BEST TYPE OF HEATER?

[EAST_TX_RN]

Hi! I need ya's opinion on the best type of heater for my mbuna. It will be going in my 50 gal. tank that doesn't have a heater yet. I do not know the brand I am using in my 55, but I bought it at Wally-World. I was hoping to find a good one that you can use under-water. Any online sources would be good as I live out in east BFE. Please help!

[sap]

i just switched all of my tanks over to fluval tronic submersible heaters, they have an auto shut off when water levels drop in the tank( i kept forgetting to unplug mine during water changes). I got them off ebay really cheap

[EAST_TX_RN]

That sounds great, because I do the same about turning them off. Will check them out.
Thanks a lot!

[biggin]

What kind of filter do you have? If you have a canister in-line heaters work great.

[kewlkatdady]

I personally use the stealth heaters...as they seem to be almost indestructable. My africans have dropped rocks on top of them 2-3 times in 7 months.

[ElijahTurtle]

I like the visa-therm stealth as well. Tough as nails! Titanium is about the next best thing for putting in the tank.
To keep them from gettin jacked up, you can always place them horizontaly near the substrate. Unless your doing 100% changes, they should never be exposed this way.

[EAST_TX_RN]

I went ahead and ordered two fluvals, because I needed to hurry up and have something. Thanks for ya's advice!

[Peanut_Power]

I use the hydro heaters...400watt...absolutely love them. Shock resistant, break resistant, fully or partially submersible, accurate temp. control to one degree, vertical/horizontal positioning. I absolutely love them! They work wonderfully!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks for the tips! Elijah, I put them horizontally about mid-way down the tanks. Is that low enough? I usually do 50 % water changes every week or two.

[ElijahTurtle]

Yeah that would be fine. As long as your w/c never exposes them.

[sap]

if you got the fluval tronics they turn off during water changes or any situation where their tempature rises suddenly

[EAST_TX_RN]

Yes, I bought two, 200 watt Fluvals and they are working great! I have them placed horizontally about mid-way down my 55 long and my 50 gal. It felt kind of scary putting the cord in the water though!

[Catherine]

Another vote for the Stealths. I take them to my fish shows, and even discus dashing around the tank smacking them don't cause problems. They are my favouite and have lifetime warranties! I haven't had any fail yet, and have them in over a dozen tanks.
C

[misplacedsooner]

sadly i have several different kinds in tanks that i heat. had one bust during a wc once. scott, how much are you getting the tronics for on ebay? i just picked up a nice ebo jager 250 watt at tca auction for a nice price.

[sap]

200, 150, and 100 watt for 32 dollars total, plus 14 in shipping, it was a steal. Thats the only time i have seen them on ebay up for bid....there are a bunch for sale in the buyitnow section but it would total 70-80 bucks + shipping.

[EAST_TX_RN]

I just paid $67.47 total for two 200 watt. Fluvals off Ebay. The guy is located in Austin.
Here is his email adress:

aquariumandpet@yahoo.com (aquariumandpet@yahoo.com?subject=RE:%20You%20Won% 20eBay%20Item:%20Fluval%20Tronic%20200%20w%20Aquar ium%20Heater%20UL%20listed%20NEW%2065g%20%28260001 127027%29)

[sap]

my tronics have gone to shit.........paints flaking off one of them, rubber end cap is falling off the other one and one just melted the suction cup holder during a water change...I have contacted Hagen to see if their Lifetime workmanship warranty will cover these problems...time to find out if they stand behind their gurantee

[kewlkatdady]

damn that sucks...
keep us updated on the customer service standards.

[sap]

Customer (Scott Palmer)
The paint on one of my fluval tronic heaters is falling off in the aquarium. Will this kill my fish if they eat it? Does the paint normally fall off after 1.5 years of use? I also have another tronic heater that does not shut off when exposed to air it melted the holder. Lastly the end cap of my third heater has fallen off what is the best way to re-attach it?

