External Heaters? Any Experiences?

[iankent]

I'm looking to get rid of as much of the internal equipment on my aquarium as possible, and just come across the Hydor External Heater info here

anyone got any experience of these (or any similar external heater?) are they easy to fit? it says it attaches to the filter piping, does it need any modifications or does it just slide over the pipe? and are they good at maintaining temp?

 

[england]

http/www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?I...18&SID=NXTG
found this it does sound good but sounds like you need an exsternal filter

http/www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/...ead.php?p=36957

 

[iankent]

<a href="http/www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?I...18&SID=NXTG" target="_blank">http/www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?I...18&SID=NXTG</a>
found this it does sound good but sounds like you need an exsternal filter

<a href="http/www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/...ead.php?p=36957" target="_blank">http/www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/...ead.php?p=36957</a>

as it happens, I changed to an external filter yesterday, so the piping etc. is already there - was just wondering if anyone knew how well they worked etc., or whether they end up broken in a few weeks?!

will keep searching for reviews etc.

edit - just found this post sounds like they work pretty well!

thanks

 

[rabbut]

They are supposed to be good, and I've just ordered one. Will let you know what I think after I've recived it, but I obviously won't be able to say how reliable they are for a few months at least.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[BINKSY]

I have the 300 watt model and its been running on my tank nearly 18 months now, It has been very reliable.
I have an eheim external with 16/22mm piping which fitted straight on to the heater.


Cheers Gordon

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah we've got one running, it's been set up probably 18 months and we've not had a minute's bother with it. the fittings are usually fairly standard and will fit most common makes of external filter

 

[iankent]

thanks all sounds good, would love to take that ugly heater out are there any other makes worth considering, or are hydor the ones who make it? (the only external heater I can find any mention of is the hydor one!)

when you say it fits onto the heater, does the heater slide over the pipe entirely, or does it go between the pipe and the filter?

 

[rabbut]

You find the point of installation in your pipe. Drain the water from your pipe (where applicable) and then cut the pipe. You push the heater connector over one of the two cut ends, and screw down a locking bolt to ensure it doesn't slip off again. You then repeat for the other side. You then have a length of pipe attached to each end of the heater, with it operating as an additional lenght of pipe in effect, arround which is a heating element to heat the water

All the best
Rabbut

 

[BINKSY]

Hydor are the only make of external heaters on the market as far as im aware.

Cheers Gordon

 

[bobross]

I too was thinking about getting one of these for my 55 for my xp2. I was thinking about Rena's smart heater as another option. Do these slow down the output of your filter? Whether an hob filter or canister. I guess the question can pertain to either type of filter.


BobRoss

 

[iankent]

Rabbut - has yours arrived now? Whats your opinion of it, and does it keep a steady water temp?

thanks

 

[poconoboss]

I have the 300 watt one for my 85.

It works AWESOME!! Keeps the temp EXACTLY the same ALL the time, down to the 1/10th of a degree.

NOTE: Be sure to unplug it while doing maintenance and if you have your filter off, it will burn out without water travelling through it.

Best piece of equipment I ever bought!

 

[iankent]

I have the 300 watt one for my 85.

It works AWESOME!! Keeps the temp EXACTLY the same ALL the time, down to the 1/10th of a degree.

NOTE: Be sure to unplug it while doing maintenance and if you have your filter off, it will burn out without water travelling through it.

Best piece of equipment I ever bought!

thanks guess that's my next purchase then, get that horrible heater out of the tank

 

[rabbut]

Aye, it arrived, about a week ago. Easy to install and is working a treat, maintaining water temp perfectly. Doubt it would burn out if left on during mantanace, as it says in the manual that it self limits during times of low flow and automaticaly switches itself off when there is no water present

Nice, though rather bulky, pice of gear. Bulk won't matter though, as you won't see it in the cabinet

All the best

 

[bobross]

Do they effect the flow on your filter?

BobRoss