How reliable are Tetra Whisper Heaters?

[fishb0ne]

I've got a couple of Tetra Whisper Heaters, same model, 50w rated for 2 and up to 15 galons. Had them for about 4 months now, they keep my tanks at a nice and constant 78*F.
Hit the internet for some reviews but haven't found much. Are these reliable heaters or should I start looking elsewhere? I'd hate to wake up one morning and find my fish boiled.

 

[ringfinger]

A lot of people, including myself, don't really like Tetra products because of how cheap they are. However, the heaters have never given me a good reason to not like them.

 

[squawkbert]

I inherited a couple of 1-2yr old ones when I bought my 46g. I put them in a 20L to aid w/ a science fair expt. One's dead, the other one isn't looking too trustworthy. They've both shed a lot of the black stuff.

The only Tetra products I'd recommend are the Whisper filters for <10g tanks, some of their airpumps & Tetramin flakes.

 

[Ziggy953]

I have a couple tetra heaters and have had no problems with them at all. I only use them as back ups and to heat my new SW for PWCs but they work very well for me for what I use them for. I wouldn't chuck them just because they say tetra on them, however I would invest in a couple of good heaters...HTH

 

[gadgetguy]

Mine was an "extra" heater and it died after about a couple hours of continuous use.

 

[helicopter]

Heater

I had a Tetra Wisper go on me. It wouldn't turn on. I would unplug it and it would turn on for a few seconds and then just go off again even though the water temp was way below 78 degrees.

 

[Ziggy953]

I would say that there are lemons in every bunch....just one of those things.