1st response came 10 hours later..
Response (David)
Dear Scott Palmer,

We thank you for taking the time to contact us.

The paint should not begin to fall off of the heater after 1.5 years of use. All paints are 100% non-toxic, and will not harm your fish if they do eat it (the fish will realize it is not food, and shouldn't eat it). The holder is available as a replacement part, and I can send you out a couple of holders if you would like. Unfortunately, the end cap is not available as a replacement part, as it is permanently attached to the heater. My only suggestion would be to try to glue it back onto the heater. Please reply.

Thank you,

Dave Restaino
Customer Service Dept.
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.

My response.

Customer (Scott Palmer)
I guess the heater that is losing paint can have the excess removed with an stainless scouring pad. Even though the paint is not toxic, the fry and juvenile cichlids I am raising in that tank might still try to eat it. Will hagen send me glue to re-attatch the end caps? I just pulled another heater and its end cap came right off. My main concern is the heater whose safety shut-off feature did not engage during a water change, 99.9 % of the time when performing water changes i turn the heater off by unplugging it however this time I forgot resulting in the holder melting and the heater dropping into the water. I was very suprised the glass on the heater did not break.



Their final response...




Response (David)
Dear Scott Palmer,

Unfortunately, we do not have any glue available to send out to you. You can check with your local hardware store for some type of non-toxic glue. These Fluval Heaters do come with a 3-year warranty. To have the heaters repaired, if possible, or replaced if not repairable, please send them into us at:

Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
ATTN: Customer Returns
305 Forbes Blvd
Mansfield MA 02048

Please securely wrap and protect any delicate items so that transportation and handling cannot further damage them. Clearly mark the package with both the destination address (above) and your return address.

We need your full address in our Contact details to ensure proper return of your goods, so if you have not filled those in as of yet, please ensure they are complete before we receive your package.

In addition, please clearly show the incident number on the outside of the package.

Your incident number is:080710-000001

You should also ensure a copy of this e-mail is included in the package you send to us. Your dated sales receipt is also required, a facsimile or scanned version is acceptable if you wish to keep the original on file. If you feel it is important make any added notes about the problem that will help speed our examination and evaluation feel free to include those as well.

We do not provide shipping to our Service Department and highly recommend that you use a service that provides a tracking number of your item. We cannot be responsible for any items that do not actually reach our doors, so it is best that there is some tracking of your shipment available in case of mishap by the postal service.

We pay shipping on the return trip via the U.S. Postal Service (first class or priority mail) or FedEx Ground. If you should require a more expedited form of return shipment, you would pay the difference.

We will update your records when we receive the parcel and again when we have finished with the claim. If available, the tracking number will be entered on your file and an e-mail will be sent to you with the information.

Thank you for your patronage.

Shipment checklist

1) Securely packed item for return.

2) Reference number clearly marked on outside of box: 080710-000001

3) Your full return address.

4) Mailing address to:
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
ATTN: Customer Repairs
305 Forbes Blvd
Mansfield MA 02048

5) A copy of this e-mail.

6) A dated sales receipt or facsimile showing date of purchase.

7) Any added information pertinent to the claim

8) Package is sent with some form of tracking to ensure it can be traced if lost before reaching us.

Thank you,

Dave Restaino
Customer Service Dept.
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.



Not bad for customer service these days.

[EAST_TX_RN]

That is great to know. Now, I need to go look at mine to see if the heaters are peeling! Sap, are you still needing to use heaters in the summer-time? I've had mine off for the last 2 months.

[sap]

not using them right now and have 2 pairs breeding.......just saw the small grey dot paint specks in the tank and started investigating

[kewlkatdady]

well at least you don't need the heaters right...

[sap]

at the moment i dont...but for what Hagen charges for these heater(although I got a great deal on 3) and their lifetime material and workmanship warranty I wouldnt expect these problems to occur 18 months later.

[goose8651]

Can you give me his email address. I have email fluval about 4 times now about a filter and they have never gotten back to me. Thanks.