Buy heater new or used?

[Davidiator]

In my opinion any heater over a year old is ready to be phased out.
I know aquarists who change them out with new ones every year, as common practice, because the chance of having them cook your fish, when failing in the "on" position goes up exponentially as heaters age.
I had a Hydor in-line heater fail in the on position, and start to melt the PVC pipe line it was feeding (not to single out Hydor,I have had many brands fail that way over the last 5+ decades of fiskeeping), I noticed when I saw the PVC pipe sagging.
Since then, I always get under sized heaters for my tanks, and use a few in a tank instead of one high watt unit, in this way if one fails "on", the others turn off, and smaller units don't have enough power to cook alone.
The other, and best option, is getting heater controller.

See... I currently use a 100 watt heater in my 150 gallon
Yes I know I should have 2 300 watt heater.
I have thermostats on both sides of tank and they both say 78*F
The heater never turns off... I used it in my 55 once and it ended up killing the overheating the tank but in this massive 150 it doesn't fully heat the tank...

NO. I am not saying to buy used I am just saying that I have had this heater for about 4 years and i Just had to find the right tank for it

 

[duanes]

If you get the Hydor, I recommend putting a check valve below the unit to help hold water in it, in case of a power or pump failure.
The easiest way to burn them out is in the "on" position when dry, I realized too late when one burned out for me.

 

[smitty03281964]

If it works then I see no problem with the purchase. I have came across used heaters, and they have outlasted my new heaters.

 

[mattison187]

I made a thread about 6 mos ago about a heater malfunction taking out an aquarium of mine while i was on vaca. Deff dont skimp on your heater

 

[TUCCI]

Is buying a used heater a good idea? Looking to get a Hydor inline heater, not sure if I should save a bit and get a used one, or just spend a little more for a new one.

Thanks,
Drew

Depends on the risk factor to your occupants, if it killed your fish because it over or under heated, how upset would you be? Now make your decision.