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Post by Emerson on Oct 4, 2003 8:06:47 GMT -5
Okay, I've finally decided to chuck the crappy Hagen over-the-tank heaters and the Junior Heater, and go with the real deal. This constantly checking and adjusting is just too much work now that I have three (yikes! how did that happen?) tanks.
I have been out on the web looking for the Visi-Therm submersible, but either can't find it in 25-watts OR finding it very pricey to order three. I couldn't find one under $20, not including shipping.
Is there any other brand that is highly recommended here? Or should I just bite the bullet and make the investment? I suppose I could order one at a time... (ah, patience! I've heard of that! LOL).
Thanks!
sef
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Post by BettaBGood on Oct 4, 2003 12:03:21 GMT -5
sef, I couldn't find the Visitherm 25W for <$20, either. My lfs sells it for $28.95  (And I needed six heaters!) Anyway, I ordered what I think is the next best thing, Hagen's 25W, fully submersible, from DrsFS @$11.49 ea. They have a dial adjustment for temp control & pilot light indicator. Temps are holding steady at 79 degrees on my in-tank thermometers (and have been for 10 days). For the price, I'm pleased. Hmmm. Now if I can just figure out how to do a full water change & maintain the water temp. Any suggestions? |
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Post by Emerson on Oct 4, 2003 13:58:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. How big a tank are you doing a full water change on? Is it cycled? I've found that I can unplug the heater, do a partial water change on Napoleon's 5 gallon, clean the gravel, wipe off the crud, rinse the filter and move stuff around, plug the heater back in, and the tank only loses about a degree or two at the most by the time I get everything back up and running. That's not bad. Does the Hagen submersible actually allow you to set the temperature that you want? Or do you have to wait until the desired temp is reached, and then turn off the pilot light? I am convinced that submersibles are MUCH more accurate. Oddly, my little "Junior" submersible heater keeps the tank warmer and more consistent than either of the Hagen over-the-top heaters that I have -- and it has no thermostat control whatsoever!  Go figure. |
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Post by mickey85 on Oct 4, 2003 14:04:18 GMT -5
Petsmart sells heaters pretty cheap. I got 3 for my 2.5 gallon tanks for 6 bucks a piece. They had 25 watt ones for 15 dollars and they had a temp specific rheostat on the top (says the temp numbers, set it at 78 and you're done), but the ones I got have just the Hot/Cold rheostat. They haven't come yet, so I can't really comment on them
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Post by jedicat on Oct 4, 2003 14:20:15 GMT -5
i actually had a question about heaters. i'm going to be setting up a 10-gallon for wedge, and so i'm buying all the parts little by little, so the cost doesn't overwhelm me. i bought the heater yesterday. it's hagen's 50W compact pre-set thermal submersible heater. it's one of the types where you can pre-set the temperature. i bought it because of that, and because i recognized the brand name. i was wondering if anyone else has used this model and what they thought of it.
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Post by Betta MVP on Oct 4, 2003 14:25:55 GMT -5
I just ordered one of the Hagen 25 watt submersible heaters from Drs Foster & Smith. I haven't gotten it yet, but good to hear that you like yours BBG. I normally always buy the Ebo Jager but they only come in 50 watt or higher and I needed one for 2.5 gallons too.
sef,
I think the submersible heaters are more accurate because they aren't effected by any fluctuations in the air temp causing them to cut on and off when it isn't necessary.
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Post by Emerson on Oct 4, 2003 15:29:18 GMT -5
sef, I think the submersible heaters are more accurate because they aren't effected by any fluctuations in the air temp causing them to cut on and off when it isn't necessary. Exactly. And the great part about the submersibles (besides accuracy), is that you can mount them down low in case you need to drop the water level. BTW, does the Hagen submersible come with suction cups to mount, or do you need to buy them separately? sef |
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Megan
Junior Bubble Nester
"Golden Pearl" Plakat
Posts: 158
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Post by Megan on Oct 4, 2003 16:14:25 GMT -5
I have heard from others that the Hagen heaters are pretty good.
I've always had very good luck with both Visitherms and Tronic heaters.
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Post by Emerson on Oct 5, 2003 8:43:33 GMT -5
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Post by mickey on Oct 5, 2003 23:30:47 GMT -5
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Post by BettaBGood on Oct 6, 2003 9:07:36 GMT -5
sef,
Yes, the Hagen 25W submersible comes w/ a nice suction cup bracket. It's not preset, but you can't necessarily "dial-a-temp," either. It has a pilot light mechanism & a dial adjustment (-/+) that you need to tweek to desired temp. As conscientious as you are, though, you'll be watching your thermometers like a hawk (no offense, because I'm the same way) & the initial adjustments will become second nature.
I did full water changes on my (6) 2.5's (not cycled) this past weekend. (I did them in pairs - dishing two boys at a time in bowls, & placing on a low-set, waterproof heating pad - are they spoiled or what!?) I actually ran tap to what felt like the right temp, added my salt, Amquel+ & NovAqua'd, checked w/thermometer while I cleaned the 2.5, refilled w/the clean water, turned on the heater while I cleaned the next tank, checked temp again, and plopped him in! Temps are holding at 78/79 & the guys are loving it!
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Post by Emerson on Oct 8, 2003 11:23:15 GMT -5
My local LFS manager told me that I could use a 50-watt submersible in my 2.5 gallon tank. I hated to argue with him, but that seems like a lot of wattage for such a small tank!
Opinion?
sef
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Post by Betta MVP on Oct 8, 2003 12:38:13 GMT -5
sef,
I do use a 50 watt heater in my spawning tank which is only filled half full so it has about 2.5 gallons in it. I've actually had it set up for months with this amount of water and the heat stays pretty constant in it, of course I do fill it up all the way once I have fry in there. I have an Ego Jager submersible heater in it, these are great heaters and I trust them more than any others I have had.
I still think a 25 watt heater would be better for a 2.5 gallon tank though. You don't need so much power, plus the 25 watt heater is smaller so it doesn't take up so much space.
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Post by BettaBGood on Oct 9, 2003 12:27:42 GMT -5
Hi, sef
What heater did you go with?
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Post by Emerson on Oct 11, 2003 20:26:56 GMT -5
I went with the Hagen 25-watt compact/mini-submersible. It is the temp. adjustable model. It took me two days to figure out how to use this thing. The reason is that the temperature adjustment knob doesn't work the same way as my over-the-tank models. It is covered with a flexible rubber sheath to keep the water out, and you have to really work at it to get it to turn one way or the other. Once you get the hang of this, it's not complicated...just takes some practice. The other thing that takes some getting used to, is that the direction to increase and decrease the temp. is opposite of the over-the-tank model.  I like the look of the heater. It's small and unobtrusive. It's too early to tell yet how accurate it is or how well it holds the temp, but I'm hoping it will be a lot better than the Junior Heater that I had in the tank, which kept over-heating. sef |
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(And I needed six heaters!) Anyway, I ordered what I think is the next best thing, Hagen's 25W, fully submersible, from DrsFS @$11.49 ea. They have a dial adjustment for temp control & pilot light indicator. Temps are holding steady at 79 degrees on my in-tank thermometers (and have been for 10 days). For the price, I'm pleased.
