No More Aqueon Heaters For Me

I was doing some tank shuffling and adding a new 20 gallon long. I noticed my Aqueon 100w had corroded contacts for the element inside but was still working fine. I have another 100w and the contacts are like new, as it should look. I sent an email to Aqueon and they responded that it was normal and how it can get humid in Italy (where it's made) that can cause moisture in the glass and I should continue to use it. Not quite the response I was expecting and very disappointing. I have mostly Aqueon Pro heaters (100w, 150w, 200w, 250w) and just bought another 100w last week but I think I'll be returning it.

The corrosion is on the contact below the black plastic piece (both sides)



And a bit of rust on the metal tab that is soldered onto the PCB



I ordered a Finnex HPG 100w a couple of weeks ago on Thunder_o_b 's recommendation and while it's nice and seems to work well, it's way too big and bulky for a 10 gallon or 20 gallon long. I'll probably move it to my 20 gallon tall. I really like the digital display and adjustment button on the cord. It's a very cool design but just way too big for a 100w heater.

I just ordered 2 Cobalt NeoTherm 100w. I know they had some issues with their earlier versions but it has been addressed and no reports of failures with the new versions.

 

Thanks for the info! Heaters freak me out, I'm gonna check mine when I get home

 

Well, I was about to order aqueon pros for all of my tanks, after I had two of mine fail on my in a matter of a week, but I this makes me want to spend the extra money and buy finnex or cobalt.

 

:I Ah. That explains why I keep seeing condensation on the inside of the tubes and why they seem to heat inaccurately or nearly cook my tanks from time to time. Screw that noise, I'll buy a different brand next time. Thanks for the warning!

 

Thanks for the info! Heaters freak me out, I'm gonna check mine when I get home

I usually inspect new heaters every month for the first few months but not much to inspect on the Pros as they're all black. These Aqueon heaters (not Pros) were in QT and fry tanks and I usually just visually inspect for water or condensation in the tubes and there was none. The corrosion wasn't noticeable until I took it out during a tank shuffle. The one in my fry tank is perfectly fine and they're both about 8 months old.

Well, I was about to order aqueon pros for all of my tanks, after I had two of mine fail on my in a matter of a week, but I this makes me want to spend the extra money and buy finnex or cobalt.

All heaters will eventually have issues but the response from Aqueon was a huge turn off. Their regular heaters have a 1 year warranty and the Pros have limited lifetime warranties but after dealing with them on this one heater, I'm not sure the lifetime warranty is worth much at all. That said, my Pros have worked flawlessly and no noticeable issues. They're competitively priced and consistently had the least amount of bad reviews.

I really like the Finnex but it's frakin' HUGE! This is in a 20 gallon long. The water level is less than 5mm below the frame.

:I Ah. That explains why I keep seeing condensation on the inside of the tubes and why they seem to heat inaccurately or nearly cook my tanks from time to time. Screw that noise, I'll buy a different brand next time. Thanks for the warning!

I had no issues with it being inaccurate. That's usually an issue with flow within the aquarium and not so much the heater.

 

Oh, wow, and you don't even have gravel. Wouldnt even fit my 20L

 

Well, I was about to order aqueon pros for all of my tanks, after I had two of mine fail on my in a matter of a week, but I this makes me want to spend the extra money and buy finnex or cobalt.

Just an FYI

The Cobalt and Aqueon Pro heaters are made in the same factory in Italy.

The regular Aqueon heaters are known to have issues.
I have the Aqueon Pro heaters in 3 tanks and they've been problem free.

I also have numerous Cobalt Accu-therm heaters as well.