Basically all my heaters I buy are low cost, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily the cheapest. I try read all the reviews I can and balance cheap with good quality.
I recently got in some heaters from Ken's for less than $10, and so far am very impressed.
Since it's getting colder outside (we like it pretty cool in the house), when I set up a few more 5 and 10 gallons, I needed some heaters and needed to save as much money as I could (again with reason compared to quality).
I have tried many of the $9-$15 heaters at Ken's and haven't had a problem with one yet. I like trying different products so just about every aquarium I have has a different brand heater. So this last order I tried the Via Aqua brand which I haven't tried before. And as long as nothing catastrophic happens over the next few weeks/months, I think this will be THE heater I buy from now on.
As soon as I opened one I could tell the build quality was very good.
The cord is longer than some of my other heaters... approximately 69" (did a quick and dirty check with a tape measure on the cord so give or take an inch or two).
The control knob to adjust the temp is easy to grasp and adjust even when wet (heater is fully submersible). The mechanism in the knob feels good too. It's very precise and solid in it's movement when you turn the knob.
The heater just 'looks' good too. As you can see in the pic below, the temp gauge shows C and F increments that change from white to red when you turn the knob to indicate the temp you want it at. It's a mechanical gauge though it looks like it's sort of digital. And it's pretty accurate in my experience thus far. Using a digital thermometer, the actual temp is within 2-3 degrees from what the gauge shows.
The 50w is $9.50 and 100w is $9.95.
So if you're looking for a heater on a budget, I feel this is a VERY good heater for the money.
I recently got in some heaters from Ken's for less than $10, and so far am very impressed.
Since it's getting colder outside (we like it pretty cool in the house), when I set up a few more 5 and 10 gallons, I needed some heaters and needed to save as much money as I could (again with reason compared to quality).
I have tried many of the $9-$15 heaters at Ken's and haven't had a problem with one yet. I like trying different products so just about every aquarium I have has a different brand heater. So this last order I tried the Via Aqua brand which I haven't tried before. And as long as nothing catastrophic happens over the next few weeks/months, I think this will be THE heater I buy from now on.
As soon as I opened one I could tell the build quality was very good.
The cord is longer than some of my other heaters... approximately 69" (did a quick and dirty check with a tape measure on the cord so give or take an inch or two).
The control knob to adjust the temp is easy to grasp and adjust even when wet (heater is fully submersible). The mechanism in the knob feels good too. It's very precise and solid in it's movement when you turn the knob.
The heater just 'looks' good too. As you can see in the pic below, the temp gauge shows C and F increments that change from white to red when you turn the knob to indicate the temp you want it at. It's a mechanical gauge though it looks like it's sort of digital. And it's pretty accurate in my experience thus far. Using a digital thermometer, the actual temp is within 2-3 degrees from what the gauge shows.
The 50w is $9.50 and 100w is $9.95.
So if you're looking for a heater on a budget, I feel this is a VERY good heater for the money.
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). Tanks stay ~72F without any heaters.