What's the most reliable small heater?

[Partially Submerged]

I just realized that my 4g pico is at 84 degrees. None of the inhabitants seem to mind (in fact, some of my LPS are literally basking), but that's way too much. I have two pumps, a 14W PAR30, a 3W PAR16, and a Hydor 50W in the tank. Ambient temperature is about 71.

 

I have never been particularly happy with the Hydors, but they are cheap and do the job. What bugs me is that they still come on from time to time even when their set temperature is exceeded. Now, I get that with the pumps, the lights, and the room temperature, the heater won't have to do much to get the water to 78, but why does it keep coming on when the temperature is reached?

 

Anyways, what's the most reliable small heater in your experience? Cobalt Mini Therm maybe?

[VW_TDI_02]

have you tried just adjusting it down however many degrees you want? Like if you want it at 78 then just drop the heater down 6 degrees from whatever you have it set right now. I pretty much never trust my heaters and have a separate thermometer to check my temperature. Currently using a SunSun heater in my reef tank.

[Partially Submerged]

Yes, it was at 75. I've dialed it down to 73ish now. SunSun makes heaters as well? I know their canister filters are pretty popular in FW. I might check out their heaters.

[VW_TDI_02]

I was surprised too. I picked up a simple 100 watt heater for dirt cheap. I've heard a lot of the same in regards to the canister filters. Personally I went with an Odyssea canister filter in my freshwater tank instead but they do come highly recommended. These also qualify for Prime which is great. Unfortunately the smallest size they have is a 100 watt.

 

http://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JRB-210-100-watt-Submersible-Heater/dp/B009BTMYH8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422763976&sr=8-1&keywords=sunsun+100+watt&pebp=1422764004202&peasin=B009BTMYH8

[RK_tek]

Heaters are rarely calibrated to their markings. A separate thermometer or a heater controller is necessary.

 

The jäger heaters seem to have a good reputation. I've had marine lands, hydor, and cobalt all explode or short out in the tank. I don't think there is such a thing as a reliable aquarium heater. I have one 150w that's everybit 15yrs old, but it takes about 4 degrees of temp swing to trigger it

[VW_TDI_02]

Oh, the Aqueon Pro are pretty solid and I like that they are plastic instead of glass.

[Partially Submerged]

Yeah, I was thinking about finally getting a controller, but I'd really like to keep the tank low tech. I'll probably try a Jager or a Cobalt. I might look into SunSun or Aqueon Pro as well.

 

Or I might not need a heater at all. I dialed mine way down last night. This morning, the temperature is still at 82...

 

I've had marine lands, hydor, and cobalt all explode or short out in the tank.

 

Seriously? Other than accuracy issues, I've never had any major problems with heaters. I've heard about the exploding Marineland Visitherm Stealth heaters. Was that the one that exploded?

[RK_tek]

[quote name="Partially Submerged"

 

Seriously? Other than accuracy issues, I've never had any major problems with heaters. I've heard about the exploding Marineland Visitherm Stealth heaters. Was that the one that exploded?

It was a marineland stealth. I've always had my heaters orientated properly and in areas of high flow so I don't know why I've had so many fail. My Cobalt Neotherm was a 200w that also had a recall.

[VW_TDI_02]

Well the majority of heaters are just a coil inside of a glass tube... Glass is a bit finicky when it comes to heating and cooling in that if you go quickly from one to the other, you risk shattering the glass. That's why they say to put the heater into the tank for half an hour before plugging it in. This way the glass has had time to slowly adjust to the temperature of the water. I've also heard people having their heaters break in their hands when they pull it out. Warm water and then exposing it to chilly air could cause it to crack and shatter.