So is the visi-therm heater the way to go? [Archive]

cichlidcichlid

08-05-2007, 12:41 PM

I need a heater for my newly setup 30gal!

Also what is the difference between the

Marineland® Visi-Therm® Stealth Submersible Aquarium Heaters

Visi-Therm® Deluxe Aquarium Heaters

besides the price difference?

Also would i over do it if i got the 250watt heater for a 30 gal?

The room it is in is very unstable and fluctuates!

So my though on it was if i get one that could handle more gallons an hour it work less and last longer as a result, am i right?

jm1212

08-05-2007, 12:55 PM

not much difference. the stealth ones seem to be more reliable though and can be concealed more easily be decor.

250W would probably be to much. 150W would probably be a better choice

beefsteak

08-05-2007, 12:59 PM

I'd go with Stealth.

Weezer

08-05-2007, 1:11 PM

We have an 200 watt {not visi therm} in our 29, any thing bigger would be over kill...........:)

cichlidcichlid

08-05-2007, 1:11 PM

so even if the room drops down to 40 in the winter it would still hold strong without burning it out?

Also there is a difference in the price but in the end i want to spend less money by buying the better one .

Weezer

08-05-2007, 1:13 PM

A 150 - 200 would be fine, to keep a stable temp.........:)

cichlidcichlid

08-05-2007, 1:18 PM

if i were to go for the cheaper one would it last do you think?

I read on a couple of forums where it lasted them 8 years.

Even though 71% liked the cheaper one vs. 90-95% liked the visi- therm.

It has the same name plus same company right?

Rbishop

08-05-2007, 1:23 PM

I believe the Stealth are the best...I hate the annoying light on the others, as do many of the fish I keep. They attack the heater when it goes on and off.

nickmcmechan

08-05-2007, 1:32 PM

heater too big = relay on thermostat not on enough = can stock open and not switch on when required
heater too small = relay on thermo on too much = can stick closed

need the right size, i would go for 1W per litre, but if need to keep tank warmer then add 50W...

so for a 30G = 120l = need 120W heater; go for a 150W, not bigger, not smaller

dwag88

08-05-2007, 2:50 PM

40 degrees is pretty chilly. if it does actually get that cold, you could drape blankets over it at night to keep the heater from having to work as hard.

wataugachicken

08-05-2007, 3:07 PM

i think if the room gets very cold and the heater can not keep up, it would be better to get two lower-wattage heaters rather than one high-watt heater. that way it works as a back-up system, neither one has to work very hard, and there is much less chance of heater failure leading to the tank freezing in the cold or overheating when the room is warmer.

loaches r cool

08-05-2007, 3:24 PM

Hmm, i think you might have some issues if the temp gets that low... you'll probably need a big heater, perhaps a 150W for normal temps and then when the temp starts to drop maybe an additional 250W in there... I'm not really sure though. Our house got down into the 40's once and our 40G tank dropped into the 50's (temp set at ~76). I cant remember what kind of heater I used though, thought it was a 150W cheapie. To be honest if your keeping any delicate fish you might need a good quality controller and some big heaters. maybe look at Jehmco http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Temperature_Controller/temperature_controller.html You probably will want to insulate at least the base and back of the tank too, and maybe close off the top so you dont get a lot of evap.

I assume this for tropical fish? Has anyone tried to heat a tropical tank with a room in the 40's? It'll probably cost a lot more in electricity too.

wataugachicken

08-05-2007, 3:30 PM

if it is possible to insulate the tank without making it a prblem to see the fish, i would do that as well as have a spare heater ready. you could simply get a big sheet of styrofoam from your local hardware store, paint it black or whatever other background color you want, and attach it to the back and sides of the tank to prevent heat loss.

nickmcmechan

08-05-2007, 3:32 PM

if the room gets cold, the most i would do is 2 x 100W at either end of the tank

Weezer

08-05-2007, 3:34 PM

Out of curiosity, why is it so cool in your home....? ........:)

wataugachicken

08-05-2007, 3:41 PM

probably the tank is in the basement

Weezer

08-05-2007, 3:51 PM

Humm ....:)

Jayhawk

08-05-2007, 4:09 PM

Slappy*McFish

08-05-2007, 4:15 PM

I use stealths in all my tanks.

cichlidcichlid

08-06-2007, 1:54 PM

well i do have a tank already setup for 2 years now with a 150watt heater in the same room.

