Best heater's ?

427HISS · Mar 30, 2015

For the first time, one of my heaters, luckily just in my salt mix container, shattered !

It was a brand new in the box Visi Therm, from the 90's, and have used it for a few months.

I don't want a glass one again.

Are most controlable using a Apex ?

High cost doesn't mean better, I assume ?

So, what do you believe is the top 4 or so, aquarium heaters, and why ?

glb · Mar 30, 2015

Following. I'm taking back my Marineland after reading all the bad reviews.

brentsreef · Mar 30, 2015

I use a 300w finnex titanium

427HISS · Mar 30, 2015

aquaman.15 said:
I use a 300w finnex titanium

Like this one ?
How accurate is it ?
How do you like the controller ?

http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-500-Wa...=1427760610&sr=8-16&keywords=aquarium+heaters

jent · Mar 30, 2015

I personally like the finnex titaniums. If you have an apex, you can just get the heating element, and no need to have an extra thermostat. With that said, I personally do have a failsafe thermostat on my finnex in case the probe comes out of the water or something.

I have heard really good things about Jager heater. With that said, after shattering a glass heater, I will never have another one again.

Any and every heater has it's failure stories, there is no perfect heater. Redundancy is the only sure fire way to protect your system.

jent · Mar 30, 2015

427HISS said:
Like this one ?
How accurate is it ?
How do you like the controller ?

Amazon.com : Finnex 500-Watt Hang-On Electronic Controller Aquarium Heater, Titanium Tube, 100 to 120-Gallon : Salt Water Aquarium Heater : Pet Supplies

This is actually the finnex I personally use:

Amazon.com : Finnex Deluxe Titanium Heating Tube, 500-Watt : Aquarium Heaters : Pet Supplies

Keep in mind the one I linked there does NOT include a controller. So you would have to use your apex to control it.

This is the controller I use for redundancy:

http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Temper...upplies_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=09R9QW0F5XPVSEHDEF9Z

Though it's probably not too necessary if I adjusted my program to just turn the heater off if the temp was crazy cold.

brentsreef · Mar 30, 2015

Thats the same heater i use, just a different controller

deerhunter06 · Mar 30, 2015

eheim, cause they have never failed me.

glb · Mar 31, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
eheim, cause they have never failed me.

I just ordered an Eheim and will pick up the finnex controller as a safeguard.

427HISS · Mar 31, 2015

If,....I finally decide to purchase a Apex system, what are the best heating elements for it ?

I've never had one and although their very expensive, I believe it may be time.
The expense is the biggest factor. I can get the basic system, but the add-ons modules etc,
can bring the cost upwards of a thousand dollars (+)

glb · Mar 31, 2015

427HISS said:
If,....I finally decide to purchase a Apex system, what are the best heating elements for it ?

I've never had one and although their very expensive, I believe it may be time.
The expense is the biggest factor. I can get the basic system, but the add-ons modules etc,
can bring the cost upwards of a thousand dollars (+)

Following. I'm trying to decide the same thing. What do you want to monitor?

KJAG · Mar 31, 2015

Have tried a few different heaters over the years. Eheim JÃ¤ger's are the worst I have ever come across by far. Went through 3 in approx 2 years and all stuck to the "On" position. Of course much worse then simply failing.
So far no complaints with a Finnex.
Regardless, never use a heater without a controller, for obvious reasons.

Damon · Mar 31, 2015

For heaters, I absolutely love the elements controlled by the apex. You get very tight control. I ran finnex last time and it worked very well. Never a problem, no crazy variances (I'm a little nutty about that stuff), and of course, alarm security.

On this tank, I'm running a blue line element. Not because there's anything at all wrong with the finnex. It was just a little shorter than the finnex and fit in my sump better. It was like 12" for a blue line and 14" finnex (250 watt units). I have to say, either way, you will be covered great.

The thing that "did" suprise me is that the elements alone are only like 35.00 to 40.00. Versus the same wattage heater being a bit more.

I also ran a jager on this tank and for a 150 watt, it was larger and cost more. Along with the temperature tinkering, mehhhh, I will take the element and apex controllable setup any day..

And I'm running a Jr on mine right now.. Fusion makes it so simple now that it's insane..