What's the Best Heater For...

[need2ball]

What's the best heater if you plan to change it +/- 10 degrees fairly often?

I know people are big on the Stealths and the Ebo's. I've tried both and they work pretty good on the tanks where I don't need to change the temperature. BUT I have a breeding tank where I need to change the temperature +/- 10 degrees every month. I've noticed that these heaters dont like this at all. The thermostat on them gets broken really fast, after about 3-4 cycles or so and then to heat the tank to 82 I have to set it at 90 or something ridiculous like that.

I was thinking about getting an external thermostat... would that do better to solve the problem?

 

[jdmkid]

2 separate heaters maybe? just keep both in and then its a matter of unplugging and plugging in?

 

[need2ball]

hmmm that's a pretty good idea... thanks for the reply.

But maybe a good thermostat would do good as well...Whats a good thermostat/heater to buy?

 

[Nic]

2 heaters seems to be the best cheapest idea.... maybe a external heater controller on a stainless or titanium heater?

 

[nfored]

hmmm that's a pretty good idea... thanks for the reply.

But maybe a good thermostat would do good as well...Whats a good thermostat/heater to buy?

I am going to be getting titainum heaters and tempeture controller, basiclly the heaters are always on, but the controller cuts the power at the set temp. I think they make controllers for normal heaters that just plug in like an ac outlet.

but IMHO I like the idea of two heaters. you can leave both of them turned on, the one that is set for the lower temp will naturally be off while the higher on is on. This way if one breaks the second one is there, you would just have to unplug the hot one once a month.

 

[need2ball]

I am going to be getting titainum heaters and tempeture controller, basiclly the heaters are always on, but the controller cuts the power at the set temp. I think they make controllers for normal heaters that just plug in like an ac outlet.

but IMHO I like the idea of two heaters. you can leave both of them turned on, the one that is set for the lower temp will naturally be off while the higher on is on. This way if one breaks the second one is there, you would just have to unplug the hot one once a month.

awesome! you just made a good idea even better. I may use this but the only problem I'm thinking of is that I usually spread the +/- 10 degree temp difference over two days or so.

Are the controllers for normal heaters any good? Would I just plug in one of my stealths with the temp turned to the highest and let the control turn on and off the heater?

What titanium heaters with temperature controller are good? Which one are you getting? Which one would you recomend? I don't mind spending a bit more just because this is for a breading project, I just need a really reliable one that will last. I'm tired of continually buying these $20 heaters that just go bad quickly.

 

[CoryWM]

what wattage of heater are you using? Most heaters stick on or off due to being the wrong wattage for the tank.

A 2-300 watt heater inside a heated house in a 90g tank is too much. It senses the temp drop, turns on for a minute, then off again once it gets the temp in line.

Now think about doing this 50 times a day for a few months. Thats how heaters break. It the contact points that get heated out of whack. Heating and cooling metal that many times, or more each day will be hard on it. If you were to use 100 watt heater. It takes longer to initially heat the aquarium, however it'll remain on longer, less off/on time. Thus giving you more time between breakage.

This is only for indoor heated houses. Any other setting you need roughly 4 watts per gallon if its in the garage.

If you need some proof, watch how long it takes your tank to drop in temp when the power goes out/ you unplug the heater. A large body of water actually retains heat pretty well. IF it takes 2 hours to drop 3 degrees, you don't need to be able to heat it by 3 degrees in under 5 minutes. Its all about maintaining the temperature.

Also make sure you have good water circulation. Or you'll get the space heater syndrome. A room without a fan, the space heater will turn itself off, because the air around the heater is warm. Then someone walks by/fish moves the current, bringing in cold air/water and turns the heater back on.

 

[Pharaoh]

Definitely look into getting a controller. They will extend the life of a normal heater, plus allow you to use titanium heaters. You should be able to get the swing you are looking for by using a controller.

 

[Bud8Fan]

And when looking for controllers stay away from anything with the words "Bio-Therm" "Aqua Medic" or "Won-Brothers" on it. They are JUNK. Get a Ranco and you will be happy.

And when looking for Rancos get the one that you can wire youself. You will save a ton of money and they are fairly simple to wire. I just cut up a heavy gauge extension cord similar to this:http://www.nationalaudiovisualsuppl...e-Outlet-Extension-Cord-25-.html?feed=froogle and plugged my two titanium heaters into it.

 

[dennisdeng2002]

i would definitely look into a ranco if this is a large tank or the fish you are breeding are valuable. Personally if you have a sump i would pick up 3 stealths and a ranco. This combo is almost failsafe as if the ranco breaks (very rare) or the probe falls out of the sump the stealth thermostats will stop the heating after a certain temperature (set the stealths to slightly above the ranco) and with stealth's lifetime warranties you're heaters will also be insured. The only probelm with this is that stealths take up alot of room.