Root heaters

[Rodders]

I've been looking at these for my new tank.
Do they need to plug into a thermostate control box to keep them at temp or can they just be plugged in.

Cause your looking at £50 for cable

Then £200+ for controller box, but i think you can use this to control water heaters too. (been looking at Dennerle)

Ideally i just want a cable into a mains plug.

Thanks

 

[George Farmer]

I too have a Juwel Rio 125. I run a Rena Cor 25W heater cable - about £25, Google it for best price. You will need extra suction caps though - about 8 more. I use the cheap airline ones.

I used to run it on a timer attached to the lights and it worked fine - only a minor temp. increase through the day - probably similar to nature. You could switch it manually but it would be a pain. Plug-in timers are very cheap (£2.79 from Morrisons or £4 for 2).

Now I use a DIY thermostat and it is my main heat source. Check out the link - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...ndpost&p=874107

The whole set-up performs in a very similar way to the Dennerle but at about 10% of the cost.

 

[Lateral Line]

Most of the planted tank gurus will cringe when I say that I've never found substrate heating makes any difference. I've read the theories, and the product blurbs. I have used Ultratherm under tank pads and Dennerle in substrate cables. Neither seemed to have a noticeable effect for me.

 

[zig]

Most of the planted tank gurus will cringe when I say that I've never found substrate heating makes any difference. I've read the theories, and the product blurbs. I have used Ultratherm under tank pads and Dennerle in substrate cables. Neither seemed to have a noticeable effect for me.

[snapback]895819[/snapback]​

I think the people that will cringe are the people that make and sell them, personally i dont use one, and from what i have read i will probably never need one, but others swear by them especially the manufacturers.

I'll have to try one some day to see if they really make any visable difference.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

A complete waste of money IMO. I have 14 planted tanks and not one has them and I have more plants than i know what to do with. The money would be much better spent on pressurized co2.

 

[George Farmer]

I turned my cable off for 2 weeks during some warm weather and the Sag growth was noticeably slower. All other variables were constant (including temp).

When I turned it back on their was was a noticeable growth spurt with runners being sent all over.

I agree that they are by no means essential - just helpful IME. I also do not beleive they are helpful enough though to justisfy the price tag that Dennerle charge.

Guys - You may find this interesting if you havn't read it already
http/aquaticconcepts.thekrib.com/Article...M_Substrate.htm

 

[Rodders]

For the large tank im buying 145 Uk G, it costs about £80 for the cable. So maybe its better spent else where.
Im getting a CO2 system for it, so I think I wont worry about the cable. Thing is, its not something you can add later on easily.

CO2 will provide me with sufficient growth I feel.

Cheers

 

[Tiggs]

i just sold mine on ebay for £5.......get a 2nd hand one- for £5 who cares if it doesnt work!

 

[Rodders]

Was it enough to fill a 6 foot tank?

 

[Tiggs]

Was it enough to fill a 6 foot tank?

[snapback]899184[/snapback]​

it was in a 350 litre tank and was a bit big for that - just right for a 6ft tank (unless it was also 6ft wide!)