Heater question

[pmui]

When do you replace your heaters?

Do you replace them at a specific to years of use? or do you replace them when they are broken (they get stuck on the on position).

 

[rkaragozler]

i pull mine out every 6 months and test with a digital meter for 2 days

 

[Mattl22]

What do u test them with and how ??
How often do they go bad??



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[ming]

I have mine on a controller. If it stayed on, my controller would turn it off after the water became too warm. If the temp ever became too hot or cold, I would get an email and text message to alert me.
In all my years (8 in reefs and then many more in freshwater) in the hobby, I had 1 heater crack on me, 1 stopped turning on, and another got stuck on. I don't remember what caused the crack, it may have been low water in sump and it became exposed while still on but I have an auto top off now.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Ill replace mine as soon as I have any worries that they arent right. Whether they test fine or not, if you wonder about them- theyre cheap enough to replace that piece of mind is worth every penny you spend.

 

[InfernoST]

IMO it's best to use a controller to run your heater because it far more reliable than the Bi-metallic thermostat built into most heaters.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I run mine on a controller-but remember its not just OVER heating that we worry about- if a heater fails and wont turn on a controller doesnt solve that one. It may if you have an upper model one e mail you to let you know your temp dropped but it cant turn on a heater that wont function, so if I wonder because my temp drops a degree or so under what it usually is at its lowest- its bye bye to that heater.

 

[ming]

You can always have a 2nd heater plugged in a controller as a backup if the temp drops below what you want

 

[InfernoST]

I run mine on a controller-but remember its not just OVER heating that we worry about- if a heater fails and wont turn on a controller doesnt solve that one. It may if you have an upper model one e mail you to let you know your temp dropped but it cant turn on a heater that wont function, so if I wonder because my temp drops a degree or so under what it usually is at its lowest- its bye bye to that heater.

I run two 300watt heaters for that reason, if one should fail the other should be able to keep Temp as long as the house heating is still working.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I run two 300watt heaters for that reason, if one should fail the other should be able to keep Temp as long as the house heating is still working.

I run 2 150's 1 on my controller 1 in an outlet. I was just bringing to light to people that are just getting into it that controllers cant fix every situation. People seem to talk like controllers are fail safe pretty much and that theyll text/email me whenever anything goes wrong. Someone brand new in the game may not think of the things that controllers cant fix.

 

[Wes]

On average, once a year.


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[InfernoST]

I run 2 150's 1 on my controller 1 in an outlet. I was just bringing to light to people that are just getting into it that controllers cant fix every situation. People seem to talk like controllers are fail safe pretty much and that theyll text/email me whenever anything goes wrong. Someone brand new in the game may not think of the things that controllers cant fix.

In my initial post I was just bringing to light (AS you say) that a controller is much more reliable than the built in bi-metal thermostat and a complete system controller isn't required either.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

True wasnt tryin to argue or anything- just with the influx of new members sometimes people follow things to the letter after they read so I figured Id throw that out there that nothing is a fail safe 100%- especially with heaters

 

[rkaragozler]

one thing i found out in this hobby is their isn't anything that is fail safe. thru experience and reading thru this forum and many others, we just try to be cautious. sorry I use a digital hanna meter to check accuracy.
http://www.labsafety.com/HANNA-Waterproof-Pocket-Thermometer_24532007/r_+-14593/

 

[InfernoST]

True wasnt tryin to argue or anything- just with the influx of new members sometimes people follow things to the letter after they read so I figured Id throw that out there that nothing is a fail safe 100%- especially with heaters

Me neither, no need for arguing (That's what wifes are for) and definitely understand what your saying and agree 100%. :wink1:

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Me neither, no need for arguing (That's what wifes are for) and definitely understand what your saying and agree 100%. :wink1:

LOL is why Im single hehe

 

[InfernoST]

LOL is why Im single hehe

+1

I'm jealous.:tongue1: