k9outfit Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 After almost having made fish soup out of yet another tankfull of fish, I'm in search of another brand of reliable heater. This was the 6th heater of the same brand gone wonky on me now :grr: ; the water had reached 93 degrees F. by the time I noticed the malfunction - the heater was around 3 months old. At least this time though, there were no casualties. Regardless, I no longer trust this brand and am looking for an alternative. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Most of my tanks have Ebo-jager heaters and I haven't had any problems with them. But lately I've bought some Stealth heeaters and I prefer them. I haven't had them more then a couple months so i'm not sure of their durability but I like that they are plastic(or plastic coated?) and black. Much easier to hide them in the tank. Sorry to hear about your heater malfunction. I had a couple tank cook last year. Those tanks were using thermal compact heaters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 (edited) At one time I swore by ebo's, but it seems that they have had a fair number of problems since Eheim took them over. My current choice of heater, Visitherm Stealth. edited to add, on my show tank I run both heaters through a controller unit. Unless both units fail, no worries about boiled fish syndrome. Edited October 27, 2006 by RD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmith Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 I've been running 3 Stealths on 3 different tanks for months and haven't had any problems. I like that they're black and durable. The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is that they don't have an indicator light to let you know they're on but the temp dial is bright red. Why not have a light that comes on once in a while and make the dial black - I think we would be able to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1foxes Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 I've got 60+ tanks, and I heat them all, so here goes.... As good as EBO is, I really do like them, but I"ve got what seems like a disproportionate number of totally dead ones hanging around. Stealth is good, but one alot overlook is RenaCal. I've got a few and if it weren't for my budget being so dang tight I'd probably buy more of them. I have mostly Penn-Plax thermatec submersibles, and despite their cheap price, they work better than the Elites I have. I have a few other oddballs, Neptune, Marineland, Guardian etc. I prefer submersible just because of the safety issues with water, but the non-sub ones I have(Elite) work really well and I don't have any problems with temps all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 I love my Ebos, and although I have yet to use any stealths, everyone I know that has, loves them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishGeek Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 I'm a big fan of tronics, but ebo as well. I lean more to tronics though due to the smaller size of most of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinless Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 ime, stealth rules. works great for tank rearrangers comfortable using rena. no problems yet in approx. 2 years use. hagen therma-somethings, are like pipe bombs. keep close tabs if using those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ward Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Try out a new one from Golds ViaAqua titanium tube total submersable heater. We try it out on the 80 gallon and now have one in almost all the tanks now. Also price is quite reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Try out a new one from Golds ViaAqua titanium tube total submersable heater. I am wary of those after hearing of a number of them seriously failing in the US....let us know how those work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ward Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Try out a new one from Golds ViaAqua titanium tube total submersable heater. We try it out on the 80 gallon and now have one in almost all the tanks now. Also price is quite reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOSStile Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 I noticed that Petcetera is selling 50 to 300 watt Elite submersibles for like 18 bucks starting tomorrow regardless of size. Just so you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandopsis Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 I have had my ViaAqua Titaniums for 3 years or so with out a problem, but if i were to go buy another it probably be a staelth. I have heard nothing but good reveiws from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9outfit Posted October 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Thanks for all the input peoples! :bow: So, guess I'll go for the Stealth heaters. Also, while we're on the subject, what whould be considered an "acceptable" temperature fluctuation (ie water temp. at which heater turns on to water temp. when it shuts off)? For African cichlids - if the species is relevant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDFISHGUY Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Great choice. My tanks are now on Stealths and I liked the name so much I bought a stealth grey truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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