should i continue w/ Stealth Heaters?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Marineland Stealth Pro - Plastic and Black

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21323

Marineland Visi-therm - Clear and Glass

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+21322&pcatid=21322

Two different heaters...

I just had to return a new 300w Stealth to Dr FosterSmith because it died after a week. I got a 150w Rena Intake heater and hooked it to the intake of a Biowheel HOB with a little trimming of the tube and it's awesome so far. I also run a Hydor 300w inline and it does awesome. I still have 4 other stealths in service but they will all get swapped eventually. Before this 300w died I also had a 200w Stealth die randomly.. After two failures I won't buy something again.
 
I have had a stealth for a few years and no problems yet. (knock on wood)
Alot of people like ebo. My only problem with ebo is that they aren't submersible anymore, I like to place my heaters horizontal towards the bottom so I don't have to unplug them when I do water changes, lazy I know but after you fry a heater it's one less thing to forget.
 
polish;4046020; said:
Marineland Stealth Pro - Plastic and Black

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21323

Marineland Visi-therm - Clear and Glass

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+21322&pcatid=21322

Two different heaters...

I just had to return a new 300w Stealth to Dr FosterSmith because it died after a week. I got a 150w Rena Intake heater and hooked it to the intake of a Biowheel HOB with a little trimming of the tube and it's awesome so far. I also run a Hydor 300w inline and it does awesome. I still have 4 other stealths in service but they will all get swapped eventually. Before this 300w died I also had a 200w Stealth die randomly.. After two failures I won't buy something again.
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I just recently returned two 300w Stealths one was DOA and the other lasted a month returned both to manufacturer. I also returned two 250's that went bad. Both of these were over a year old and the are replacing those also.
 
We as a community should stop using Stealth heaters. That will signal to the other OEMs that there will be a price to pay for selling inferior products.

That is the only way we can get companies to produce quality products.
 
When Marioneland first started making VisiTherm Stealth heaters (7~10 years ago) I gave them a try and haven't bought any other brand since. I am very satisified with them as quality products...


It is true that we read more posts/threads abotu failures with Stealth heaters than most other brands... we have to keep in mind that this is largely because they are one of if no tthe most used brand of aquarium heater.


I also feel that forums like this neglect to account for "user error" in each case. Using a stronger heater than needed will increase the liklihood of the heater failing... Not following the directions and allowing the thermometer to balance before plugging it in will certainly disrupt proper heat control...
 
nc_nutcase;4051801; said:
When Marioneland first started making VisiTherm Stealth heaters (7~10 years ago) I gave them a try and haven't bought any other brand since. I am very satisified with them as quality products...


It is true that we read more posts/threads abotu failures with Stealth heaters than most other brands... we have to keep in mind that this is largely because they are one of if no tthe most used brand of aquarium heater.


I also feel that forums like this neglect to account for "user error" in each case. Using a stronger heater than needed will increase the liklihood of the heater failing... Not following the directions and allowing the thermometer to balance before plugging it in will certainly disrupt proper heat control...
Click to expand...

I understand the failure rate calculation (Top Fin probably sells more heaters than Visitherm).

However, with all this bad experience being reported on this forum, are you suggesting we should ignore it and give VisiTherm a free pass?

What good is a forum where people share good and bad product experiences, and then people like yourself suggest we ignore the bad?

I have not been looking at the Toyota Prius forums over the years, but I would hope end-users were not sharing their stuck accelerator experiences and then having Toyota moles tell them it's user error and for others to ignore the problem.
 
iloveoscars702;4045741; said:
from what i saw(through pictures) they look exactly the same.
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Actually the Pro's have a dial that changes colors to signify whether they are plugged in, power on/ heater on/ heater off. The standard STEALTH has a solid red dial, no light.

xdragonxb0i;4045980; said:
i like the stealth, i dont have to worry about the heater glass breaking
Click to expand...
Same here...all you need is one broken glass heater and you'll feel the same...

nc_nutcase;4051801; said:
When Marineland first started making VisiTherm Stealth heaters (7~10 years ago) I gave them a try and haven't bought any other brand since. I am very satisfied with them as quality products...


It is true that we read more posts/threads about failures with Stealth heaters than most other brands... we have to keep in mind that this is largely because they are one of if not the most used brand of aquarium heater.


I also feel that forums like this neglect to account for "user error" in each case. Using a stronger heater than needed will increase the likelihood of the heater failing... Not following the directions and allowing the thermometer to balance before plugging it in will certainly disrupt proper heat control...
Click to expand...
Well said...
I have followed the recommendations of the manufacturer about letting them cool for 15 minutes, before exposing them to air and that seems to make all the difference in the world.

I have to admit, in all fairness, out of the last 6 Stealths I have bought, the one that went bad, just quit heating. It was about 3 months old.
It didn't stick on, or cook the tank, it just didn't heat anymore. It was one that was always being exposed to air right after I flipped off the plugstrip, to do water changes.
I bought it at petSmart and it was gladly exchanged on the spot with a new one. Just keep your receipts.
Placement further down in the water (deeper) keeps them from being exposed all together during water changes, then it is not an issue at all.
On the floor of a sump is even better.


"gtgg" got through to Marineland just after the 1st of April (yeah I know) and inquired about the recent Pro's exploding and causing big damage...etc...

Of course it was ALL Bullshi+...there is NO recall on the Pro's or anything else...This was from a direct e-mail from Marineland.
PM "gtgg" if you have any questions about the recent BS on STEALTH heaters...
 
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