Best Heater/Temperature controller? (Non-Apex)

[XxAlex_OhxX]

Im so confused especially because the reviews on amazon and BRS are all mixed which makes it a pain in the butt to choose between options. I have a standard 20 gallon long (planning to upgrade to 90 next year), but I need a good heater and controller. California's temperatures are whack. Sometimes its hot, sometimes freezing which also ruins my life. Ive heard titanium heaters are good but which ones?! Finnex? BRS? Aquatop? Also what about temperature controllers? Ranco? IM Helios? Hygger? InkBird has extremely mixed reviews with so many calling it garbage for crashing their systems while others praise it, making me afraid to purchase. WHICH ONES???!!! I dont wanna come back home one day and find my fish boiled or frozen. Apex costs an arm and a leg and is way beyond my budget.

 

[blaxsun]

Get an IM Helio and kiss your worries goodbye.

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

Get an IM Helio and kiss your worries goodbye.

Whats a good titanium heater? I need one for my 20 gallon as well

 

[Ironwill723]

Ranco Temperature Controller

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

Ranco Temperature Controller

I hear people say this since its industrial style, but the probes arent waterproof. How do i make them?

 

[Derrick0580]

I hear people say this since its industrial style, but the probes arent waterproof. How do i make them?

Thin coat of silicone

 

[Ironwill723]

I hear people say this since its industrial style, but the probes arent waterproof. How do i make them?

I just put heat shrink tubing over the end of mine and sealed it over. I believe you can purchase them with a better probe as well from some of the aquarium suppliers.

 

[blaxsun]

Whats a good titanium heater? I need one for my 20 gallon as well

The BRS German ones are good.

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

I just put heat shrink tubing over the end of mine and sealed it over. I believe you can purchase them with a better probe as well from some of the aquarium suppliers.

Can you send me a pic of your ranco probe? Also are you attach something like this aquarium probe to the Ranco? If im not mistaken you need to actually wire the probe to the unit right? https://www.coralvue.com/titanium-ground-probe

 

[MnFish1]

Have never had a problem with Finnex titanium. Would never buy a glass one (other brands)

 

[KStatefan]

Can you send me a pic of your ranco probe? Also are you attach something like this aquarium probe to the Ranco? If im not mistaken you need to actually wire the probe to the unit right? https://www.coralvue.com/titanium-ground-probe

Why would you attach a grounding probe?

You need to water proof the temperature probe

I made titanium thermo wells for mine

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

Why would you attach a grounding probe?

You need to water proof the temperature probe

I made titanium thermo wells for mine

veey nice. I cant make that though lol.

 

[KStatefan]

veey nice. I cant make that though lol.

You can purchase a titanium one from aqualogic or just use shrink tube

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

I just put heat shrink tubing over the end of mine and sealed it over. I believe you can purchase them with a better probe as well from some of the aquarium suppliers.

Do you have a link to these better probes?

 

[t5Nitro]

I have an aqualogic which I think you can still buy directly from them and regular old eheim heaters. I’d say it’s my most reliable piece of equipment on the tank by a mile. I think they’re just ranco controllers but aquariumized and pre installed water proofing.

 

[sc50964]

Have never had a problem with Finnex titanium. Would never buy a glass one (other brands)

Same here

 

[robotrash]

IM Helio with their heaters. No issues, no fuss.

 

[rtparty]

BRS elements and Aqua Logic controller which is a rebranded Ranco with a probe for our use. The Aqua Logic is by far the most robust and best track record out there. Ranco controllers are bullet proof

The Helios aren’t bad either but I’ve witnessed too many fail after a couple months to trust them.

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

I have an aqualogic which I think you can still buy directly from them and regular old eheim heaters. I’d say it’s my most reliable piece of equipment on the tank by a mile. I think they’re just ranco controllers but aquariumized and pre installed water proofing.

I saw that. So is that aqualogic unit just as good as a ranco? Also it seems by judt renaming it and giving it a titanium probe adds 120 bucks to the price. Sheesh

 

[XxAlex_OhxX]

BRS elements and Aqua Logic controller which is a rebranded Ranco with a probe for our use. The Aqua Logic is by far the most robust and best track record out there. Ranco controllers are bullet proof

The Helios aren’t bad either but I’ve witnessed too many fail after a couple months to trust them.

So which should i invest in? a Ranco or Aqua Logic?