How to Choose the Right Aquarium Heater
One of the most common questions we get is, “Does my aquarium need a heater?” Well, most fish are cold-blooded animals that rely on the surrounding waters to regulate their body temperature, and most freshwater pet fish are tropical species that enjoy balmy temperatures around 78-80degF. So, if you usually keep your home cooler than that, then the answer is yes.
The majority of aquarium fish can withstand cooler temperatures than recommended. It is better for your fish to keep the water warm than cold and prevents diseases. Some species – like goldfish, Japanese ricefish, and white cloud mountain minnows – enjoy cooler temperatures and would be fine without a heater. Other fish – like discus, ram cichlids, and certain Apistogramma cichlids – prefer hotter temperatures around 85degF and require a heater.
What Size Aquarium Heater Do I Need?
If you have to heat water to temperatures greater than 10 degrees above ambient temperature, and you are using an aquarium lid to keep it warm and prevent evaporative cool, the general rule of thumb is to use 5 watts (W). For example, if you have a 29-gallon tank under those conditions, the suggested heater size is 100 watts. However, if your home is on the colder side at 65degF and you need to raise the water temperature by 15 degrees, then consider adding a second heater.
Recommended heater sizes for different types of aquariums
Other factors that impact a fish tank’s temperature include its location in your home. It is best to place it in a sunny area, in the basement or next to an air conditioner. Also, because heat naturally rises, the tanks at the bottom of an aquarium rack will be cooler than the tanks at the top. Furthermore, equipment such as lighting and filtration contribute to the total heat produced in an aquarium. Fluval FX4 canister filters, for example, run on 30 watts and heat the aquarium water slightly as it flows through them.
If you own a larger tank that requires 200 watts of heat, we recommend purchasing two 100W heaters rather than one 200W heater. Using multiple, smaller heaters reduces the damage caused by equipment malfunction. If one heater gets too hot, it is unlikely that it will be enough to heat the entire aquarium. A second heater can be used to prevent water from freezing if one heater fails.
What is the best place to put my aquarium heater?
There are many kinds of aquarium heaters, but we’re going to talk about the most common type – submersible heaters that operate completely underwater. The water current helps to spread the warmth from the heater to the rest of the tank, so ideally the heater should be placed right next to the filter output or pump for maximum flow. Install a thermometer in a corner opposite from the heater to make sure the heat is reaching the other side of the tank.
Some heaters should be placed vertically while others can be laid horizontally. To get the best heat distribution, long heaters with tube-shaped shapes should be mounted at a 45 degree angle. You can conceal the heater by placing plants and decor in front of it or hiding it in the sump if you have one.
Mount the heater at a 45 degree angle and conceal it with tall plants or decorations.
Do you leave the aquarium heater on all the time?
The heater can be left on all day. Aquarium heaters have an internal thermostat that turns off the heat when it reaches a specific temperature, thus keeping the water temperature within a few degrees of the desired setting.
To prevent temperature shock, allow the heater to adjust to the aquarium temperature for 20-30 minutes before you plug it in. When the heater is turned on, it must be submerged in water. You may see a line at the heater that indicates the minimum water level. Otherwise, it cannot accurately read the water temperature and correctly control the heating. If the heater is left running in dry air, it can crack or burn. When you do water changes, make sure to unplug the heater and turn off the power strip.
The heaters don’t require any maintenance, unless you use a toothbrush to remove algae. Manufacturers advise that heaters be left to cool for at least 30 min before you remove them.
What’s the Best Aquarium Heating Device?
When setting up a fish tank, there are many supplies that you will need. The aquarium heater is one of the most important. A reliable brand is essential as unproven brands could fail to overheat, shut off, or crack. A used heater is not recommended as you don’t know if it was dropped, left running without water, or any other issues.
We created our Aquarium Co-Op 100W heater to meet the requirements of high quality and full range of features such as:
– The compact, lightweight design makes it easier to place in an aquarium without having to hide it behind rocks or decorations. The digital display displays a large temperature reading which can be easily read. – The heater guard is a protective plastic cage around the heater that prevents fish from wedging themselves and getting stuck behind the heater. This is a common way for fish to die. The heater is protected from larger fish species, which could crash into it. – The adjustable temp feature can be used to adjust the temperature to cure diseases or to incite breeding. Aquarium Co-Op heaters don’t use temperature dials. Instead, a simple button control is located outside of your tank. This means that you don’t need to get your hands dirty to change the temperature. The extended, 11.8-foot, power cable is long enough to reach faraway outlets, even in a large aquarium. The suction cup allows you to attach the heater to the aquarium wall. There are four additional suction cups that can be purchased as replacements. You can rest assured that your heater will not malfunction or be damaged by manufacturing errors with the 1-year warranty.
Fluval 25W submersible heater is recommended for nano aquariums that hold 6 gallons or less. It can be set to maintain a temperature between 76 and 78 degrees F.
Bottom line: Don’t save money on heat. You’ll be a great host to your fish and provide hours of entertainment.
