Heater, Frustrating Task

[nwieczorek]

I was wondering what type of heaters people are using now a days? I have been doing research and most heaters, that I have found, have about half the reviews great, and the other half crap. I need a heater for a 75 gallon Reef that I will be starting up soon.

Thank you,
Nathan

[okcChief]

Nathen,

On my previous setup I went with a JBJ true temp controller with a Finnex submersible heater. I've seen too tanks get over cooked because of a malfunctioning heater. Always placed the heater in the sump and the monitor in the tank to get a more accurate reading.

James

[MadCityReefer]

Always have a fail safe and use a separate thermostat just in case the first one fails

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 4

[Rueg]

You can't trust the thermostat on heaters. Have had them fail and the temp plummet during the winter and then also get stuck on and try to cook the tank. I try to have a controller of some type. I know it adds quite a bit to the budget, but worth it in the long run. A good heater controller is expensive to the point where you may as well spend the extra money and get a controller that is more flexible and worth the cost. For $120 you can get a Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper lite: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefkeepe ... atics.html
Of course there are many other choices as far as controllers. I have also been trying to stick with Eheim heaters - they seem to be a little more reliable - but also larger and harder to fit.

[okcChief]

If you add up the cost of timers, power bars, and separate monitors, the reef keeper lite is actually less expensive and provides move services. I know it kind of sucks to have to put that much money into equipment, but if you think of how much you've invested in livestock it's well worth it.

[MadCityReefer]

I think the Neptune Apex is better IMO, only because I have had both the Reef Keeper Elite w/net and the full Neptune Apex. I sold my ReefKeeper for the Apex. It was much easier to set up and user friendly and customer service from what I hear is above and beyond Digital Aquatics. Apex Jr is a $100 more then the ReefKeeper lite thou. So if your only planning to use this as a thermostat then the ReefKeeper is the way to go price wise.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_Syst ... MI-vi.html