So are the visi- therm delux worth it or with it die out quicker?

I don't like the fact of not having a light to tell me it is working, or to let me know if it is staying on to long!

cichlidcichlid

08-06-2007, 5:00 PM

bump

Rbishop

08-06-2007, 5:53 PM

I understand the concerns about the light. But just cause you see the light on or off, doesn't tell you how long it has been on or off.

Observation of a tank and it's conditions is key to a sucessful hobbyist.

I have too many heaters destroyed by large cichlids to dare the use of a lighted one.

cichlidcichlid

08-06-2007, 6:02 PM

well the african cichlids i have don't seem to mind!

Also if i stand there and watch the tank as i do everyday i will know if the light doesn't turn off and is over heating.

Weezer

08-06-2007, 6:05 PM

Our tanks are in the living room area, and we walk by them on a regular basis. all tanks have an digital thermometer on them and its just automatic now to glance at the temp when passing buy, its always with in a degree for reference..........:)

Rbishop

08-06-2007, 6:43 PM

well the african cichlids i have don't seem to mind!

Also if i stand there and watch the tank as i do everyday i will know if the light doesn't turn off and is over heating.

Hey, you asked for opinions..you got mine...:)

1boatnut

08-06-2007, 6:50 PM

I have a Visa Therm Stealth 300w in my 55 gallon. So far it has been ok.
I just purchased 2 Visa Therm Deluxe 200w for my 125 gallon. It seemed like I was having issues with the 125 in keeping the temp satble. As it turned out the thermometer I was using is off,after tested against 2 other digital thermometers.
I do have to admit I did get the Deluxe because I wanted the light. I actually might put the Stealth & the Deluxe in the 125 after I play around and observe the tank some more

Jayhawk

08-06-2007, 6:57 PM

I think my visi-therm deluxe is about 8 years old...

loaches r cool

08-06-2007, 7:08 PM

I have a Visa Therm Stealth 300w in my 55 gallon. So far it has been ok.

You might want to re check... they dont make 300W Stealths :grinno:

1boatnut

08-06-2007, 7:13 PM

You might want to re check... they dont make 300W Stealths :grinno:

Yea,its a 250

sandsifter

08-06-2007, 9:11 PM

cc back to the original ques. "I" would get a visi-deluxe 150 and set at desired temp and possibly another visi-deluxe 100 or 150cheapy to have in the tank set about 8 deg. cooler than your primary heater,Acting as a backup and helper heater in those cool temps. A tight lid on that tank will help alot. In my parents basement i had a 55gal and had a heat lamp below the tank on a timer on for a few hrs off for a few then back on. hat made a huge diff in my tank temps in the winter.
P.S. i agree with the members that LIKE to see a light it makes me feel good like all warm and fuzzy inside. no matter how much my digital thurmos cost me..

iamgroovy

08-06-2007, 9:29 PM

I'll be the one voice saying I don't like or trust the stealth heaters...but prefer the older visi-therm deluxes. I've had a stealth go bad (heater stuck on) but not a deluxe. Not having the light go on and off gives you one less clue the heater is perpetually on.

Eric

I've had two Stealths go bad on me and the third one has to be set at 75 to keep the tank at 81. I wont buy another one. I just bought a Theo. So far so good with this one. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11368&N=2004+113767

cichlidcichlid

08-07-2007, 1:00 PM

so would the delux work?

