hygger 200W Titanium Aquarium Heater for Salt Water and Fresh Water, Digital Submersible Heater with External IC Thermostat Controller and Thermometer, for Fish Tank 20-45 Gallon

PROS:* Reliable. I own several units that I've used as backup heaters*.* Easy to set up and install.* Consistent and performant. No wild temperature swings.CONS:* None.USE:While I have used them as backup heaters in the past, they are now my go-to. I've owned several titanium BulkReefSupply Heaters with Inkbird controllers (wifi and non-wifi) and I had issues with them failing unexpectedly and after only a few months. The temperature swings were wild and were driving me crazy. I moved them, I calibrated them, etc. Nothing would do!Then I ordered a pair of Hygger heaters to replace my BRS Titanium heaters. The controllers are easy to set up and they work as expected. My temperature doesn't deviate more than a (fraction) degree during normal weather/HVAC operation. I have two APEX temperature probes that read the same temperature, the Hygger controller temperature aligns as do generic battery-powered temperature probes I used to verify temperature manually every once in a while. My Hygger heaters have been in service longer than my BRS ones, and none have yet failed (cross fingers). I have heater one configured to be the primary heater, heater 2 comes on if there is a drop in temperature beyond what is typical (so 2 degrees drop, the second heater comes on). This reduces the wear on the individual heaters having to boost temperature quickly (such as after a large water change, maintenance, etc.).

I have had the 200W Hygger now for three months. It is the best heater I've ever had and I've had a lot. I love that I can look at the wall and immediately see both the set temperature and the current temperature, even in the dark. I've never seen the heater run over the temperature I have it at. However, you do need to know that after it hits that temperature and shuts off it will not come back on again till it is one degree colder than you have it set. At first this bothered me because I raise shrimp and they like a very stable environment but in my case the temperature varies from 71F to 72F. This looks like a one degree variance but actually from 71.5F it is only 1/2 degree variance. Before Hygger I was running two heaters and also had two different thermometers monitoring my tank. With Hygger I was able to remove the two thermometers and the second heater from the tank.The temperature on the Hygger is right on and the thermostat is very easy to work. It looks good and runs good. I cannot testify to the longevity of it as I've only had it three months but it has already outlived my last three heaters. I also like that I have it so low in my tank I do not have to remove it for my weekly water changes.The only thing I would like changed would be for the heater to kick on at 1/2 degree instead of a full degree. That would give me an additional level of comfort that I would be willing to pay additional for.

Bought this to replace yet another failed submersible heater with built-in temp dial. Having a well sealed heater that is completely separate from the temp probe makes so much more sense. Installed with heater in my sump and temp probe at end of tank opposite from the water return from my sump. It has reliably maintained 78 degrees in my salt water 125g tank and 30g sump. I was thought I might need more than one but this was worked great for several months. I was pleased enough to buy a 2nd one for my prep container where I prepare 30g of salt water several days in advance of a water change. This also gives me a backup heater should one fail in the future.

Ok - this heater is a bit pricey (compared to other heaters) and I Haven't had it long enough to determine long term reliability but other than those two issues i really like it. The termostat is super accurate (my cheap marina heaters are a PIA to get the temp set correctly) and the heater seems very efficient (though i have this model in a smaller tank than the marina so not a fair comparison - it is in my ram tank who are more picky about temp).---This is an old review i wrote years ago and now i'm providing an update. I've had two of the newer models fail on me - one was doa (short in plug to heating unit) the 2nd one had a faulty heat probe that popped up to 105f (so the heater never came on); i've been working with kitty (hygger support) and her support has been very good. Provide video showing problem and they send a replacement controller (the heating units have been fine and there is no reason to have them replaced). The old ones I have (5+ years now) have been excellent but i'm a wee bit nervous that two of the of the newer ones failed. Conversely i have to give a thumb up for hygger support as there are companies that won't honor warranties. I have other hygger products - i have a couple of lights and they have been excellent for their price but don't have the bell and whistle of units costing 4x more (pay $200 more and you would expect a few extra bells and whistles). Anyway i still recommend this heater over those costing a bit less but be sure to make sure it is functioning correctly. The old ones if there is a power outage they revert to C the newer ones remember if you set F or C across power outage - also the old ones are a little narrower. They are pre pandemic - the new ones are post pandemic but i don't know when they changed the design. In total i have 10 or 11 of these....