Temp drops
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Coral reefer
Past President
If those things actually are accurate and last, not to mention the small size, they are defintely worth it. Time will tell. How long have you had it rich?
aqua-nut
Supporting Member
Sometimes. Unless UPS looses it!
If you do pay for it you will most likely get 'it' but is 'it' worth it?
How long have you used these? I'm not trying to be argumentative, just getting some data and being skeptical.
I think the hardest thing for a consumer is determining if the price really reflects quality or is it just hype. The Cobalt is small, plastic and sexy. Is it more reliable than a heater less than half it's price? I don't know.
I've used Ebo-Jäger - now Eheim-Jäger - for years. Mostly dependable. I have a couple that have been in service continuously for more than 10 years. Some have failed after 2-3 years. I wish they weren't glass and so big. Other than that, I'm happy with them.
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
Rich
Thanks for the product recommendation.
Do you use them at work (are they authorized)?
I've added a space heater to one of my sheds during this cold snap.
Thanks for the product recommendation.
Do you use them at work (are they authorized)?
I've added a space heater to one of my sheds during this cold snap.
rygh
Guest
Funny timing : My water suddenly started to drop yesterday. Down to 75 degrees.
Turns out two (out of 3) of my heaters were dead.
Likely one died a while ago, but two were enough to keep it warm.
I had a spare on my QT, so not problems, but need to buy some new ones.
Did some more research on these Neo-Therm heaters, since they look pretty nice.
Lots of very good reviews. But a few common issues:
1) Quite a few bad reports on the 200W version, and it seems to have been recalled.
None for sale. And that is unfortunately the size I need.
On the plus side, the fact that they recalled them is a really good sign. Most would simply sell them anyway.
2) They are supposedly glass inside the plastic, and the glass can break.
While the plastic can contain the glass from going everywhere, you can get a nasty shock.
3) While the sensor may be accurate to 0.5-deg, you can only set it in 2 degree increments.
Rather strange. Although my master control is my main fish controller, so no real issue.
4) Like all heaters, it seems they can fail stuck-ON.
No idea how often that happens though, or if better or worse than others.
Not sure what I will buy now.
Turns out two (out of 3) of my heaters were dead.
Likely one died a while ago, but two were enough to keep it warm.
I had a spare on my QT, so not problems, but need to buy some new ones.
Did some more research on these Neo-Therm heaters, since they look pretty nice.
Lots of very good reviews. But a few common issues:
1) Quite a few bad reports on the 200W version, and it seems to have been recalled.
None for sale. And that is unfortunately the size I need.
On the plus side, the fact that they recalled them is a really good sign. Most would simply sell them anyway.
2) They are supposedly glass inside the plastic, and the glass can break.
While the plastic can contain the glass from going everywhere, you can get a nasty shock.
3) While the sensor may be accurate to 0.5-deg, you can only set it in 2 degree increments.
Rather strange. Although my master control is my main fish controller, so no real issue.
4) Like all heaters, it seems they can fail stuck-ON.
No idea how often that happens though, or if better or worse than others.
Not sure what I will buy now.
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
Mark
Thanks for the research
Tagging along to see which brand people lean toward.
But back to Mark's failure issue, a controller with multiple heaters is the premium way to go.
Thanks for the research
Tagging along to see which brand people lean toward.
But back to Mark's failure issue, a controller with multiple heaters is the premium way to go.
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
I current use same brands as above
I have become suspect of the thermostat in submersible heaters...all of them.
Whenever possible, I use an external controller: aqualogic or ranco
I have become suspect of the thermostat in submersible heaters...all of them.
Whenever possible, I use an external controller: aqualogic or ranco
rygh
Guest
Yes, that is what I do as well.
It obviously does not cure the problem of getting too cold if a heater fails OFF, but it does warn you.
The slight downside though: You are turning the main power on/off to the entire heater device.
Depending on heater design, that can affect longevity of the heater thermostat electronics.
aqua-nut
Supporting Member
Pretty much the same setup here. I have had my Apex go nuts (only when I'm out of town!) but with the heaters set just slightly higher that my usual max, beasties just got a little tropical vacation!
Since the heater's t-stat never goes thru the on-off cycle and arcing, I'm hoping the 'stuck on' failure is reduced. I also use two heaters sized so one cannot cook the tank.
jonmos75
Supporting Member
True, but that is what redundancy is for having a heater plugged into the wall not the Apex and have it set to a lower setting so If the first (Main) heater fails the secondary heater can supplement the duties...
aqua-nut
Supporting Member
I could see that as a problem. I use the Eheim-Jäger heaters. Hoping their t-stat is old school.
BAYMAC
Supporting Member
You get what you pay for. Most cheap heaters are crap. It seems crazy to me that people will spend thousands and thousands on their tanks, but want cheap heaters.
We run those in our test systems at Reed, recommend them to larval customers and rotifer customers. Been flawless for us, love those heaters. Cobalt has some interesting products.
BAYMAC
Supporting Member
You should be suspect of all thermostats in submersible heaters. and darn tooting use an external controller. I started doing that 20 years ago for all my aquariums and never looked back.
Marc
Guest
