Lilly Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 So I need a couple of heaters, and I'm wondering if you guys know of anywhere online that has good, cheaper brand heaters? The AquaOne heaters have never let me down, but I'm just wondering if I can save a few bucks, or is it not worth the risk of fluctuating temperatures etc? There are $7 cheapies on Ebay from Hong Kong, but lots of that stuff is really unreliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieBell Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I've been looking at the hong kong ones myself. Still not convinced whether or not I should risk giving them a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 From my way of thinking, 1 heater can be keeping hundreds of dollars worth of fish healthy so why risk that to save $20. Mind you, any heater can fail, new or old, good brand or not. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNgo2006 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I have used the cheap ebay heaters in a couple of my tanks and haven't had a problem with them yet...The only thing is the thermometer in the heater may be a bit dodgy so must get a proper thermometer to know what temp it is for sure...Have a look at the stainless steel heaters, they have worked well for me so far. Here is the link http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130694557444?var=430067550836&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillieOrCory Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I have not had problems with cheap heaters and I have over 60 running!!! The only thing I warn you about (and I do this even if the heater costs over $70) to make sure you do not over do the wattage. A large wattage heater if stuck will cook the fish in a short time, but a smaller wattage heater in the same water volume of water might take days and there is plenty of time to notice the change in the fish behavior. I find in large tanks it is better to have two smaller wattage heaters (eg 2x 150W) than one large one (eg 300W). I have been buying my heaters from aquariumproducts website, though they have stopped selling some of the ones I have bought in the past. Though also keep in mind I do not try to heat my tanks above 22C in winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davo Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hey Lisa and everyone I can get Resun Heaters for you for the following This is approved in NSW. The approval number is NSW21096 http://www.resun-china.com/en/Products.aspx?Pro_ClassID=136&Pro_ClassName=HEATER%20AND%20CHILLER&PPro_ClassID=137&PPro_ClassName=Sunlike%20Shatterproof%20Heater 25W $20 50W $21 150W $22 200W $23 250W $24 300W $25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) I'm the same, Steph. :/ That's true, Busman. I suppose I should just go and grab some from the LFS, especially considering someone is sending the new fish on Monday, so I won't really have time to have any sent from Hong Kong or similiar now. Just trying to save a buck where I can Thanks heaps for the link, Chi. They sound promising, I'll do a search on the smaller ones and probably get one to give it a shot. Thanks KillieOrCory, I had a look at the site. Unfotunately their $15 ones are 100w and I need 25w or 50w. Good advice, too. I'll remember that. Thankyou. Great Prices, Davo. I'll remember you for next time when I'm not in a rush. Edited June 14, 2012 by Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhong89 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 serious I wouldn't risk it. To save a few bucks in the past I have being buying second hand good brand heaters and they're around the same price as the cheap ones and I'm confident they have less chance of stop working than the cheap ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 There is also the bigger picture in all of this. You can save a few $ here and there on all sorts of stuff (I know it can save big $ at times) but we all need the LFS to remain open otherwise our hobby will become extremely difficult. There are lots of benefits from being in close with your LFS, including good discounts on products. The only way you get in good with them is to be a regular customer and SPEND money. If you don't, they go broke and close. Once I have found a good LFS, I am happy to pay an extra $5 on a heater , have a good talk with the staff and a poke around. It's enjoyable. And I feel like its my way of supporting my local. A bit of topic I know but I know of at least two GOOD aquariums that have closed in the last few years and all of these little things contribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieBell Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Davo, do those heaters have AU plugs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNgo2006 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) @Lilly if you are after a 25w you can get them from ebay for like $7. I have purchased a few just search 25w aquarium heater and you should see. They seem to be working no probs as yet. They are small like 15cm -20cm so can fit in any tank/barrack. Edited June 14, 2012 by Chi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowfish Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 Just had a new aquaone fail on me not saying they are bad... I have 3 others working fine, but yeah bit unhappy about it but it happens I'll take it back. Also in case anyone was thinking of those little marina mini heaters... I would stick to a normal type of heater those little 10w heaters only heat 3-4c above room temp even in a 2L container I was pretty dissapointed the thermostat cuts out at 23c not 26c like advertised. Heard the same since from other people they might be ok in spring or a cool summer spell... is room temp was low 20's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davo Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 Hi Steph Yes they do.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBetta Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 i found the local hydro shop had brand named heaters for less then the fish shops if that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBetta Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 i found the local hydro shop had brand named heaters for less then the fish shops if that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted July 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Thanks Chris, that is helpful. I don't think I have a Hydro Shop near me (that's what you get for living in a small, coastal town) but I'll remember that for when I'm next in Melbourne or something. I've purchased one of those $6 heaters from HongKong to try out, too- so I'll let you guys know how I go with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldtonWA Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 I've noticed that most of my heaters seem to have water vapour/droplets inside. Is this normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNgo2006 Posted July 10, 2012 Report Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) Water vapor usually appear inside the cheaper heaters but they still work fine, start to worry when you notice air escaping from the inside of the heater (bubbles, this means water is filling the heater). Edited July 10, 2012 by Chi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowfish Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 I have vapour inside an Eheim, still works but wasn't cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAF Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Any news on how these heaters perform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNgo2006 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Any news on how these heaters perform? Which ones are you talking about in particular? The ebay ones seem to work fine now for me it has been 3 months now, the only problem is the glass ones tend to arrive cracked and broken in the post (refund is issued though), so look for the stainless steel ones, they are pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiameseFightingFist Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 I'm currently using an Eheim branded one (from Fishy Business) as well as a generic Chinese heater which I bought from the sadly closed Blackburn Aquarium. Both are working very well although the generic one I've only had since the start of winter. I have also used the Marine Master branded one from BigW, those were the absolute worst. They fluctuate and simply cannot hold a constant temp, period. I thought I had a bad one by chance, so I bought another one and it was the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAF Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 It was more for any cheap heaters bought off eBay. Sounds like they are decent budget options Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REDFISH Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) I got ATMAN 25W and 300W heaters from HK, they work just fine... but having said that... RESUN heaters are well known amongst my friends.. I think someone was selling them in SYD for $20 - 300W Edited August 29, 2012 by REDFISH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowfish Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 I have been using the 25w glass hong kong heaters I got them for $5 originally to keep as backups in case I needed a spare but have been using them all the time the brand is Xylong they come with a plug adaptor and in retail box Ive had no problems so far temp seems stable. The thing that annoyed me was I had another heater won't say what brand except it's German... and not cheap fail in a very epic way a few weeks ago and kill an equally expensive fish. I have an aquaone that has algea growing on the inside if the glass that still works too. Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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