Heater Choices??

fshfanatic

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Apr 7, 2006
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Mike
I have had great luck with the Ebo-Jager heaters. I've found them to be very accurate (you can calibrate them, unlike most other heaters) and reliable. I kept and raised clownfish as part of my undergraduate thesis, and after several of the aquarium heaters in our lab either just stopped working or tried to fry my fish I started doing some research online. It seemed that the majority of people absolutely loved the Ebo-Jagers. Some said theirs had been running for 15+ years! And they are much less expensive than many other options out there. For your 150 gal tank, you would need a 250-300 watt EJ, which would cost around $30-35. The only drawback to the EJs is that they are a bit longer than other heaters. But I have used them for a couple of years now and love them.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23726
 
Ebo Jaegers were wonderful heaters. I have a 150W that I bought new in 1981 that's been in almost continuous use since then and it still works perfectly. But Ebo no longer makes them. The Jaeger heater is now made by Eheim and had a reputation as solid as the Ebo unit's, at least while they were being made in Germany. Current production is made you know where and there have been grumblings lately, although I have no personal experience with the Chinese made units. I socked away a few of the German made Eheims when I heard about the switch.
 
I run a Titanium heater on my 125g. It's not exactly like that one but very similar. I've had it for about 6 years and love it. I've never had a problem one with it and it does a good job of keeping and holding the temperature and the heat is very even through the tank. I like that you can control the temp outside of the tank and do not have to put your hands in tank to change it. I went to a titanium because I had some pretty big fish in the tank at the time and worried they would crack glass housed ones. I do have some of the older EJ that I used on smaller tanks and never had issues with them either.

As SubRosa said, I've also heard the EJ are not quite as reliable now as they once were due to changes in manufacturing.
 
Another Eheim Jaeger plug here too. I believe they are still German made, though not 100% positive. Just bought one for a new settup and threw the box away already. Most titaniums are pretty solid, but only as solid as the controller running them. With that in mind, I think you won't find too many people recommending Catalina products. I've run Blue-line titanium tubes for several years now without issues, and EJ's where tubes don't fit the settup. Threw away all my glass tubes years ago.
If you need 500W, consider running two 250's. The chances of both being going haywire in the same direction (too hot or off) are in your favor, and should prevent a catastrophe. Nothing is foolproof, but this helps your odds quite a bit. I wish I had a nickel for every heater-failure story I've read.
 
Well if you are only going to have 1 heater in the tank. I think that is a bad ideal so if 500w is what you want then I would do 2 250w. Now for heaters I am diehard Visi therm and Eheim. I also like Aquaen heaters they seem to work very well.
 
I literally just got a Jager heater (150w) from thatpetplace.com a few days ago and it says on the front of the box "Made in Germany" so either they are still made in germany, or this is an old one that's been sitting around in a warehouse for a while.
 
I am also considering the the hydor ETH In-line 300 watt heater and putting it on the Eheim 2217

Ive owned the Hydor ETH inline for over a month now so I can't speak on its longevity. However, it's pin point accurate and keeps my tank at 78. Plus it's nice that I never have to see it in my tank. Definitely happy with the purchase.


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