1. i have a 3 chamber 40b sump with a 75g display. where should heater or heaters be placed? overflow,fuge, return? 2.how many and what watts? 3.what brand is best?

250w heater should do the trick for you. I personally like to double up, and would go for 2x 150 with one set a little cooler than the other if you don't plan to run a controller.

+1 on the contoller - just added one and am using 2 heaters.  Regarding the brand, all of my tanks had Marineland Stealths in them, but I had 8 of the fail this fall (all in Freshwater tanks - some causing severe shocks and others significant overheating of the tank, so my reef now has a controller to keep it from over heating).  The Stealths do have a lifetime warranty, but I have been waiting for two months for replacements of 5 of them (anyone have any contacts there?).   Based on a recommendation here, I will soon be switching to a https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20161&prodid=40477&catid=3 titanium heater in my FOWLR.

Posted By Big Country on 12/12/2009 05:26 AM
+1 on the contoller - just added one and am using 2 heaters.  Regarding the brand, all of my tanks had Marineland Stealths in them, but I had 8 of the fail this fall (all in Freshwater tanks - some causing severe shocks and others significant overheating of the tank, so my reef now has a controller to keep it from over heating).  The Stealths do have a lifetime warranty, but I have been waiting for two months for replacements of 5 of them (anyone have any contacts there?).   Based on a recommendation here, I will soon be switching to a https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20161&prodid=40477&catid=3 titanium heater in my FOWLR.

i also had a stelth shock my tank. what do u have to do to get them replaced?

I had multiple Stealth heaters fail...but personally, the only reason why I would be interested in getting them replaced is to give them to someone else to take a chance on. I've heard of too many of them failing and causing issues...no more Stealth heaters for me. I have switched to Ebo Jager. I've heard of some people having issues with them, but more good than bad...and I really trust the Eheim name. And, they're one of the few heaters that I'm aware of that you can manually re-calibrate should you need to. They carry a three year warranty...not lifetime, but none of my Stealth heaters ever lasted three years...

--AJ

I returned my failed Stealths to Aquarium Systems, 8141 Tyler Blvd, Mentor, Ohio 44060 with a copy of the receipt - this is in the instructions in the package. I did get the 5 replacements and they are the new Stealth Pro (actually 7 of the 8 were replaced with Stealth Pro).

I've been running 350w Titanium Hydro Farm heaters in my tanks and have been having great results. They're very accurate with an external controller and separate temp probe. I've also sold quite a few of these and people seem to love 'em. There are a few more available @ $35 for the first one and $30 for each additional (shipping included). Click for heater spec sheet.

Also, to answer your other question.. the bottom of the return would be good. There's always adequate water and water flow there so you get an even temp throughout the whole system. I use 350w units in tanks up to 75g, then over that I add a second unit (as long as the tank isn't in a 50 degree basement).