Best Heater ?

[dugg]

Who makes the best heaters? i have just set up my 90 gallon, and want to get a good heater for it. I have a finnex in my other tank, but the controller is a huge piece of %#@$. The temp sensor on it takes forever to keep up with the actual temp. I just wanted to get some opinions before i order a new one.

 

[Jimbob]

In my opinion, the best solution is a cheap glass heater (Marineland or whatever) in combination with a Ranco controller.

 

[anative]

I've always had good luck with the Ebo Jager heaters and now that they are part of Eheim they should be even better.

Jon

 

[chrisstie]

I can't really speak from experience myself, but recently was talking with a friend who was moving his tank. He had fish/corals in a bucket with a glass heater and it broke and electrocuted everything.

You may want to keep this in mind when selecting a heater for that "just in case" moment. I think the one in my 55g is a jager unit and the one in my red sea came with the tank so I think its their own brand.

 

[dugg]

I have broken a glass heater with my arm in the tank before. That is a very unpleasant experience to say the least. That was my reason for buying the finnex titanium heater, but there digital controler is junk at best. If the power shuts off it resets at 82*, so it is a chiller heater war until someone notices the chiller sure is running alot lol. The temp sensor is also very slow at reading changes. It keeps up when the temp is rising, but not when the temp drops. I like the heater it's self, just the controller is junk. Maybe another Finnex heater and just get a rancho controller instead of the Finnex.

Where is a good place to get Rancho controlers? Not having much luck finding at my normal places online.

 

[Jimbob]

Where is a good place to get Rancho controlers? Not having much luck finding at my normal places online. [/B]

DIY Reef carries them.

 

[dugg]

Thanks

 

[cham]

IMO, if you're going to drop $130 on a dual stage controller you'd be better off spending a little more and getting a controller. I prefer the ReefKeepers but many are happy with Aqua Controllers.

You'll be spoiled once you have one.

BRS is selling the RK2 for $250 and you get a free PH probe this week.

 

[chrisstie]

I can't stop myself from typing "who could resist a free probe?!" hehe

 

[dugg]

I'm just guessing, but i think if i end up spending $300 to put a heater in this tank, i may be in the market for a new wife and place to stay lol. The single stage controler is only $79

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

ebo jager is my choice of heaters. john is right about the merger and it can do nothing but improve the product. the controller thing i would use just as a backup. set the heater say at 80 and have the controller shut if off at say 82. you run a chiller now correct and is it running of a controller now, if you have a ranco now why not sell the single and by a dual and it would cost about the same

 

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14127478#post14127478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisstie
I can't stop myself from typing "who could resist a free probe?!" hehe

 

[cham]

Keep an eye out. You can usually pick up a used controller for around $100 to $150.

They'll control your cooling fans & heater & lights and more. I LOVE them

 

[dugg]

I have a chiller, but not on this tank. The 90 has T-5's and doesn't have a heat issue. It's problem if the temp dropping at night. I need to get a heater in there to maintain a constant 80* instead of dropping off at night. My chiller is on my 30 gallon, which has MH lights and i just use the built in controler for it, and the Finex digital controller on the heater.