Are Eheim Jagers Reliable?

[monkeybike]

Can I use standard silicone? I have some lying around and don't want to spend 10 dollars for a dab of silicone.

You can usually pick up a small tube at a decent pet store fairly cheap. I've seen Lowes stock a small size of aquarium safe silicone over in the glue and epoxy area.

 

[phreeflow]

I personally use a Ranco. I reccomend that you coat any of the controller temp probes with a smear of silicone as water can enter the joint between the probe tip and cable housing and cause issues. My first probe failed for exactly that reason. Ranco specs not submerging them without protection.

That’s a good tip! Can you clarify a bit? I think you’re saying you put the silicone only at the connection point between the probe and wire as that makes sense. Or, are you saying you coat the probe as well? I’d imagine coating the proble would insulate it and throw off the readings.

 

[kendragon]

I keep the dial out of the water and have no problems with mine.
Caution: There is a minimum water line a few inches below the dial.

 

[monkeybike]

That’s a good tip! Can you clarify a bit? I think you’re saying you put the silicone only at the connection point between the probe and wire as that makes sense. Or, are you saying you coat the probe as well? I’d imagine coating the proble would insulate it and throw off the readings.

I coated about the first 5" of probe / wire. I figure the silicone will just warm up as well, but might not handle rapid temp changes. I'm not too concerned.

 

[phreeflow]

Hmm...interesting. I may give it a shot on an extra probe. Thx

 

[Rocksor]

ranco sells a shrinkable plastic "well" for their probes so coating the probe with silicone won't make a noticeable difference in temperature reading

As far a eheim jagers reliability, I've had a 300 watt fail to heat after 2 years (light would go on), and I have a second 300 watt stop turning off after 5 years but it's on a Inkbird heater controller (4 years old). The other 3 x 300 watt are working fine, all on controllers. They range from 3-5 years old.

 

[FishNCash]

I also had a batch of Eheim failing on me in less than a year. Now I use Aquatop and Marineland visitherm.

Check out the new fluval advanced heaters. Pretty awesome from what I hear.

I just had one failed on me. The dial knob became unresponsive and I can’t decrease the temperature. Google it and you will see it’s a known problem.

I keep the dial out of the water and have no problems with mine.
Caution: There is a minimum water line a few inches below the dial.

what brand heaters do you use?