How Long Should a Heater Last?

[Saltcreep]

Well, I think I've got yet another fried heater. I was just sitting around, gazing at my community tank, thinking it was time for a water change. I noticed that some of the fish were looking a little sluggish. No #### wonder, the tank is at 90º F. I think this one is a Rena, but the brand (or the cost) doesn't seem to matter; I've had Jaegers, among others, go bad. Sometimes they stop working, sometimes they stick 'on'. It's not so bad when they fail in the 'off' position because the lowest the temp will drop is room temperature. But, if they stick 'on' like this one did, you could boil everything in the tank and never know it. Even if I could jar the contacts loose on this one, there's no way I can trust it again. A high-heat limiter or an alarm seems excessive to me. So, how long should a heater last?

[Nerine]

I am assuming you've tried turning it down a lot?? I have found sometimes the dial goes wonky after awhile...

but I've had heaters for years...though now I don't use them as often!!

but they should last awhile as far as I know!!! seems lately people have been having issues with them...maybe heat tape is the way to go now???

[Saltcreep]

I am assuming you've tried turning it down a lot?? I have found sometimes the dial goes wonky after awhile...

but I've had heaters for years...though now I don't use them as often!!

but they should last awhile as far as I know!!! seems lately people have been having issues with them...maybe heat tape is the way to go now???

The thing is, I'm not really keen on trying anything. Turning the dial way down might unstick the contacts, but how could I trust it again? Off to buy yet another one tomorrow. Anyone have any suggestions as to what brand to try now. Before this Rena Top Light went south, I had problems with Jaeger and Marineland, to name just a couple. I've actually got a bag somewhere with about a half dozen heaters in it that I won't use again.

[Nerine]

hmm no idea! sounds like you've gotten them all! LOL

I'm currently using a Stealth (it's plastic) and so far (knock on wood) it hasn't had an issue when I have needed it...

[Brent Shaver]

I am also running the stealth shatter proof in all my tanks and have been for quite awhile.  I have not had to remove any for over heating, I did lose one that just stopped coming on once.  I personally wouldnt try anything else as the product speaks for itself, at least in my case.

[Cbellehumeur]

i've been on the same 2 heaters for 6-7 years... I never touch the dial though. ones a tronic and ones a all-aquarium

[ordi260]

It happenned to me and its very disapointing.

I now only buy eheim jager heaters and try to change them every other year...just in case 

Hopefully this is often enough

[ajm1961]

I bought a few titanium fully submersible heaters while I was in Ohio. These came with a digital readout that clips on the side of the tank. These were recommended by Tom Herman, of CRLCA fame. All I can say is that these things are serious heaters, and I don't regret buying them. Price? Well, I got them from Ken's Fish at the convention, here is the link to their store:
http://www.kensfish.com/finnextitaniumheaters.html

Cheers!

[Saltcreep]

I'm running heaters on nine tanks right now. I haven't tried the Stealth yet, so maybe I'll give that a try. I'm willing to look at the idea of a controller of some kind, but how do you control that many tanks? Maybe I'll just dump them all and heat the room to 25º. On the other hand, I like the price on those Titaniums - any idea what his shipping rates are? 

[FishBuddy]

I've used many brands over the years and they ALL failed....  This include Hagen, Stealth and Jager.  The average life expectancy is approx. 2 to 3 years.  I am thru with submersible heaters!  One of them even exploded in the water exposing the heating elements   

Now, I am using titanium heaters with external controller.  They are great and you don't need to scare off half of your fish just to retrieve and adjust your heaters!   By all means they do cost more but offers a lot more convenience...

[washefuzzy]

Smallest titanium heater is a 150 watts is this acceptable for a 20gal tank?

[Hookup]

Stealth is what blew up on me after a few weeks... Google stealth heaters and see more..  I would never do it again.

[Cbellehumeur]

I'm running heaters on nine tanks right now. I haven't tried the Stealth yet, so maybe I'll give that a try. I'm willing to look at the idea of a controller of some kind, but how do you control that many tanks? Maybe I'll just dump them all and heat the room to 25º. On the other hand, I like the price on those Titaniums - any idea what his shipping rates are? 

i just looked up shipping and it's the same price as the heater

[Saltcreep]

i just looked up shipping and it's the same price as the heater

Could you elaborate a bit? The only thing I could find on the website about shipping is that he would confirm the price, including shipping, after the purchase. I can't find any actual shipping rates or info. Hopefully, you're not telling us that a $30 heater ships for $30. 

[fischkopp]

The heater is always the weakest link in the aquarium, no matter what brand, at one point the fail, and that can be fatal.

But there are a few precautions you can make:

• Use an external controller together with temperature controlled heater. It's unlikely that both fail at the same time.
• Use two heaters instead of one, but choose the wattage of each low enough that one isn't able to heat the tank to lethal temperatures.
• Don't use heaters if you don't have to. Pumps and lights increase the temperature. Heat the room instead.

[Cbellehumeur]

Could you elaborate a bit? The only thing I could find on the website about shipping is that he would confirm the price, including shipping, after the purchase. I can't find any actual shipping rates or info. Hopefully, you're not telling us that a $30 heater ships for $30. 

I clicked on the heater i wanted and went to "check out"...it asked what country and PC then it asks you what kind of shipping you want. There are only 2 choices for canada. I choose the cheaper and the prices came up. the heater was $26 something and the shipping was $24.95

[Saltcreep]

The heater is always the weakest link in the aquarium, no matter what brand, at one point the fail, and that can be fatal.

But there are a few precautions you can make:

• Use an external controller together with temperature controlled heater. It's unlikely that both fail at the same time.
• Use two heaters instead of one, but choose the wattage of each low enough that one isn't able to heat the tank to lethal temperatures.
• Don't use heaters if you don't have to. Pumps and lights increase the temperature. Heat the room instead.

I have, and do use two heaters on some tanks, just never did it on this one. It's an unusual size of tank - 57" X 17" X 15", so using the inside dimensions, about 60 USG. It looks like a good DIY job. The temperature in my cave dips a bit at night, but I keep it at a nice, comfy 22.5 degrees most of the day. The Rena that's in there is 200W and has never had a problem maintaining 78F, obviously. So, what would be a good duo here, 2 X 100W, or 2 X 150W? If a 150W stuck on, could it overheat a 60g tank?

[Saltcreep]

I clicked on the heater i wanted and went to "check out"...it asked what country and PC then it asks you what kind of shipping you want. There are only 2 choices for canada. I choose the cheaper and the prices came up. the heater was $26 something and the shipping was $24.95

Thanks, and OUCH!!

I didn't bother going through the checkout. I'll bet a lot of people back out right there. So there was no option for USPS shipping?

[fischkopp]

I have, and do use two heaters on some tanks, just never did it on this one. It's an unusual size of tank - 57" X 17" X 15", so using the inside dimensions, about 60 USG. It looks like a good DIY job. The temperature in my cave dips a bit at night, but I keep it at a nice, comfy 22.5 degrees most of the day. The Rena that's in there is 200W and has never had a problem maintaining 78F, obviously. So, what would be a good duo here, 2 X 100W, or 2 X 150W? If a 150W stuck on, could it overheat a 60g tank?

2x 100W, possibly 2x 75W or less is sufficient. It depends on the min-max room temperature and the temperature in your tank that you try to maintain, and also if you are allowing nightly temperature drops by a degree or two, and if/how well you isolated and covered the tank.

[cdylnicki]

Both Stelth heaters I have tried overheated.  One was for a 40 gallon, the other was for a 10 gallon.  I do not recommend going with them.