Best Aquarium Heaters?

[hollyp0p]

I currently have a little ich problem in my tank and i am treating with salt and heat....trouble is my 50W heater only takes temp to 26 degrees celcius....and I need it to go up to 29.9 degrees C.
My tank is 55 litres......I think I need a 100W heater.....anybody recommend any good brands....my tank is juwel but i see their heaters are rather expensive.....any alternatives

 

[Aussie_Dog]

I've only heard good things from Fluval, so my first tank has one of those, and it seems to be working quite well (for the cycling stage, I have my temp up to 90). I'm not sure that helps in the expense catagory, but as one person said, when it comes to heaters, you shouldn't go cheap.

 

[hollyp0p]

I've only heard good things from Fluval, so my first tank has one of those, and it seems to be working quite well (for the cycling stage, I have my temp up to 90). I'm not sure that helps in the expense catagory, but as one person said, when it comes to heaters, you shouldn't go cheap.

fluval seem pretty reasonable on price where i work...so that's cool
are they a thermostat heater (can you set a specific temp??)

 

[SJ2K]

I can second the notion that juwel heaters are naff, mine will only go up to around 27 on a warm day

 

[hollyp0p]

I can second the notion that juwel heaters are naff, mine will only go up to around 27 on a warm day

I've just read a suggestion chart on tank size and heater size....and it seems juwel skank out....my tank based on size SHOULD have a 100W heater....not a 50W.....bastards!

I think I'll sell my juwel heater on ebay and go for the fluval, which seems more expensive online than in work .....i think....funny seeing as my work are renowned for adding at least 50% to the price of something.......pffffft!

 

[Fredox]

I've been using Visitherm for a while now and don't have any complaints. As for price a random search just turned up a price £22 for a 300 watt heater.

 

[Will91]

The MarineLand Visitherm Stealth does have a very good reputation. It is ceramic so no glass tube than can break. I have read that it maintains temp to +/- 1 degree. The only problem I would have with buying this heater is that there is no indicator light and I like knowing when the heater is on or off. However, Marineland just came out with the Visitherm Deluxe which is a standard glass heater, has an indicator light, and still maintains the same specifications. I just ordered a 100W on line for 14 USD.

 

[Aussie_Dog]

are they a thermostat heater (can you set a specific temp??)

Yep, it has a dial so you can set a specific temp. I found, though, that where it is in the tank makes a difference. I first had it at one end of the tank and my filter at the other end (it's a 60 gal tank), and the temperature stayed at around 83 (was driving me nuts, as I wanted it at 90). So I decided to try moving the heater right next to the filter and lo and behold, the temp decided to go straight up to 90 (my thermometre is and was on the wall across from where the heater originally was, which means right now it's at the opposite end of the tank of the heater and filter). I'm not sure how that works, since if you leave everything long enough, wouldn't the whole bunch of water eventually reach a stable temperature? Does it REALLY matter if a filter is pushing water around to distribute it?

 

[hollyp0p]

well providing the heater won't be too long....the juwel filter has a space within its box for the heater which is a nice idea and keeps fish safe too.....so i will put the new one where my current one is, blows the heat well then

 

[hollyp0p]

right was wrong abount price and for my low pay month i couldn't really afford the fluval....I have an interpet thermostat heater.....which has warmed it up nicely.....bit hotter than what i set it to do, but probably just cos it's new and needed to settle in.....but least I can get it to the temp i need!

 

[mark.w.jones]

The Visatherm ones are all I've ever used and have come up tops in many reviews I read before buying.

 

[backtotropical]

The new Rena Smart Heater gets a good write up. A breakthrough in heater technology to say the least!

 

[SJ2K]

Surely a heater with a thermostat keeping the temp constantly at 26 is a bad thing? What if you need to up the temperature to treat illness? Or lower it for new, less heat tolerant tank mates?

 

[hollyp0p]

Surely a heater with a thermostat keeping the temp constantly at 26 is a bad thing? What if you need to up the temperature to treat illness? Or lower it for new, less heat tolerant tank mates?

the one i have you can set it to any temp between 21 and 38 or something....so you can change it....which is why i needed a new one....to treat ich!

 

[SJ2K]

Thats alright then would be a bit of a design floor otherwise.