Heater issues

[madrussian79]

When I got home last night, the temp in my 55gal was 85.3. I keep it at 79.

I checked the heater and it was still set on 79 - and the weather wasn't an issue since it was in the 60's here yesterday.

I don't have a chiller but would love one - but getting to the point - I assume the thermometer inside the heater that normally shuts it off when it reaches the desired temp went bad???

Are there high quality heaters out there that don't fail like this?

FYI - it was a 300w Hydor - about 3 years old. I put my back up heater in the tank now, the same model, that I normally use for mixing water.

Any suggestions? Thanks all:ooh:

 

[Paul_N]

Heaters all go bad eventually. This is an example of why everyone should use a controller for the heater. If it sticks open/on like this the controller will cut power to it when it gets too hot in the tank.

 

[Poeticlydead]

If you don't have a full system controler you could look at the Ranco units.

 

[LegoZ81]

This is also why you should use several smaller heaters rather than one large one.
If the internal heater thermostat fails on or off you don't boil or freeze your tank.

 

[RBursek]

Ditto Paul.
heaters are one of the hardest work items going off and on, when they fail on it is more detramental usually the if they fail off, that is why a controller is one of the best investments.

 

[Troylee]

i dont run one nor will i ever unless i move back east or something...out here in the desert its always hot!!!! i had a heater on my first tank and it cracked took me 4 days to figure out why my breaker kept throwing.... so make sure you get titanium ones if you do use them......dumb thing would have killed me or burned my house down if i had my hand in there when it decided to kick on...:(

 

[fishoutofwater]

I use a ranco just for that reason. Also for my chiller. if either fail it shuts them down.

 

[650-IS350]

use a Rancho contoller or have it hooked up to a Neptune,DA or similar type controllers.