Fish Keeping Forum: New heaters needed. Any you recommend?

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sjbquattro
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Topic: New heaters needed. Any you recommend?
Posted: 25 March 2008 at 8:56pm

Hello all. Short and sweet this one!

I need 2 new heaters:

- A 300w (minimum) heater which is to replace a 300w one currently used as a backup in the main 700l tank (in case the Ehiem thermofilter dies). I have one at the moment but it's died.

- A 150w approx heater to go in the new Fluval tank. I have been getting by with a 75w but it can't cope during the day when the temp drops when the central heating is not on. Just came home from hols and the tank is sat at 20 degrees and it couldnt raise the tank temp any higher!

Any recommendations? Price is not main concern. I want heaters with guards on (Oscar-proof!) and with an accurate setting for the temp. Are there any out there with an external LCD readout? I have seen some on eBay but cheapo hong kong jobbies...

Currently checking eBay etc but the choice is, as always, massive.

Thanks.

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sjbquattro
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Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:09pm

Investigation so far.... these look good:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RENA-SMARTHEATER-SMART-HEATER-200-NEW-ON-MARKET_W0QQitemZ190209363665QQihZ009QQcategoryZ46311QQcmdZViewItem

Not cheap but seem to fit the bill. Available in all output wattage's....

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mantis147
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Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:24pm

I would go with one of those SJB They look really good quality!

Thinking of what tank to buy next!?

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Goonerman1
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Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:32pm

Yeah.....I've seen them in the shops just recently...they look good

Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU

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Goonerman1
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Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:37pm

Talking of heaters....I went to work today after 4 days off....fed my fish and not one of them ate a thing....I'd left an automatic feeder on over Easter that feeds twice a day (I only feed them once) and thought maybe they had eaten too much, They were all very still too.....very unusual...then I went to do a water change and the water was icy cold!!!!!!!!!!

The heater had stopped...I don't know exactly when...I got the sparky at work to check it out and he said it seemed fine...I thought I'd give it another go and it worked.....been running okay all day since....haven't a clue what happened, but will have to get a spare now to leave there, just in case!!!

Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU

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camcap
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Posted: 25 March 2008 at 10:58pm

hello mate these are what i will be using on my large tank when its set up they heat more water than a normal 300w http://www.wharfaquatics.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=WAQ3088

think you can get them cheaper than that price though they have Special Schott DURAN shatterproof glass but you could still get these gards http://www.wharfaquatics.co.uk/products.asp?cat=144 hope this helps

Edited by camcap - 25 March 2008 at 11:16pm

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sjbquattro
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Posted: 26 March 2008 at 9:51am

Many thanks everyone for the replies. I am going to pop down to my LFS today as the problem is worse than I thought and I am getting massive temp fluctuations in the new tank. Got up this morning and the tank is at 32 deg!!! So I think I need to pick one up today urgently before it does some harm. Will update later.... cheers.

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jennybugs
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Posted: 26 March 2008 at 10:43am

I can highly recommend the Rena smart heater! I got one free with PFK subscription and it's working super well in my brackish tank so far. So impressed I'm going to get another for the 125L as well. The thing I like about it is you can fit it up to your external filter, it's shatterproof and turns itself off if it's out of the water for any length of time.

Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D

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Goonerman1
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Posted: 26 March 2008 at 12:14pm

I like the idea of it turning itself off when out of the water....no more shattered glass when you forget to turn it off when doing a water change!!!

Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU

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rfriday9
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Posted: 26 March 2008 at 2:09pm

I bought the Aqua One metal heater with external control.

Both heaters packed up and I had to resolder the boards. The writing on the thermo control is blue on a grey background so unless the place you put it is really well lit you can't see the controls. I use a torch.

However, you don't notice the heater in the tank and I've had them for about 2 years with anymore problems.

rfriday9

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sjbquattro
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Posted: 26 March 2008 at 2:22pm

Thanks all.

