Reliable heater? what do you use?

[califjewls]

I am new to reefing and currently have a Marineland Stealth 150 watt heater in my 20 gallon reef that seemed to be working correctly a few weeks ago but now is having 1-2 degree fluctuations in heat.

What seems to be the most reliable heater in a reef? Does salt build up on heaters? causing them to not function correctly?

Thanks in advance! :-)

[Ninong]

I have always used Ebo Jager heaters without any problems. For your 20-gal tank, that 150w heater is way too much. You shouldn't have anything larger than a 50w heater.

It's possible for calcium carbonate to precipitate on the surface of heaters under certain conditions. You should be attentive for that and clean your heater regularly if necessary.

[Samper]

I use Ebo Jager heaters, Visi-Therm Stealths, and the Aqua Medic Biotherms. I have had no problems from any of these. The AM requires a controller where the other two listed do not. I use a Ranco controller with any heater though to help ensure that there are no problems. I lost my first Nano Reef from a heater sticking on but it was a cheapo.

[dkh0331]

I have two Finnex 300w Titanium's connected to a Ranco Controller.

And second Ninong's suggestion on cleaning the calcium build-up on a regular basis.

[Doodaa]

I just bought a ViaAqua 300 watt titanium tube heater. It comes with an external controller and a separate temperature probe. Seems pretty good...just hooked it up and I'll let you know. I only got it because I liked the external controller and it looked cool. Previously, I've only used the glass tube type of heaters. Jager, Hagen, and even some really cheap ones from Walmart (can't remember the brand). Seems like they all work decent enough. There's not much to a heater, so there's not much to fail.

Just pondering now...usually my tanks have been large so I've never had to worry about too big of a heater, but what's the downside of having a larger than recommended heater on a tank? Too hot in that one area? With the flow rate in most reef tanks, does it matter? Is it because the heater will short cycle and fail sooner?

[Papa Doug]

Ebo,s also but run through my controller. When I had the titanium with the external temp controller, it was pretty nice. The guy I sold it to is still using it and thats about 4 yrs. now.

[charlie]

I run a couple of Ebos on a reefkeepr2. Had these guys for 5 years, and no problems!!!

[Papa Doug]

I run a couple of Ebos on a reefkeepr2. Had these guys for 5 years, and no problems!!!

Identical to what I run, except for only one heater now because of tank size. I do find they wander however, {somewhat}, but of course not a problem with a controller.

Think if I sold my controller, I would go back to the titanium with the external controller on it, for whatever that controller is worth compared with ours.

I have read threads where others have had trouble with some of them but as mentioned, mine worked flawless.

[charlie]

If you are talking about the RK2 as the controller, I have had mine for less than a year, and I am nothing but happy with it. In the summertime, I control 2 fans with it also to control heat issues. The thing was flawless lasst summer!!!!!

[Papa Doug]

If you are talking about the RK2 as the controller, I have had mine for less than a year, and I am nothing but happy with it. In the summertime, I control 2 fans with it also to control heat issues. The thing was flawless lasst summer!!!!!

Yes, both the Ebo,s & RK2. Guess I have had mine for just over a year.