Won Brothers heaters

[Samper]

I'm now using my spare heater which is an Aqueon 300 watt actually a hydor theo in disguise. I'm only temporarily using it until I can get a better one so it's going to have to do. My won brothers titanium heater just stopped working this afternoon. It worked so well for 4 whole months too. So ridiculous. Anyway I found these reviews of heaters and I think I'm going to order a few Ebo Jagers but before I do I have a question. In browsing around I saw that the quality of work they are putting out lately isn't up to par with the older models. Is this true? And is anyone using the visi therm stealth? If so I'm curious.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews...01&sort=rating

[shaywood]

I had a Won also. Went out like yours. I sent it in under warranty and they sent a new one.

[Ninong]

I have never had a problem with Ebo heaters. I haven't heard anything about quality issues. Where did you hear that?

[Samper]

I'm fairly positive that I saw it over on Reef Sanctuary. Today looking around I can't find the exact post but Boomer said this and I don't really know what to make of it.

"I've had a couple of Ebo-Jagers fail over the years, but all have given me MUCH better service than the cheapo titanium heaters that are on the market. So far, I've never had one even last for the 6 month warranty, (or 1 year with Won Bros.) Many of you may remember the major tank crash I had last spring when a titanium heater fried internally, and blew the GCFI for the tank. After that, I'll probably never trust another titanium heater again. Now that Ebo no longer makes the Jager heater, things will change. Supposedly, the quality had dropped off, so they lost their marketing rights. Also, Visi-Therm used to be a great heater, but since they got sold to Marineland, I wonder how their quality will stand?"

[DonW]

IMO the AM biotherm coupled with a ranco or love is the best heater and contol combo on the market.
In terms of control we ask or expect our equipment to work and function as if this were some commercial piece of equipment. You just dont get that out of the cheap junk made for this hobby.

Don

[reefbeginner]

I woke up and found my nano at a chilling 73. The heater is used (bought with the tank which is 5 years old, but in stellar condition) and I pulled it out and it looked on and everything. I switched it out and am monitoring it on an empty QT to see if it actually works or just crapped out altogether.
I get really nervous about the water line thing on my Ebo Jagers- when I do water changes am I supposed to turn the heater off to avoid exposing it and risking explosion?

[Ninong]

I get really nervous about the water line thing on my Ebo Jagers- when I do water changes am I supposed to turn the heater off to avoid exposing it and risking explosion?

In my opinion, the "water line thing" was something their lawyers had them add to the recommendeed operating instructions. I always operated my Ebo-Jager heaters fully submerged, lying flat on the bottom of my sump, like probably 99% of hobbyists I know who use Ebo heaters.



P.S. -- If you're concerned about operating the heater out of the water, then that's a different subject. I wouldn't be concerned as long as most of the heater is under water during a water change. I definitely wouldn't recommend operating it full-time with half of it out of the water. If you're concerned, just pull the plug while doing a water change.

[Samper]

Alright, here is what I'm ordering. I figure it'll be nice to try out a few for myself and the school and have spares just in case since winter is approaching so here we go. Does anyone recommend something else or perhaps a substitution?

1. Ranco temperature controller
2. Ebo Jager 200w
3. Visitherm stealth 250w
4. Aquamedic Biotherm 250w

[DonW]

I would skip both the EJ and Visitherm. I would not use glass in the schools tank. Second the glass ones read "for houshold use" this means they are not at least 50% duty cycle. I would go with two 250w biotherms for the school. Mount both of them in the sump with the top out of the water at normal level, dont just toss them in the sump like you would at home. Mount the ranco outside of the stand and use its lock out feature to keep people from making changes.

Don

[Samper]

I'll need the dual ranco for that application right?

[DonW]

I'll need the dual ranco for that application right?

No, you only need the dual if want it to control a chiller or fans also. The ranco is going to have conduit knock out. For the school your going to have to use them to meet code. If the school has a staff electrician. Just have him/her put it in real quick. CYA, you can tell I'm married to a lawyer.

Don

[Samper]

I already made them sign an agreement stating that I wasn't responsible for anything in those regards but I agree it should be done right.