overall score:

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Product Review

Models Used for this review->50, 100, 150, 250 watt

For a very long period I'd heard nothing but good things about the legendary Ebo-Jager heaters, but I was skeptical.  I didn't see how a heater could really be worthy of such praise, and I also felt they looked rather technical.  Over 1 year ago I set up my first Ebo-Jager heater in an aquarium and at this point, I am hard pressed to find a better heater.

Accuracy (10)

I've run several of these heaters to tests with multiple thermometers, and without fail, the heaters do not very more than 1° F.  These heaters are perhaps a little more difficult to set (the old style require a nickel or screwdriver to set...the mechanism is in place to avoid the temperature accidentally shifting)  than most depending on whether or not you have the new or old style of the heater, but once you have them set, they will not vary.

Ease of Use (7)

If you were to point out a possible bad point of this type of heater, the ease of use category would be it.  The heater has an adjuster which is particularly difficult to adjust.  In fact, the manual recommends using a nickel to turn the adjustment knob.  I typically use a large flat-head screwdriver and have had no problems doing so.  While I do appreciate the fact that there set-up for adjustment makes it very difficult to incidentally change the temperature, it does make the product more difficult to set.  (NOTE:  newer versions of the Ebo-Jager heater have a more simple adjustment method)

The actual setting mechanism has changed somewhat through the years.  You are able to set to specific temperatures, but as tank volumes are not always consistent with the gallon size they claim when they are sold, I've found it a better practice to set it to 76F and then to make any minute adjustments that may need to be made to ensure the water is set to the temperature I want it set to.  Thus setting the temperature on this heater is not as simple as say a visi-therm or dual-temp heater.

Reliability (10)

The ability of the heater to last over time and to not hurt fish if it fails is by far the most important factor when you are determining which heater to purchase.  The Ebo-Jager uses temprex glass that is twice as thick as most of the competition, making them almost entirely shatter proof. 

The heaters I've used are all used, and many were abused before I began using them.  Nevertheless, they have preformed without flaw.  I have not yet seen any heater fall outside the range of temperature it should, and no heater has failed or broken despite the roughings that I on occasion accidentally (or purposely) apply to my equipment.  I am confident that this series of heaters is among if not the most durable heater on the market, that it will work for you for extremely long periods of time and will likely not break or cease to function even if you treat the heater poorly.

Overall (10)

There is frankly no better heater you could buy.  The heater is for anyone who wants a heater that will work for a long period of time and will be extremely accurate.  Their heaters are also submersible, so you won't have to worry about the water level dropping low enough to cause a problem.  Just place the heater anywhere in the tank you want, set it, and sleep sound!