New Heater for 80g tank

[garglax]

So I pulled my glass heater today since I've read so many horror stories of peoples heaters exploding while in use. I want to upgrade to something reliable and energy efficient. Since I have live plants I'd like to use a cable heating system. But I've also heard that Titanium heaters are where it's at.

So my question is; Would I be better off just getting a Titanium heater or doing a combination of the cable heating system for live plants in addition to a titanium heater? Keeping in mind that energy consumption and temperature regulation are also concerns.

Thanks

 

[jezzeaepi]

Glass heaters can explode, but titanium heaters have their own associated electrical problems. The real threat is the thermostat not working correctly on the heater, and it staying on and cooking your tank. Regardless of what you use, get a ranco controller for it(or some other type of secondary controller). I personally have never had an issue with glass heaters, and i have 6 in operation at this moment. Two of them have been going for the last 8 years straight in a chichlid tank where they have been knocked around real good without incident.

 

[gotfish]

Don't waste the money for the substrate heater. I've had planted tanks for quite a while and am on a number of different forums. From what I've read, the "science" behind it's use isn't exactly sound and I and I'm sure you as well have seen extremely beautiful tanks that don't use substrate heaters. I've also kept plants, i.e. barclaya longifolia, that supposedly need a heated substrate with success.

As far as heaters go, I've used glass without a problem. I've started using the stealth heaters from marineland for the last year or so and also don't have a problem with those.

 

[burning2nd]

ive went both ways.. and im back to glass... If your carefull enough with the glass you will be better off IMO..

 

[garglax]

ive went both ways.. and im back to glass... If your carefull enough with the glass you will be better off IMO..

What lead you to go back to glass heaters? Also what brand/size/quantity do you recommend?

Thanks for your input

 

[burning2nd]

i started with jager... or old school EBo... (first place IMO)
then i went to a Ti won Lcd... worked great till its inevitable failure witch i was warned would happen...
got 1.5 year outta that..

then i went to a single jager 100watt and a stelth 50 for a high low seting... that worked great... now my setup is on a controller but spit between 2 heaters...

that was figureing that if one fails and stays on. it will have a harder time overheating the tank.
and if one doesnt turn on.. then it will get colder then normal.. but wont plummet.

the glass jagers seem to be the strongest and longest lasting...
Ive not had one fail yet...

I would advise if not controlled and even if. spliting the total heating needs in half..

I now use one stelth and one jager in both of my tanks controlled....with a RK2... but for a long time i used no controller.

glass can crack but you can see the light on and off

 

[jezzeaepi]

I too use only the glass Ebo-jaggers.