japes Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Hey guys, Well winters almost here and that means your heaters are going to be working overtime, mine certainly was. I heard a bit of a bang early Monday night and didn't think much of it, checked that my tank wasn't spewing out water or my sump hadn't broken, as you do when you're a paranoid freak with 600L of water in your bedroom, sure enough all was well. Heard a click sound, which is generally my heater turning off, at about 1am Tuesday night, was cold and my window was open, so I was curious as to what it was, my heater really wasn't big enough for my tank so I was curious as this is my first Winter with the larger tank so I want to keep a keen eye on temperatures to make sure all was well. Checked my tank temperature with a torch and it was sitting on about 23, and it should be 26. Checked the heater in my sump and noticed a large crack through it. Thankfully, even though I was awoken mid slumber, I was smart enough to unplug it before going hands on into the water to retrieve this thing. I was running an AquaOne 200W Heater, was being the keyword, as the entire top half of it was a burnt black colour, and the glass had essentially split in half with a few other cracks here and there, like it had exploded. Thankfully, nothing leaked, I didn't get electrocuted, had a backup (100W lol) heater for the night, and all of my fishy friends are fine. I don't have photos unfortunately and it's already in the bin. Don't cheap out on heaters! I know AquaOne is actually quite decent but it isn't worth the risk. I was lucky enough to get a non-lethal warning this time, but the amount of stories I've read about peoples heaters either failing by not turning on, or worst case, not turning off, and losing thousands of dollars worth of fish are heartbreaking. I'll be picking up an Eheim Jager 300W tomorrow. </Eheim Plug> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude_753 Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 atleast all is good, Ur lucky! I lost heaps a few months ago when my heater never turnded off, also last night i heard a bang aswell and my heater actualy exploded inside the tank. luckily i didn't lose anything last night. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo25 Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Wow thats no good, how much are those jager 300w heaters??? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 They're around 70 bucks, but with all the competition you could probably get them cheaper. Cheers, Rusty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamzaLH Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Heres a very short video on cheap heaters vs jager ... Hamza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorman Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Jager are the best for sure And $62 from me for the 300w Though running a 200w in a 600 litre tank is only asking for problems especially with your window open as the heater would be in overdrive all the time A 300w Jager is rated for upto 1000l so it is easily big enough for that tank Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbozed Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 all my heaters are jager, and they are excelent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-bender- Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 ok well instead of starting another thread i though i might just hijack this one a little..hope you dont mind japes i have an issue with my heaters in my discus tank... stuck my hand in the tank the other day and i got pins and needles like little shock..... so i un pluged it and put my hand back in the tank and no shock.... so i chucked that heater.... new heater, bout 2 weeks ago.. and now the same thing... unplug it and no shock, so for the night i have the heater for the house crankin to keep the room temp as stable as i can.... so what are the chances of 2 heaters crapping out in the same tank in a matter of 2 weeks? they are set properly and are in the water at the right level..... what to do? try another heater... the first was an aqua one and the latest one is a jager.... so what am i missing here.. once again sorry japes for hijacking :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo25 Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Whats everyones opinion on those stainless metal heaters taking glass out of the equation altogether??? They look pretty good? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briztoon Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 G'day -bender-, What type of fish have you got in your tank? I'm thinking possibly a rather active fish is knocking around your heater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-bender- Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 of all things discus!! so they not the agry sort of fish that would bash it around...a few neons and small bn's and a gibby(they dont like that end of the tankwhere the heater was), i put the second one in the corner of so it wasnt flapping around or nothing so it hasnt hit anything inside the tank because the suction caps were still attached firmly i got a new one so i going to see how this one goes and if it doesnt work then i not too sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage_roo Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 Where the same brade of heater is so It might of been a falty batch Or it could be from your filter with the power coming in through the water flow I would turn the heater on and turn off the filter to see if you have the same problem Roo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-bender- Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 Where the same brade of heater is so It might of been a falty batchOr it could be from your filter with the power coming in through the water flow I would turn the heater on and turn off