Beginner Marine Aquarist - I Know It Is Often Asked But I Have Quite A Few Questions.

Thanks so much everybody ill make sure to get you guys in on the fun!!! I honestly have probably said this a hundred times but I mean it I couldn't have done any of this without you guys. Thank you.

 

Excited to see the new tank!!!

 

Thanks! Me too!!!

 

Oh my goodness! I'm so excited for you! This is going to be an awesome build and that tank is a beaut. Only one more day to go.

Sorry, I fell behind a bit on this thread, but I don't anyone has talked to you about heaters since you posted your list on the last page. Unbelievably, I didn't see a couple of my buds here recommend a Cobalt NeoTherm over the Jager heater. The Cobalt is incredibly accurate and steady, but I was unaware of it when I set up. I have a 100W Jager on my own 20 gallon reef, and I also have one on a 20 gallon FW. I knew when setting up the reef that the Jager was less steady that I'd like, and I hate having to calibrate the darn thing. My solution was to add an Ink Bird temp controller to the set up, and I love it! It's a personal choice, but I prefer the Ink Bird plus heater over the Cobalt by itself, proven by the fact that I have the Jager/Ink Bird going on 3 tanks now. The controller keeps temp steady to within 0.2°, and will interrupt power to heater when the temp gets over the user's setting. This means with a temp controller, you will never cook your tank. The other thing I like a lot is that the temp is displayed digitally, so I know all is good with a quick glance.... from across the room. I chose to mount it on the wall next to the tank, but the controller could be easily hidden as well.

 

I can't believe I forgot that! Yes I would highly recommend the cobalt, small, unobtrusive, and incredible steady!

 

Thanks for help!! Can't wait till tomorrow. I had taken a look at the cobalt heaters however sadly, they are not available in the uk which is why I turned to the eheim jager heaters as they are a well known brand. I have found an inkbird controller (ITC-308)gladly and will probably use the combo! Thanks for the help. Much appreciated

 

You'll definitely want a controller. I have an eheim jager heater that I use for mixing saltwater, I don't use a heater on my tank, as the chiller keeps it constant, it'll never drop below 78.8, so I have no idea how the heater works long term, but usually my eheim heater will get the water to about 80 when it's set to 78-79, so it's been fairly accurate, and it has good reviews as well from what I've seen.

 

Thanks for the help! Luckily I have found an inkbird controller that stella1979 recommended I tried with the eheim jager so there won't be any cooking of my tank lol! Just a warning if the temperature looks really low in pictures its because we use Celsius here. That happened to me on another thread and everyone was like how isour temp so low Lol.
Thanks for the advice though!

 

I've been using an eheim jager 250w for about 8yrs and its still functioning with no issues.

 

Glad to hear its a good product!

 

Thanks for the help! Luckily I have found an inkbird controller that stella1979 recommended I tried with the eheim jager so there won't be any cooking of my tank lol! Just a warning if the temperature looks really low in pictures its because we use Celsius here. That happened to me on another thread and everyone was like how isour temp so low Lol.
Thanks for the advice though!

I used to see people say something like "my tank is 25 degrees" and I'd be very confused for a second, and then I'd remember that most people use Celsius. That got me the first couple times on here, but then it occurred to me that if their tank was actually 25 degrees Fahrenheit that it would likely be a brick of ice haha, so now when I see it, I assume it's someone outside of the US. The controller should be really helpful and give you peace of mind, but I think it's rare for heaters to malfunction on and cook the tank, but it does definitely happen. I don't have controllers on any of my tanks, but I may invest in 6 of them for all the freshwater tanks sometime soon, maybe I'll try out the inkbird one too!

 

Haha! Thanks for all the help although in the meantime all I can think about is the tank. Its supposed to arrive in the evening. Hope it isn't cracked or anythingops:

 

I believe the Jagers are a great product, but I wonder if the newer versions just have a hard time staying calibrated. I used one on my 20 gallon fw for several months without the controller, and I would often find the temp 2-3 degrees above the setting... so, I would calibrate it. 4-6 weeks later, I'd have to do it again. I use Jager's with Inkbirds across 3 display tanks now, and never have to touch the heater.

Inkbird ITC 308 is perfect! That's the newer version that I have for a new little cube set up, and it's better than the older one I have on my fw tank. That older one is great too, but it allows a temperature variance of about 1.5° instead of 0.2°, making the 308 more precise.

 

Haha! Thanks for all the help although in the meantime all I can think about is the tank. Its supposed to arrive in the evening. Hope it isn't cracked or anythingops:

That was a huge fear of mine when I got a used tank! I lucked out though with no leaks or scratches. I think you will be okay, I assume they probably package it up pretty good and be sure to label it as fragile. I'm looking forward to seeing it though and watching the progress!!

 

Thanks so much guys! It should be ok as it is shipped through UPS although that's just my paranoid side tuning in lol. Happy to hear that the one I found is precise. I was a little worried and thought we might not have it lol! Can't wait to have this setup!!!!

 

I just got my first tank by mail last week, so I know just how you feel about it arriving damaged. It arrived in one piece, and it was packed exceptionally well. I'd imagine most businesses selling good brands would take the same precautions.

I am so excited for you Jamie! Can't wait to see the new IM!

 

Thanks for all the support!!! School tomorrow is going to feel like an eternity!

 

Thanks for all the support!!! School tomorrow is going to feel like an eternity!

I can relate

 

It's delivery day!!!

 

I can't wait!! Take pictures during the unboxing so you can share with us!

 

I can't wait!! Take pictures during the unboxing so you can share with us!

You should set up a time lapse of you setting it up, I do them with my reef and they look super cool.

Ethan

 

Yep it is!!! Going to finish school In around a few hours and then back home to begin the wait! Ill make a build thread as soon as it arrives. If it arrives in the evening I'll open it tomorrow and then head to the lads to pick some stuff up hopefully!

 

Don't forget to post a link here so your excited Fishlore friends all find the new build thread. We really are very excited for you, so much so that I made one of my rare early morning posts here today. My previous comment was made around 6am for me. I had hardly cleared my head for the day before I thought of the new IM!

 

Haha! I'll be sure to tag all of you guys!

 

Awesome!!! I'm so looking forward to seeing the new tank!!!

 

Its here!!!!!

 

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OMG that was so quick! I saw an alert and said it couldn't possible be a message lol

Build thread coming up

 

YAYY!!! It's finally here!! I can't wait to see the build thread!

 

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Must feel like Christmas , good luck on your adventure and I can't wait to see it's progress

 

Thanks!! Heres a link to the build thread with my current progress - Jamie's Im20 Build!