I've setup an 8g with a corner HMF and aqua soil. I'm thinking of giving CRS a try. Can anyone give me suggestions on a small heater that is adjustable? I find the 25w Eheim is too big.
I refuse to buy any hydor heaters, I have dealt with them twice for warranty and won't buy anything hydor again.
So what options do people suggest other than these 2 ?

https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12...ml#post8792473

I've had good.luck with viaaqua, though not sure they'll be small enough... Look at the salt water forms for heaters that fit inside aquaclear 70 & 120 filters, they use them as refugium and they hide the heaters in there

I have Neo-Therm heaters in my nano tanks. They come in a 25 watt size, as well as larger. They are adjustable, and look good. (They are small, black, and flat, so not very noticeable, at least if you have a dark background.)

They aren't cheap, but for me the price is worth it. Check out the reviews at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008AGHH8Y/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

I've got a little flat "undergravel" heater that I use in my daughter's 10 gallon tank. One of those pre-set to 78 degrees dealies. Cant recall the name for the life of me but it seems to work well and stays hidden. Probably found it on amazon.

I have read it is better to keep CRS at about 72-74.
I have some of those preset heaters and find that on the smaller tanks they can hit 82 at times. I would like to be able to house it behind the HMF, if not I guess I will end up with the Eheim.

How about looking at some of the heating mats that might fit underneath? Think turtle, frog, etc. or there are commercial pads for keeping chemicals at temp. Many are not adjustable so pair it with one of the small digital temperature controllers?
Heat from the bottom can be very efficient due to the heat rising. Stand or table top with floor tile to keep the heat off the table, heating pad and then it covered with cloth to hide the pad under the tank?

NOOOO, those blew up in TheKingofDIY's sump and killed his rays.

That's a great idea, but the tank is a rimless and the bottom glass sits on a foam pad, then directly on the counter. But that would work well on a regular tank.

Is it the physical size of the 25 watt that is too big or too much heat? I'm thinking of a tea cup heating pad like sets beside a computer in the 17 watt range used behind the HMF> They indicate water proof but I would want to check how waterproof they mean!

It's the dimensions, I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.
I want to run a glass lid and not have a heater sticking up out the back.

I'm running this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OTJEGA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
so far it works great. My tank is in a cold room near an outside wall. Its holding its own!

You are correct but Cobalt admitted to a design flaw primarily in their 150 watt and 200 watt versions made during a certain year. Haven't heard much about the 25 watt version. I currently use the newer Easy-Therm line and have been keeping a close eye on that too.

This is bumping a pretty old thread but I'm curious if you're still happy with this heater Ichy?

(I need a new heater for the 3 gallon in my signature)

Sorry I have not been on much.
But if have not purchased yet, that little heater is still plugging away.

These were the 200W+ models I believe and the issue was fixed.

Dan

Bump: +1

Dan