Ebo-Jager

[rayjay]

Now that I've lost faith in my ebo-jagers, what is the best heater to use that is available to me here in South Western Ontario?
One of my original ebo's failed earlier this year after 6 or 7 yrs of use. Because of this excellent track record I wanted more and the kids gave me one for Christmas that I put into service after the old one in my reef tank failed earlier this spring.
Now, this new style ebo, failed the same way, with the tank temperature rising into the 90's like the heat waves earlier this year, causing further damage and death.
I've never had a cheap heater fail that soon after putting into service.
I had also purchased two more ebo's of this TS 250 series a few months ago, but haven't started using them yet as the room temperature still keeps the tanks too high without heaters in them. Now I'm afraid to use them, thinking it's too high a risk factor now.
Adding to my woes, I don't have receipts for any of these to use for warranty, especially since I never dreamed I'd have problems with Ebo-Jager heaters.

 

[reefland]

huh. Ebo's are about as good as heaters get. Can you give some details on how they failed?

 

[danmhippo]

How was it positioned in your tank? Did it submerge in water totally? Do you have lots of vegetation growing over it?

I recently replaced all my ebo's with titanium heaters. Not because they failed, but I am paranoid fearing the glass tubing would break.

 

[Anonymous]

Uhhh...yep, that is paranoid.
In all my years of doing this I've never had a heater break. Furthermore, Ebos are as good as they get. I wouldn't worry about your failures too much - somebody has to be the statisticaly anomoly.
Cheers
Jim

 

[rayjay]

Firstly, I DO worry, not for the loss of the heater, but for the loss of the corals and fish that don't survive temperatures in the 90's.
This heater was mounted vertically in a 90g reef tank, Berlin style bare bottom and has no macros other than some hallamedia (sp?) which is not near the heater. Only the top sticks out above the water.
The newer heater failed the same way as the old one, that is, it came on and stayed on, even though the setting couldn't be set lower. Maybe they should have stuck with the older design. Probably it was a cost cutting move that instead, cost me a lot.

 

[Marcosreef]

I DO worry, not for the loss of the heater, but for the loss of the corals and fish that don't survive temperatures in the 90's.

Have you considered getting a temperature controller? The benefits far outweigh the initial cost. Just something to think about if you haven't already...

Marco

 

[rayjay]

This suggestion was made on another forum, but unfortunately I have 8 different systems. I guess I'll have to find submersible thermostats that I can use to control the power to each system heater.

 

[DJ88]

As an FYI. I had a brand new Ebo stick on in the same fashion. It wiped out my system. Took the temp to 94. So what Rayjay had happen is not unique. I won't buy one again.

 

[Panagiotakis]

I lost a Jager as well.
When i returned it to the LFS for warranty claims, i was told that they have power cables with embossed lettering in the cable .If the letters are found to fall upon the sealing grommet it leaks past causing the heater to fail.
I`m in Australia, so i don`t know if it applies to you.
All the Jager heaters here have this power lead installed on them.

 

[dizzy]

I was just wondering if any of the people who had a tank overheat were exceeding the 3watts per gallon rule. I have heard that if a heater is properly sized it will not raise the tank temp above a certain level. Some of these internal return pumps are the equivalent of a 70-80 watt heater going 24/7 so factor that in, if you are returning water this way or if you have powerheads going. So if you have 70 watts produced by pumps downsize the heater by 70 watts to reach the 3 watts per gallon rule.

 

[rayjay]

Thanks again for the replies. I checked the cords on all 3 of my newest ebo's and they have no marking of any kind, and, the failed ones both old and new, don't have any signs of moisture in them whatsoever.
The watt's rule I'm unfamiliar with, but in any case, I still would be underated based on that formula, for any of my systems, that one in particular.
The newest one, I checked this morning with hot water at 155F and the heater would not shut off even after 25 minutes.

 

[oranje]

I have a really flakey one I must replace in the next week or so... it's not that its "broken," but it doesn't turn on by itself. If you give it a little jiggle, the light goes on and it warms the water. Without the jiggle, it doesn't turn on. Hrmmm...

 

[LeoR]

I also had an Ebo that worked forever, so when it finally gave up I confidently bought another one.
Man, was I wrong -- the new one started behaving after just 2 weeks (it won't turn on or off, depending on the phase of the moon).
So, thumbs down for new Ebos, until they improve their quality control.

I like those new titanium heaters (I have 2 "Won Pro-Heat" heaters).
They seem to be reliable, the temperature control goes outside the tank (so you don't have to fumble around to adjust it), plus they are unbreakable.

LeoR