Rena Smart Heater

[grumpysteve]

i've had this heater less than a month (300W) and after playing around with my tank a bit yesturday it wont stop flashing. there was a lot of stuff floating about after i was done planting some plants and re-arranging a few things. ever since it's been flashing to warn the water is too warm, every now and then stopping to either stay on (meaning its warming up) or goes off (meaning the water's the right temperature). it's been set to 24 celsius since i got it, but usually keeps the water at about 26. but today i've noticed the heater's flashing, but the temperature according to my thermometers has dropped to 24. i took it out to make sure there was nothing blocked in it, but it was clear and still flashing. there's some decor near it, but not close enough to bother it, and it wasn't a problem before.

anyone else had this or know of a way to make it work properly again?!

cheers in advance

 

[betta fish]

Hello Steve, unfortunately this is an all too common problem of Rena smart heaters from what I can see online, I have a 50w one that is doing exactly the same thing, it was fine for a few months but now when it is plugged in it will constantly flash at a slow rate, which means the thermostat detects the water is below what it is set for, it is still heating the water though and it must go on and off as the temperature remains steady so I don't think the thermostat is broken but for some reason the light does not seem to go off anymore it only goes off if I turn the dial to the lowest setting! There is no way to remedy this as far as I know

 

[kaivalagi]

I've seen the same issue posted in these forums before, it just seems to be the sensor and/or light circuit playing up, rather than an actual thermostat fault. Monitor your temp anyway, just to be sure

Do yourself a favour next time you get a heater, make sure it's a Hydor ETH external filter next time, they come in either 200W or 300W, they're the dogs danglies I have 2 and I have never seen any faults with them reported.

 

[grumpysteve]

i've already sent it back and got a refund. it wouldn't keep temp, and ended up constantly flashing fast.... i think the hydor external should have been my original first choice, but i've spent a lot on my tank recently and i just couldn't justify the extra cost at the time

 

[kaivalagi]

i've already sent it back and got a refund. it wouldn't keep temp, and ended up constantly flashing fast.... i think the hydor external should have been my original first choice, but i've spent a lot on my tank recently and i just couldn't justify the extra cost at the time

Oh dear that could have been nasty!

Atleast you got your money back, now to buy a decent, reliable heater...

I know the Hydor heaters are a tad expensive but they are well worth the extra cash, worst case you can always get a "normal" heater which will be well tried and tested

 

[raptorrex]

i've already sent it back and got a refund. it wouldn't keep temp, and ended up constantly flashing fast.... i think the hydor external should have been my original first choice, but i've spent a lot on my tank recently and i just couldn't justify the extra cost at the time

Oh dear that could have been nasty!

Atleast you got your money back, now to buy a decent, reliable heater...

if you are in the UK the retailer, whatever lies they tell, has no choice but to refund/exchange. if they sell something, it must work as intended. no if buts or maybes.

I second the Hydor though. sad, i had high hopes for the Smart Heaters.