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Stealth Heater Problems

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Ohtanksalot

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
I have been having terrible luck with marineland stealth heaters. I bought 6-50w 4-75w 1-150w 1-200w and 1-250w a year and a half ago from Drs.F&S. Slowly but steadily they have been developing problems. 1.Overheating and 2.Shocking me. I can see a thermostat sticking, but the shocking me part???? Ticks me off.... I don't even have fish that bash heaters around and when I clean tanks I hardly even bump the heaters or cords. And the shock part is wierd. Can't feel it unless I've got little cuts on my fingers, like I always do, I'm a nail picker. Then...WHAM. makes my whole arm ache...Like I said, Ticks me off. My wife didn't belive me about the shocking part. We were getting into a big argument, where she thought I was kidding her about the shock. She cautiously stuck a finger in and she was ok. She said "see it's ok, your full of it" I said "try putting your nicked skin finger in" WHAM. "Ouch that hurt"...Settled that one. These are supposed to be the best heaters. Mmm...No!!! Now I am torn do I try the "New" Marineland Stealth "Pro" heaters and hope they corrected these problems? Do I take a step down to $8 el-cheapo glass submergible heaters? Do I try EBO-JAGER that are expensive like the stealths and I have heard bad things about also? This heater issue makes me think twice about keeping 11 tanks up, and for sure I am not setting up my other 14 tanks. DEAD STEALTH HEATERS 2-50w 3-75w 1-150w 1-200w More than half. When this started, I bought more stealths to replace them...Urgh...$^!% Heaters are definately the weak link in keeping tropicals. I've thought about just heating my fish room from 72 to 78-80 with my existing blue flame propane heater, but not only is that uncomfortable to me but I would have to build a wall in the basement and insulate the other three poured concrete walls and finish and insulate the ceiling and buy a second smaller dehumidifier and put a door on the room and lose the slighty open feel of the basement and stairs, read Claustrophobic. The insulation would also hamper the summertime benifit of having my fishroom in the basement because it's a consistantly cool 68-74 down there and our upstairs does not have air conditioning and gets up to upper90's in july and august. This really has me upset. I included a pic of my fishroom to give you a feel of what I've been working with. Couldn't get all the tanks in one shot. Will deff. hold off on setting up more tanks untill I get this heater thing figured out. I've got a 150g for behind the couch yet and two more 75g's on a double rack and a 83g hex to go in the room yet. Plus more 29g and unders. Will deff. hold off on setting up more tanks untill I get this heater thing figured out.

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i guess every product has its down falls, i have been using stealths for years and have never had a problem, i have a 250 stealth that is 5 years old(was kinda expensive when i first bought it)they are alot cheaper now. I hope you find a heater that works for you. As for me i will stick with stealths for now they have always been goood to me. good luck on you fish room.
 
i just purchased a stealth and placed it in my 75 gal., about 2 months ago. i did it because so many people on this site recommend the stealth. it's working fine and i can't complain, but i don't like the fact that you can't tell when it's actually on. there is no light. my favorite heater is the fluval e series. here's why:
  • Electronic Technology: Electronic monitoring system, thermal sensor, and LCD temperature display
  • Precise Temperature Setting: With the easy to use adjustment lever, the temperature can be precisely set in 0.5° increments.
  • Advanced Safety: The integrated fish guard offers advanced protection. Fish and invertebrates cannot come into direct contact with the heater core. The heater is protected against shocks from large fish.
  • Mounting Bracket: The heater easily clips on or off of the slim line mounting bracket or can be vertically adjusted for precise placement. The included adapter provides the option of side glass mounting when traditional rear glass mounting is not possible.
i've had it in my 125 gal for over a year, and it works superbly. the actual temp is always lit up on the lcd screen and if it drops, the lcd display turns blue. if it rises, the lcd turns red. if the temp is OK, the lcd reamins green. they cost more, but i think the technology and piece of mind justifies the extra cost.
 
"I'm still running a 75w Ebo-Jager on my 40g for over 15 years........yes its glass but I have dropped the damn thing many times (during cleaning where I have broke others) and it keeps on ticking. I have no doubt it will probably out last me.

General Aquaria Discussion Forum
Top Sticky - longest-lasting equipment
Just look how many Ebo-Jagers are talked about

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=23400 "
 
i had to mail back about 5 stealths for over heating or under heating. all under a year old. at least when they replace it now, you get the stealth with light indicator. =/
 
Have a few 250w stealths and had one crap on me just the other day on my QT tank.
Just lucky I caught it and didn't cook my new Flower Ray.
By the way not even a year old and I can't find the receipt. rrrrrgggg
 
I'v hear a lot of pple with stealth problems. IMO aqueon heater are prefectly good and come with a life time warantee.
 
I have to say that I really find your run of bad luck with the Stealth heaters to be VERY surprising. Of all the heaters that I have used, these are the most reliable. In fact, they have been bulletproof over a five year period. I recently purchased four of the 300 watt Stealth Pros (with the lighted knobs) and they have been steady as a rock for the past two weeks in my 350. I can only suggest that you get a couple of the Stealth Pros and use them for a few weeks to determine their reliability. I should mention that I run all of my equipment through surge protectors. Not sure if that's your problem, but it can't hurt.
 
Will never buy another stealth. I have had at least 6 crap out on me. Over the last 7 years, one cooked my BGK before I realized the temp had shot up to 92 degrees overnight, I've had 4 or more send current into the tank with one giving me a good zap, and a couple start the run away process with it set to 78 and temp was 86. Will always go the titanium route with controller.
 
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