Or would i have probs with it?

I don't like ordering online because if there is any problems i want to be able to bring it back readily.

cichlidcichlid

08-07-2007, 2:10 PM

bump

joander123

08-07-2007, 2:18 PM

id go with a 200w stealth to be honest... or maybe a 150 at either end.

Normally i would say a 150 but if it does get that cold you may want more as a back-up.

I too would go with the stealths. I stupidly ordered a Jager heater, thinking its Ehiem! it has to be good..... i was wrong. Poor craftsmanship and its not even fully submersible, which is something i would like to have. I only own 1 stealth, but i favor it over all the rest of my heaters, and will be purchasing two 250 watt stealths to go in the sump of my 110g tank.

jtburf

08-07-2007, 2:23 PM

If you could afford it you might look into one of the Ebo-Jager they are built like tanks, and are pretty heavy, fully submersable HAVE a light, and are user freindly IMO.http://www.eheim.com/jager.htm
they ARE FULLY SUBMERSABLE.

Well thats just my two cents.

lovejonesx

08-07-2007, 3:04 PM

Had a couple of Visa-Therms gobad on me to tragic results. So now I have Ebo-Jager & I've had no problems.

lovejonesx

08-07-2007, 3:04 PM

Had a couple of Visa-Therms go bad on me to tragic results. So now I have Ebo-Jager & I've had no problems.

cichlidcichlid

08-07-2007, 3:31 PM

Well i thought i might try the visi-therm delux but m wondering if it will work out ok!

I talked wth my parrents and now i will have the room not go any lower than 65 during the winter, the agreed to leve the heater on for me.

Anyways would this heater work?

Also just wanted to let you know i only want to purchase from petsmart.

I've got a gift card to use up before i start going into my money.

cichlidcichlid

08-07-2007, 8:51 PM

Weezer

08-07-2007, 8:59 PM

Our tetra heater has about a 2.5 - 3 degree swing, we got it for free, so its on the shelf as a back up heater if needed.......:)

Jayhawk

08-07-2007, 9:18 PM

I have a theo and like it. Very sturdy heater.

galen

08-07-2007, 9:23 PM

i had a theo heater. ran for 2 years no problem and kept the water warm and temp stable. it was mostly black with a some silver and red, although most of that color faded over time as the water broke down the outside paint.

when i worked in a lfs, we had many heater on the tanks. the aquaclears were ok, but they broke easy. the visi therms were nice and many lasted a long time. they even held up well during tank cleanings when they were above the water line. the hang on ones broke alot.

just so you know about the tetra whisper submersibles, they have TWO lights- one red for when the heater was working and a green light for when the tank was at desired temp.

hth.

H3D

08-07-2007, 9:24 PM

Marineland Visi-Therm Stealth gets my vote!

12 Volt Man

08-07-2007, 9:26 PM

I use all Ebo Jagers.

they are still reliable and accurate (and have a light :)), despite what everyone says since Eheim bought them out :)

cichlidcichlid

08-07-2007, 10:03 PM

it is not a whisper heater.

It is made by tetra or hagen something like that.

Anyway this is confusing!

I think i will make another post with a poll and hope that i get some deffinite answers!

loaches r cool

08-07-2007, 10:25 PM

I went to petsmart today and they didn't have a delux so forget that!

They do how ever have the stealth which i don't know if i would get because of the fact that it has no light.

they have the theo and its 30 bucks!

Is it really worht the extra money?

They have a tetra one which i think i have already and it has been running for 1 and a half years now.

It is 20 bucks so am i really going to notice the difference or should i get te cheaper one?

your thoughts!

cichlidcichlid

I'd suggest to look online. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18534/cl0/heaterssubmersible?viewType=Category way bigger availabiltiy and better prices, although if your buying just a single heater and nothing else, I suppose shipping would balance out the savings, but still better selection. I dont really buy any equipment locally anymore, just fish and food really.