Post by Carl on Sept 24, 2018 9:09:22 GMT -5
I've updated this article from "Aquarium Answers"
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/01/aquarium-heaters-preset-vs-non-preset.html
Here is an excerpt:
POTENTIAL HEATER PROBLEMS
All heaters eventually fail, however how catastrophic this failure might be can be limited by correct use and correct information.
For me with literally 1000s of aquariums under my care, I can think of only two times a heater malfunction was catastrophic!! So my point is heater failure need not be a major concern if properly installed, maintained, etc.
HOWEVER we have a popular discount online reef and general aquarium supply outlet allegedly misinforming aquarium keepers in one of their videos (about fish feeding) that heater malfunction is one of the top two reasons for total aquarium failure.
This sadly shows a total lack of experience or use of mentoring by these persons (I myself was mentored by many & still am), but worse IMHO is this is irresponsible to scare aquarium keepers WITH SUCH BAD INFORMATION!
This has led to another popular concept of late, heater controllers.
My question though is WHY?
Is the aquarium keeper purchasing a heater that is so inaccurate that this is the only way to keep a heater working correctly?
The facts are that even the best of heaters have some variances, but these are quickly figured out thus requiring a slight change in setting of the pre-set number. Example setting the heater at 78F results in 76F, so turning the heater up slightly to 80F keeps it at 78F; PROBLEM SOLVED!
Now if the reason for this controller is because of use of a heater in a separate module, this will only address the poor temperate regulation issue of using such a component creates, it does not address the aspect that these shorten an aquarium heater's lifespan due to poor circulation.
If the reason for using these controllers is to prevent catastrophic over heating, well I already addressed this incorrect assumption for a properly installed heater. Most failures, by a large margin, result in the heater simply ceasing function, so is the controller going to rush out and purchase you a new heater???
In the end, this so-called new new idea/trend strikes me as another version of the must have a RO/DI system over a good RO only system shilling myth to part you from your money.
By following some bullet points, catastrophic failures should be a VERY rare occurrence.
* Do not "over watt" you heater. By doing this, then a relatively rare "stuck on" heater occurrence happens, the potential for disaster is much higher.
Better is to use the formula I provided or even consider multiple heaters to reach the wattage that maintains correct temperature.
This is the NUMBER ONE reason for catastrophic failure
* Leaving the heater partly out of the water when changing water. This will damage the heater, often with the problem caused by this damage not showing up immediately.
* Similar to above, most modern submersible heaters are designed to function FULLY SUBMERSED! This means if the heater is partially exposed to air (often via evaporation), the heater will often fail to regulate temperature correctly
* Not protecting the heater for destructive fish than can damage the heater such as by undermining a rock that then falls on the heater.
* Poor Water circulation around the heater.
* Poorly positioned heaters. While many heaters can be both vertical or horizontal, I have found that vertical is still best and with some poorly sealed heaters, A MUST!
* As pointed out later in "In-Line Heater Modules" section, these do not allow for optimal heater function. I do not care what brand, including DIY (as I too attempted to build one), these WILL AND DO lead to premature heater failure, although admittedly not always catastrophic.
* While a bit more subjective, as well as constantly changing due to new heaters constantly emerging; poor heater quality is certainly an issue.
* As a summary, I can categorically state based on experience with literally 1000s of aquarium heaters, that most all failures can be traced back to user error (this included my own).
Even minor problems of too warm one day and too cool another is often the result of poor placement, poorly sized heaters, not properly submersed, use in an inline heater module, etc."
Carl
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/01/aquarium-heaters-preset-vs-non-preset.html
Here is an excerpt:
POTENTIAL HEATER PROBLEMS
All heaters eventually fail, however how catastrophic this failure might be can be limited by correct use and correct information.
For me with literally 1000s of aquariums under my care, I can think of only two times a heater malfunction was catastrophic!! So my point is heater failure need not be a major concern if properly installed, maintained, etc.
HOWEVER we have a popular discount online reef and general aquarium supply outlet allegedly misinforming aquarium keepers in one of their videos (about fish feeding) that heater malfunction is one of the top two reasons for total aquarium failure.
This sadly shows a total lack of experience or use of mentoring by these persons (I myself was mentored by many & still am), but worse IMHO is this is irresponsible to scare aquarium keepers WITH SUCH BAD INFORMATION!
This has led to another popular concept of late, heater controllers.
My question though is WHY?
Is the aquarium keeper purchasing a heater that is so inaccurate that this is the only way to keep a heater working correctly?
The facts are that even the best of heaters have some variances, but these are quickly figured out thus requiring a slight change in setting of the pre-set number. Example setting the heater at 78F results in 76F, so turning the heater up slightly to 80F keeps it at 78F; PROBLEM SOLVED!
Now if the reason for this controller is because of use of a heater in a separate module, this will only address the poor temperate regulation issue of using such a component creates, it does not address the aspect that these shorten an aquarium heater's lifespan due to poor circulation.
If the reason for using these controllers is to prevent catastrophic over heating, well I already addressed this incorrect assumption for a properly installed heater. Most failures, by a large margin, result in the heater simply ceasing function, so is the controller going to rush out and purchase you a new heater???
In the end, this so-called new new idea/trend strikes me as another version of the must have a RO/DI system over a good RO only system shilling myth to part you from your money.
By following some bullet points, catastrophic failures should be a VERY rare occurrence.
* Do not "over watt" you heater. By doing this, then a relatively rare "stuck on" heater occurrence happens, the potential for disaster is much higher.
Better is to use the formula I provided or even consider multiple heaters to reach the wattage that maintains correct temperature.
This is the NUMBER ONE reason for catastrophic failure
* Leaving the heater partly out of the water when changing water. This will damage the heater, often with the problem caused by this damage not showing up immediately.
* Similar to above, most modern submersible heaters are designed to function FULLY SUBMERSED! This means if the heater is partially exposed to air (often via evaporation), the heater will often fail to regulate temperature correctly
* Not protecting the heater for destructive fish than can damage the heater such as by undermining a rock that then falls on the heater.
* Poor Water circulation around the heater.
* Poorly positioned heaters. While many heaters can be both vertical or horizontal, I have found that vertical is still best and with some poorly sealed heaters, A MUST!
* As pointed out later in "In-Line Heater Modules" section, these do not allow for optimal heater function. I do not care what brand, including DIY (as I too attempted to build one), these WILL AND DO lead to premature heater failure, although admittedly not always catastrophic.
* While a bit more subjective, as well as constantly changing due to new heaters constantly emerging; poor heater quality is certainly an issue.
* As a summary, I can categorically state based on experience with literally 1000s of aquarium heaters, that most all failures can be traced back to user error (this included my own).
Even minor problems of too warm one day and too cool another is often the result of poor placement, poorly sized heaters, not properly submersed, use in an inline heater module, etc."
Carl