I have been to the LFS and the prices for their heaters were ridiculaous compared to eBay. If it was a few quid difference I would have bought locally. I saved £20 overall inc postage so I am prepared to hang on for couple of days. Anyway, I have just purchased my 2 new units, which should arrive by Friday hopefully.

I found an old one in the garage to keep the small tank going unti it arrives but I wouldn't trust it beyond a few days.

I went for the Rena Smartheater 200w for my smaller tank:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190209363665&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009

And for the larger tank as a backup unit I went for the Eheim Jager unit (300w) which looks like usual german build quality and handles 600-1000l tanks. This unit will only be set to kick in if the thermofilter dies. I would have bought the Rena for this tank as well but he biggest one they do is the 300 model which will only handle tanks to 300litres.

Cheers

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220198619029&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=012

Edited by sjbquattro - 26 March 2008 at 2:24pm

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camcap
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Posted: 27 March 2008 at 12:01am

hello Mr SJB could you let me know how you get on with the Eheim Jager (300w) as im wanting these at a later date

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sjbquattro
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Posted: 27 March 2008 at 9:21am

Certainly will CamCap.

I'll probably do a full review (well, as much as you can do on a heater!) for each of them.

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Hardware & Equipment
Home »Forums»General Fish Keeping»Hardware & Equipment

Author	Message
sjbquattro Admin Group AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 20 October 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 4235 Articles: 6 Member Rating: 287	Topic: New heaters needed. Any you recommend? Posted: 25 March 2008 at 8:56pm
	Hello all. Short and sweet this one! I need 2 new heaters: - A 300w (minimum) heater which is to replace a 300w one currently used as a backup in the main 700l tank (in case the Ehiem thermofilter dies). I have one at the moment but it's died. - A 150w approx heater to go in the new Fluval tank. I have been getting by with a 75w but it can't cope during the day when the temp drops when the central heating is not on. Just came home from hols and the tank is sat at 20 degrees and it couldnt raise the tank temp any higher! Any recommendations? Price is not main concern. I want heaters with guards on (Oscar-proof!) and with an accurate setting for the temp. Are there any out there with an external LCD readout? I have seen some on eBay but cheapo hong kong jobbies... Currently checking eBay etc but the choice is, as always, massive. Thanks.


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sjbquattro Admin Group AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 20 October 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 4235 Articles: 6 Member Rating: 287	Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:09pm
	Investigation so far.... these look good: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RENA-SMARTHEATER-SMART-HEATER-200-NEW-ON-MARKET_W0QQitemZ190209363665QQihZ009QQcategoryZ46311QQcmdZViewItem Not cheap but seem to fit the bill. Available in all output wattage's....

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mantis147 Mega Poster AquaTrax User: no Joined: 27 March 2006 Last Active: 25 April 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2820 Articles: 2 Member Rating: 55	Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:24pm
	I would go with one of those SJB They look really good quality!
	Thinking of what tank to buy next!?
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Goonerman1 Moderators Marine Forum Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 December 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 6321 Articles: 3 Member Rating: 390	Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:32pm
	Yeah.....I've seen them in the shops just recently...they look good
	Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU
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Goonerman1 Moderators Marine Forum Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 December 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 6321 Articles: 3 Member Rating: 390	Posted: 25 March 2008 at 9:37pm
	Talking of heaters....I went to work today after 4 days off....fed my fish and not one of them ate a thing....I'd left an automatic feeder on over Easter that feeds twice a day (I only feed them once) and thought maybe they had eaten too much, They were all very still too.....very unusual...then I went to do a water change and the water was icy cold!!!!!!!!!! The heater had stopped...I don't know exactly when...I got the sparky at work to check it out and he said it seemed fine...I thought I'd give it another go and it worked.....been running okay all day since....haven't a clue what happened, but will have to get a spare now to leave there, just in case!!!
	Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU
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camcap Regular AquaTrax User: no Joined: 16 January 2008 Last Active: Today Posts: 482 Articles: 0 Member Rating: 8	Posted: 25 March 2008 at 10:58pm
	hello mate these are what i will be using on my large tank when its set up they heat more water than a normal 300w http://www.wharfaquatics.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=WAQ3088 think you can get them cheaper than that price though they have Special Schott DURAN shatterproof glass but you could still get these gards http://www.wharfaquatics.co.uk/products.asp?cat=144 hope this helps Edited by camcap - 25 March 2008 at 11:16pm

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sjbquattro Admin Group AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 20 October 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 4235 Articles: 6 Member Rating: 287	Posted: 26 March 2008 at 9:51am
	Many thanks everyone for the replies. I am going to pop down to my LFS today as the problem is worse than I thought and I am getting massive temp fluctuations in the new tank. Got up this morning and the tank is at 32 deg!!! So I think I need to pick one up today urgently before it does some harm. Will update later.... cheers.

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jennybugs Moderators AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 January 2008 Last Active: Yesterday Posts: 4085 Articles: 4 Member Rating: 392	Posted: 26 March 2008 at 10:43am
	I can highly recommend the Rena smart heater! I got one free with PFK subscription and it's working super well in my brackish tank so far. So impressed I'm going to get another for the 125L as well. The thing I like about it is you can fit it up to your external filter, it's shatterproof and turns itself off if it's out of the water for any length of time.
	Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D
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Goonerman1 Moderators Marine Forum Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 December 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 6321 Articles: 3 Member Rating: 390	Posted: 26 March 2008 at 12:14pm
	I like the idea of it turning itself off when out of the water....no more shattered glass when you forget to turn it off when doing a water change!!!
	Click here to see my 5x2x2 Marine set up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRZMI34smU
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rfriday9 Moderators Members Lounge Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 02 November 2005 Last Active: 29 August 2010 Posts: 5598 Articles: 16 Member Rating: 188	Posted: 26 March 2008 at 2:09pm
	I bought the Aqua One metal heater with external control. Both heaters packed up and I had to resolder the boards. The writing on the thermo control is blue on a grey background so unless the place you put it is really well lit you can't see the controls. I use a torch. However, you don't notice the heater in the tank and I've had them for about 2 years with anymore problems.
	rfriday9
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sjbquattro Admin Group AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 20 October 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 4235 Articles: 6 Member Rating: 287	Posted: 26 March 2008 at 2:22pm
	Thanks all. I have been to the LFS and the prices for their heaters were ridiculaous compared to eBay. If it was a few quid difference I would have bought locally. I saved £20 overall inc postage so I am prepared to hang on for couple of days. Anyway, I have just purchased my 2 new units, which should arrive by Friday hopefully. I found an old one in the garage to keep the small tank going unti it arrives but I wouldn't trust it beyond a few days. I went for the Rena Smartheater 200w for my smaller tank: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190209363665&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009 And for the larger tank as a backup unit I went for the Eheim Jager unit (300w) which looks like usual german build quality and handles 600-1000l tanks. This unit will only be set to kick in if the thermofilter dies. I would have bought the Rena for this tank as well but he biggest one they do is the 300 model which will only handle tanks to 300litres. Cheers http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220198619029&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=012 Edited by sjbquattro - 26 March 2008 at 2:24pm

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camcap Regular AquaTrax User: no Joined: 16 January 2008 Last Active: Today Posts: 482 Articles: 0 Member Rating: 8	Posted: 27 March 2008 at 12:01am
	hello Mr SJB could you let me know how you get on with the Eheim Jager (300w) as im wanting these at a later date

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sjbquattro Admin Group AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 20 October 2006 Last Active: Today Posts: 4235 Articles: 6 Member Rating: 287	Posted: 27 March 2008 at 9:21am
	Certainly will CamCap. I'll probably do a full review (well, as much as you can do on a heater!) for each of them.

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