what kind of heater????

[john]

ive had more problems with my heaters lately.i have a 300 watt hydor and a couple cheapy 200 watters that are no were near acurate.winters coming and i want to make sure im ready.i have a 180 gal with a 30 gal sump and need a heater or 2 to place horizontaly in my sump. my ? is

what brand?? how many? watts?? thanks

[Witfull]

anything but a Won Bros.

[mps9506]

Very happy with my Finnex heater:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=Finnexheat

Or you can use the following to control the heaters you already have:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=GroundTemp
Just set your heater to max temp and use the controller to cut power on and off to the heater. There are cheaper temp controllers out there, but I didn't take the time to really look.
I've been very happy with finnex might I add... Buy the finnex control, the titanium heater and your set for life.

[odstar]

What about Ebo Jagers

[R.yumaDaddy?]

IMO, if you invest so much in livestock get a controller for whatever heater you buy. I use an AquaMedic, but am annoyed by its quirks.

[BoomerD]

I don't know why heaters seem to all have gotten so crappy lately. None of them are very reliable anymore. I definitely second using a controller for the safety of your tank. T'was a time, when Ebo-Jager was about the best you could buy. Apparently not so any more. Visi-therm MIGHT still be ok. Don't know how the Hagen Tronic's are anymore, not the Rena heaters...
.

[R.yumaDaddy?]

Originally Posted by BoomerD

I don't know why heaters seem to all have gotten so crappy lately.
.

2nd THAT!!!
Was thinking the exact same thing.

[Gina]

We have a Vise-Therm Deluxe and so far (1 yr old) no problems.
As far as how many watts you'll need, check the Selection guide on the side of the heater.

We are using a 200W on our 75g with a 15g sump and that seems to keep our temp where we want it along with the pumps that are in the sump/refugium.

[mempho reefer]

Originally Posted by BoomerD

Visi-therm MIGHT still be ok. .

I have a Visi-therm Stealth....hate it!!
Mine runs too warm. I keep it set at 75 in order to maintain a temp of 80 and that's my second one. I returned the first one because when I set it at 80 it spiked my tank temp to 86!!!!!!!!!!! The "precision temperature dial" sucks!! I will say that I've now had it for about a year and it has not failed but it was a pain to set in order to maintain a steady temp.

[mps9506]

Jagers have changed in design over the years, some oone told me they were purchased by Eheim and the design changed. I'm not sure. I have one that is 15 years old and still rockin. Haven't bought one to replace that one on my FW.
But honestly a controller is the only way to go. Do not really on the crappy thermostats in your glass or titanium heaters. You can purchase a Ranco heating controllor for around $75 with snesor to turn your heater on and off. This is going to be much more accurate than something that comes in a $20 heater.
But can I plug Finnex again? I bought ours around a year ago. It is great, and it comes in the nicest box a heater system has ever been packed in

[lcstorc]

Originally Posted by mps9506

But can I plug Finnex again? I bought ours around a year ago. It is great, and it comes in the nicest box a heater system has ever been packed in

LOL
What is so special about the box?
Maybe cause it's early, but I have to wonder.

[burning2nd]

i know everyone hates, the won's but my lcd pro 2 keeps my tank at 80.1 and 79.8 never higher never lower.

id say jager, but since there now Eheim , and there qualty has gone strait down the tube, i would go with a few diffrent ones

for you size you probly need 275-350 watts total brake it down how ever you want,
3 100's
2 150's
1 350's

[BoomerD]

Originally Posted by burning2nd

i know everyone hates, the won's but my lcd pro 2 keeps my tank at 80.1 and 79.8 never higher never lower.

id say jager, but since there now Eheim , and there qualty has gone strait down the tube, i would go with a few diffrent ones

for you size you probly need 275-350 watts total brake it down how ever you want,
3 100's
2 150's
1 350's

3-5 watts/gallon is the standard recommendation. A 180 should be able to get by with the lower wattage, since the volume helps to shield the tank from changes. ALWAYS use 2 heaters (or more) when you can, to prevent one from failing and either cooking your tank, or not working at all, and things getting too cold...

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

LOL
What is so special about the box?
Maybe cause it's early, but I have to wonder.

Comes in a really nice box, with styrofoam to cushion the heating tube. Looked like a box that would hold jewelry or something.