Hydor ETH 201 inline heater?

[missmary]

Anyone have any experience with one of these? I got one for free and was wondering if I could/should use it to replace my 200W hanging heater (old, I know, but it's been keeping the aquarium temperature steady for over 5 years!)

So yeah, I'd like to hear any good/bad about this little piece.

 

[nfored]

I have been wanting one of these for a while, but I hate they only make them in 300 watts. I would like to hear anyone who has used these on a large tank.

I have been wanting one because I think they are safer as far as stray electrical current, or accidental exposing of the electrical circuit to the water.

A couple of these or a Titanum Heater/Controller are on my Christmas list.

 

[missmary]

I have been wanting one because I think they are safer as far as stray electrical current, or accidental exposing of the electrical circuit to the water.

I was told that they automatically shut off to prevent damage if they suddenly run dry. Is this true?

Also, being an inline heater, would using an inline heater with my canister filter reduce the output flow? Not that this would be a bad thing... my new Eheim 2217 is putting out QUITE a current in my 55g and I figured this inline heater could soften it a little bit.

 

[dwilder]

imo best heater ever made

 

[joey02]

theres really nothing bad to say about this heater.... I have the 300watt version.

Doesnt slow the flow down at all, no cold spots in the tank, keeps the tanks temp steady, goes under your stand so there in no heater in the tank to look at or a fish to break. Well worth the money IMO and the best heater out there IMO. I also have a couple of the new fluval E series heaters and the hydor is better than them IMO.

for the strong current your canister is putting out, put a spray bar on it. The hydor wont help with that.

 

[deeda]

I have 3 of these heaters and I love them. They MUST be installed vertically so there is no chance of air being trapped in them. I don't think they reduce the flow very much, if at all, when properly sized to your output tubing.

I have the ETH 200 on an Eheim 2215 & a temporary 20H. One ETH 300 is on an Eheim 2028 & a 75G glass tank. The other ETH 300 is on an Eheim 2262 & a 220G glass tank. All the tanks stay at the proper temperature & I haven't had any issues in 4 years. The dial can be easily bumped though so I use a small piece of electrical tape to keep it secured.

 

[nfored]

I have 3 of these heaters and I love them. They MUST be installed vertically so there is no chance of air being trapped in them. I don't think they reduce the flow very much, if at all, when properly sized to your output tubing.

I have the ETH 200 on an Eheim 2215 & a temporary 20H. One ETH 300 is on an Eheim 2028 & a 75G glass tank. The other ETH 300 is on an Eheim 2262 & a 220G glass tank. All the tanks stay at the proper temperature & I haven't had any issues in 4 years. The dial can be easily bumped though so I use a small piece of electrical tape to keep it secured.

So in my 220 I should be able to get by with just one? its acrylic so it hold heat well.

 

[missmary]

Seems likes there's nothing but good things to be said about this heater. I'm definitely going to give it a try on my 55g

 

[deeda]

So in my 220 I should be able to get by with just one? its acrylic so it hold heat well.

I would give a tentative yes since it is working for me. The Hydor literature recommends the ETH 300 for a 53 - 80 G tank with up to a 14F difference between aquarium temperature required & minimum room temperature.

I think there must be a lot of variables that come into play since it is working for me. I have at least 200 lbs (dry) of Feather rock and a DIY background of additional Feather rock embedded in cement on an eggcrate matrix. There is 1" of Colorquartz S-grade substrate. My lighting is a Coralife 72" Lunar Aqualight Compact Fluor. Strip light mounted 3" above the glass canopy & I'm only using two 96W bulbs for 10 hrs/day. I have 2 AC110's, an Eheim 2217 & 2262, & a Koralia 4 for circulation. My average room temperature is 68F year round.

I know this was long-winded but I do think all these variables come into play. I've never monitored how often the heater comes on. Maybe I need to pick up a Kill A Watt device to check my energy usage.

 

[Reel Addiction]

I have 2 300's on my 180. My output is split so there is heated water coming out at each side of the tank. One thing I would love to see them do is make the heater so it can be hard plumbed.