Inline Heaters

[Mettle]

Who uses/used them?

To what success?

What brands?

Pros/cons?

Do they interfere a lot with cleaning of cannisters?

Any other words?

Cheers.

[tuvok]

I recently (a few weeks ago) got a 200w Hydor inline heater to replace a 150w Ebo in a 38g (now filled to 20g) tank. The heater is plumbed into a Filstar XP2.

My observations to date:

The heater keeps the water right on the desired temperature and because the water is heated in the return tube for the filter the heating appears to even throughout the tank.

I also appreciate the fact that I don't have to stick my hand in the tank to change the tank.

The heater was simple to install as well. Cut the return hose, push the hose ends on the ends of the heater and screw the locking nits that are attached to the heater to keep everything together. Start your filter and plug in the heater.

The only cons that I can discern right now is that to change the setting of the heater you have to turn the temp dial a bit past the temp setting you want and then set it to the temperature that you want. This is the recommended method that I have seen for several in-tank heaters so this is not *really* a con.

The heater also make a click sound when it turns on. It is not very loud and only noticable when you are paying attention. With that said my Visi-Therm heater does that as well so again not a big con.

The only real con is the cost and that you need to run a canister filter to use it (this really comes back to cost -- the XP2 is a good filter). I suppose you could just rig some kind of system where you just have a hose that has a pump at one end, the heater in the middle and returns the heater water on the other end. This might eliminate the requirement for the filter. Don't try this without getting input from someone who knows what they are talking about (that someone is definitely not me). The one thing that I cannot speak to concerning this heater is long term reliability beacuse, as I pointed out earlier, I have not had it that long.  Hope this helps.

[Mettle]

Well. I'm planning on having two cannister filters running on my 72 gal. (Right now I have a single Fluval 404.) I was thinking of getting 2x 200w inline eaters.

We'll see once money frees up.

But thanks for the info!

I'm trying to make my tank as clutter free as possible. (Already have the spraybar and fluval intake hidden, just the heaters now)

[tuvok]

I'm trying to make my tank as clutter free as possible.

I did not mention that but it is really nice not having the heater in the tank.

[Toss]

Hi Stephan

Just a reminder that fluval hose is different than XP, Marineland or Eheim. You might have issue connecting them.

[Aiglos]

Ive been looking at getting one.

Evenly distrubted heat.   No heater in Tank,  

I will need atleast 3 so again it comes down to money and priorities but I can see my converting 100% to inline heaters on my canisters.  

I was contemplating purchesing one of the thermal eheims before I found out about the inline heaters.  Sounds like a good alternative

[tuvok]

I was contemplating purchesing one of the thermal eheims before I found out about the inline heaters.  Sounds like a good alternative

Yeah, my guess would be that the eheim would set you back some serious $$$.

Then there is always the DIY option:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=505816#505816

[blizzack1]

Well. I'm planning on having two cannister filters running on my 72 gal. (Right now I have a single Fluval 404.) I was thinking of getting 2x 200w inline eaters.

We'll see once money frees up.

But thanks for the info!

I'm trying to make my tank as clutter free as possible. (Already have the spraybar and fluval intake hidden, just the heaters now)

Mettle, the visibility of my intake and spray thingy are my main issues right now - how did you hide them?  Plants?  Rocks?

[Aiglos]

I was contemplating purchesing one of the thermal eheims before I found out about the inline heaters.  Sounds like a good alternative

Yeah, my guess would be that the eheim would set you back some serious $$$.

Then there is always the DIT option:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=505816#505816

Tuvok: Good link,  Id be too worried about burning my house down... I think I will stick to commercial Inlines haha thanks though

[Mettle]

Well. I'm planning on having two cannister filters running on my 72 gal. (Right now I have a single Fluval 404.) I was thinking of getting 2x 200w inline eaters.

We'll see once money frees up.

But thanks for the info!

I'm trying to make my tank as clutter free as possible. (Already have the spraybar and fluval intake hidden, just the heaters now)

Mettle, the visibility of my intake and spray thingy are my main issues right now - how did you hide them?  Plants?  Rocks?

It's just the way I decorated my tank. I used a lot of fake plants for my background. They're the type sold in the reptile section, but are completely aquarium safe. I've attached a pic.

[tuvok]

Tuvok: Good link,  Id be too worried about burning my house down... I think I will stick to commercial Inlines haha thanks though

I hear you. While the idea seems good, that just seems like too much of a risk to actually put into action. The closest to doing a DIY inline heater that I would consider would be to use a sump and put the heaters in there.