Deleatidium Posted May 19, 2002 Report Share Posted May 19, 2002 How long do people expect aquarium heaters to last? Should an expensive heater last longer than a cheaper one? What are your experiences along these lines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted May 19, 2002 Report Share Posted May 19, 2002 I would expect a heater to last at least 10 years. The heaterstats we have used have lasted quite a few years. If they are going to die they seem to do so within 1 to 2 years or keep going and going and going... We have an undertank home-built heat pad with a thermostat which has been going about 10 years now with no problem. The only other tank I have running has a heaterstat which must be at least 10 years old. I doubt dearer ones last longer than cheaper versions. Indeed, the dearer ones can sometimes be so full of fancy circuitry there is more in them to go wrong! Our heaterstats have all been run in a well insulated house so perhaps that makes a difference to their lifespan as they don't have to work so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 19, 2002 Report Share Posted May 19, 2002 Most people seem to recommend replacing them every year or two. I don't think I would that often, they're pretty expensive. But I wouldn't want to go too long, too much at risk if they do fail and stick on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted May 19, 2002 Report Share Posted May 19, 2002 We are talking here about the cost of a heater against the cost of a tank full of fish. Is it really worth the risk relying on a heater that has worked for several years, or the thermostat for that matter, which can stick and practicaly boil your fish, which happened to me on one occasion. Small low wattage heaters have to work twice as hard as bigger heaters to maintain an even temperature and therefor are on longer than a large one, so fitting a small heater in the hope of saving costs is foolish. With the cold weather and sudden drops in temperature it doesn't take long for the temperature to drop in a tank if the heater fails. In England during the winter months we used to cover our tanks overnight with old blankets to keep the heat in just in case there was a power failure (which occasionally could last for several hours) or a sharp drop in temperature. On tanks where the back and sides were not showing we would attach polystyrene sheets to conserve heat and reduce power costs. In any event, it pays to have a heater and stat on hand, as procuring one in a rush could be a problem. Regards Pegasus (Bill) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Virgil Posted May 20, 2002 Report Share Posted May 20, 2002 The biggest problem with most heaters on the market is the contacts that open and close to apply power to the heater element. Since these contacts handle a fair bit of power, they tend to arc when making contact. Over time these contacts become pitted and at some point may weld themselves together when they arc which causes your heater to stick in the on postion. The obvious result is poached fish. All my heaters have been modified to add a triac to the heater circuitry. With the triac installed, the contacts are only used to turn the triac on and off with very little power, which means no arcing. The power to the heater element is handled by the triac. No high power to the contacts means no arcing, which means no contacts welded closed. The plans for this modification can be found in FAMA's For What Its Worth - Volume 1. Virgil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleatidium Posted May 20, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2002 A few days ago my less than a year old Jager 50 watt heater that cost $60 and was heating a 30 L tank stopped going. On closer inspection the element had blown. Luckily only two guppies in tank at time. One died and the other now looks much happier in my 150 L tank. I am not impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 There should be a warranty on the heater, 12 months from memory Take it back to the store you purchased it from, if you dont have any luck there send Brooklands an Email... The should stand by what is reputed to be THE BEST heater on the market today Cheers /Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boban_nz Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 Man, I hope that website is just a beta test, cause I would never buy or put much faith into a website with that many spelling errors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boban_nz Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 Added your link to the "Useful Links" Boban. Must have overlooked it first time around. Your remarks are uncalled for Ira and upon viewing the said site, yes, there are a few spelling mistakes, but the information given is basically sound. We all make typing errors, and there are many on these boards, but remarks of this nature about companies that rely on aquarists for their living are not needed on this forum. Man, I hope that website is just a beta test, cause I would never buy or put much faith into a website with that many spelling errors. This will probably cause another long discussion, but I feel as moderator of this section that you should either edit or remove your post, preferrably the latter. Regards Pegasus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 I'm sorry. In the future I will refrain from giving my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 You have done nothing to offend me so no apology is needed, and your "Opinions" as you put it are most welcome and valued to us all as long as they don't affect the livelyhood of a company like Brooklands or anyone else for that matter. Your "remarks" were of a harmful nature, and this is the reason I asked you to remove your post, and I will do the same with my posts. If you wish to continue this discussion please do so in the 2 hot to handle section as this is no place for a debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cees Posted May 21, 2002 Report Share Posted May 21, 2002 Hi Ira, If you would like test my work, each web page has the link at left bottom side "Validate Brooklands web site" to the W3.org. Try it. Anyway, FNZAS forum is not a web design forum. Welcom boban_nz, hope to see you here often. I couldn't resist the challenge http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http: ... as.org.nz/ http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/vali ... as.org.nz/ and you are right, let's talk about fish related things here. Cees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boban_nz Posted May 22, 2002 Report Share Posted May 22, 2002 Hi Cees, Nice work but one warning on css . Line 133 . In addition, NN4.xx has a problem width code color: transparent for a table and td. Better option is “color: inherit†Colour scroll+w3.org = sorry :-? Ok, I am going to visit web design forum now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cees Posted May 22, 2002 Report Share Posted May 22, 2002 Hi Cees, Ok, I am going to visit web design forum now. Thanks about the css warning and please do come back here after visiting the web design forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted May 27, 2002 Report Share Posted May 27, 2002 There is a brand of heater I've seen advertised in TFH that uses triacs. I don't know if it is available in NZ. Virgil is right about the triacs. We use a slight variation of the triac at my work and they are ultra reliable. It is a good way to majorly increase the reliable life of a heater. The only big problem is making sure you get the same water seal once the heater is reassembled. You don't want to mess with water and 230V, -oooh nasty. If anyone is interested in doing the mods, I can supply suitable triacs, - I'll even sell them to you at cost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleatidium Posted August 5, 2002 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Finally I got myself to Wellington and took my less than a year old blown 50watt Jager heater back to Animates. I had the receipt and got a new 100 watt replacement. The price of heaters in NZ is odd. There are hardly any cheap ones and the difference in cost of different wattages is minimal to non existent. They had 100 watt Jagers at Animates and I asked if I could have one of those. They said sure but you will have to pay the difference. Thing is, the price was the same as a Jager 50watt and the guy thought that was odd but it has always been like that when I have looked at heater prices. Is it best to buy the highest wattage heater that will fit in your tank or what? How many people have two heaters in their tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Some people say that you shouldn't get more wattage than you need in case the heater sticks on it won't cook your fish. I guess they think you should have just barely enough to keep the tank at temp. I figure you might as well get the biggest if they're the same price, get your moneys worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Hi Ira You said 'You might as well get your monies worth". I dont think that if a shop sells you a 1000W heater for the price of a 50W one you'll take it. Because IF the contacts fuse, you surely fry the fish. If you want reliability and safety, go for a quality electronics type. As Pegasus said, an expensive heater, even changed every few years is much cheaper and less traumatic than a tankful of dead fish. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Suppose I am a bit of a pessimist over the winter months as I run two heaters in my tanks, one set at 76-78f and the secondary one set at 72-74f in case the main heater fails. Suppose I'm taking the risk that they could both stick on full heat, but ....... Bill (Pegasus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted August 19, 2002 Report Share Posted August 19, 2002 Hi Bill Chances are 1 in 1000000 that BOTH heaters stick. It does not matter how many heaters you've got. The point is , one should carefully choose the wattage. If you would live in the tropics where the temperature would be constant, you'll get away with a low wattage type. What you have to consider is the tank capacity AND how many degrees you want the aquarium to be ABOVE the ambient room temperature. A 1000W thermostaticly controlled roomheater will adequatly heat up a small room, providet the initial temperature is not too low. At 0 degrees you'll never ever heat up the room. On the other hand, the same type of heater has 10000W and should the thermostat fail, then hello lobster. BFN Bill John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted August 28, 2002 Report Share Posted August 28, 2002 trendy pets in chch are selling aqua vita heaters for $30 for 300 watt ,200 watt $25 100 watt$20,the owner said they where a cheaper range.i have one titaium or is stainless steel,not sure which but its heats very well ,much better than glass ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted August 28, 2002 Report Share Posted August 28, 2002 Stainless would be better in Oscar Tanks where they keep breaking the heater! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 28, 2002 Report Share Posted August 28, 2002 Or in a tank with a lot of rocks. I've had them shift and break a heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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