the filter to see if you have the same problem Roo same batch? one was an aqua one and the other was a jager....? will try that with the filter though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenslandeR Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 i have 2 200w jagers on my 6x2x2 and when it gets freezing the temp still drops a degree or 2... im looking at getting 2 x 300w or 2 x 250w for my new 8x2x2... actually i might even have 2x250w on my 6ftr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted June 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Is anyone else using an Aquarworld Heater? I've got mine as a fill in for Bayfish day when I'm going to pickup an Eheim Jager, but mine just doesn't seem to be functioning correctly. Right now my tank is sitting at a terrible 25 degrees and the heater isn't on. It was in my sump but thinking that could be the problem (Possibility of 'dead' water, flow too quick) I've moved it into a heavily circulated part of my tank and it still doesn't seem to be functioning correctly. Do these heaters remain on or do they turn on and off to heat the coils and the water without using a lot of power. My tank has been cold most mornings lately and I don't think it's functioning properly at all. I've cranked it up to full (32) and it appears to be functioning better (it's on), but it feels like the Calibration is completely whacked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redlands Pet Centre Posted June 21, 2008 Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hi Ryan A 300w Aquarworld heater is only rated to 300 litres. Looking at your tank measurements I'm guessing you are probably close to double that, including your sump. Unfortunately water flowing through a trickle filter and sump tends to loose more heat. Is there any possiblity of insulating the sump. Is it the only heater running, I can't remember what you told me last time? We use the Aquarworld and Aqua One Heaters in our sumps in the shop and have no problems. I do however have 5 in one sump and 3 in each of the others. I know you are waiting for the Jager heater deal (as am I) but it may be worth while chucking in another heater to eliminate the risk. I was going to suggest that I mail you up one, but I don't know about the condition it would arrive in sending it with Australia Post. Anyway if you think it is worth the risk, let me know and we can try. Regards Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted June 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hey Russ, Yeah I realise it's only rated to 300L but it really hasn't been that cold lately, and I've been keeping my room as warm as possible and it still just doesn't seem to have any effect (Windows closed, we have a fireplace, plenty of other electrics in my room). My main concern is that the heater isn't running as much as it should be, as waking up to check the temperature and finding the tank at 24-25, when my heater is set at 28 and not even running is concerning. All I've got in the tank currently is the 300W Aquarworld, as I'm on a budget :irked: Regarding mailing a new one up, I'll see how this one does running inside my tank overnight (I've removed it from my Wet/Dry) and if it isn't keeping up I'll give you a call or a PM and organize payment etc. for having one mailed to me, it should do fine boxed from Brisbane. Cheers, Ryan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briztoon Posted June 21, 2008 Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hey Ryan, Most SA cichlids can handle 24/25 degrees quite well for a couple of months. Personally, I don't like my tanks getting over 28 degrees if I can help it. Of course our summer makes this near impossible, unless you have a chiller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted June 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hey Ryan,Most SA cichlids can handle 24/25 degrees quite well for a couple of months. Personally, I don't like my tanks getting over 28 degrees if I can help it. Of course our summer makes this near impossible, unless you have a chiller. Yeah the fish have been fine but they're clearly more energetic and less stressed at the normal temperatures. My tank held nicely at 27 last night but that was with the heater running on 32 degrees (otherwise it wouldn't run). What do you run your tanks at? Everything I've read indicates 26.5-27 is perfect. I'm going to invest ( ) in a second thermometer as well, can never be too safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted June 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Just an update Russ, the thermostat and heater just appears to be uncalibrated so I've matched it to my thermometer and am running the tank successfully at 27 degrees in the current weather. Keeping a close eye on temps as the heater is set at 32 degrees and I don't want to it just suddenly decide to run the tank at 32, but because it's underrated for my tank I'll hold out until Bayfish trip day. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redlands Pet Centre Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Thanks Ryan, good to hear your problem is temporarily solved. I have been today further arranging the Bayfish Trip with the Sales Manager for Aquatopia (Bayfish) and we were going through the talk on Jager Heaters that is going to be presented at Bayfish. I wanted to buy one for myself there and then. These are definately superior heaters and well worth the extra money. Bayfish may even do a live demo of putting a standard heater and a Jager Heater both running out of water then suddenly dipped into a fish tank. I should have final prices for these in the next couple of days and then I will start posting Bayfish Trip Specials on a thread so everyone knows what will be available. I should have most prices finalised by early next week. Regards Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
