trust anything for sure, so many mixed reviews.

NewGoby · May 27, 2019

thanks guys! I'll make sure to have it drop gradually, and ask my LFS for a temp control

NewGoby · May 27, 2019

seahorse_man said:
What if you have trust issues with the controller itself? So many horror stories with those as well. Really wish their was more quality products out there today.

god >< that's what i was thinking but i thought it was just me being paranoid :/

seahorse_man · May 27, 2019

NewGoby said:
god >< that's what i was thinking but i thought it was just me being paranoid :/

Nope, unless we're both just paranoid! Currently setting up a my first tank after a very long break and finding some of these products (heaters, controllers, temp probes, etc) are all junk apparently. I can't find one product that is across the board well rated. I was planning on using Eheim heaters as that's what I used to use, and upon searching for them saw they went downhill apparently.

Turnage · May 27, 2019

Rakie said:
@xxkenny90xx is right.

You need a temperature controller one way or another -- There is no way around this, it's absolutely crucial, and non-debatable.

Additionally, I like Finnex titanium heaters. I've had eheim and everything else you could imagine fail on me, but no finnex. They also have a nicer controller attached (But you STILL need a temperature controller).

In 2019, you cannot reef without a temperature controller. The 90's were a long time ago, there are no trustworthy heaters that can run without a controller for the last 20 years, in my experience.

Never, ever, ever trust a heater. Get a controller.

100% agree. I had a 60 gallon reef tank years ago and over night the heater failed on. I woke up to fish soup and a broken heart.

#1 rule with owning a fish tank. NEVER trust the heater.

ludnix · May 27, 2019

There seems to be a version of the inkbirds with plastic thermometer probes that fair much better than the stainless steel counterparts. I wouldn't use a tank without a controller and I wouldn't trust the controller completely either.

Rakie · May 27, 2019

ludnix said:
There seems to be a version of the inkbirds with plastic thermometer probes that fair much better than the stainless steel counterparts. I wouldn't use a tank without a controller and I wouldn't trust the controller completely either.

I'm forgetting the name, but I'd spring the extra $20 for the one that's better than the inkbirds. Sorry I just can't remember the name.

Otherwise the Apex Jr (or whatever equivalent they have now) is pretty reliable for temp.

Mike N · May 27, 2019

ludnix said:
There seems to be a version of the inkbirds with plastic thermometer probes that fair much better than the stainless steel counterparts. I wouldn't use a tank without a controller and I wouldn't trust the controller completely either.

I use this one, it has the plastic probe, but only controls heat.

xxkenny90xx · May 27, 2019

seahorse_man said:
What if you have trust issues with the controller itself? So many horror stories with those as well. Really wish their was more quality products out there today. Feel like I can't trust anything for sure, so many mixed reviews.

If you have a decent heater you can set it to the temp you want, then set the controller to do the same thing. Both would have to fail to have a problem

Saltyreef · May 28, 2019

Hygger titanium heaters with temp control have been solid for me. More than any other heater ive used. I have two running in tandem. My tanks temp has never drifted +/- 1degree.

Hemmdog · May 28, 2019

Rakie said:
I'm forgetting the name, but I'd spring the extra $20 for the one that's better than the inkbirds. Sorry I just can't remember the name.

Otherwise the Apex Jr (or whatever equivalent they have now) is pretty reliable for temp.

Ranco ?