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. However, keeping the water at a steady warm temperature is less stressful on your fish and therefore helps prevent diseases. Some species – like goldfish, Japanese ricefish, and white cloud mountain minnows – enjoy cooler temperatures and would be fine without a heater. Some fish, such as discus, ram and Apistogramma Cichlids, prefer higher temperatures, around 85 degrees F. They require heaters.
What Size Aquarium Heater Do I Need?
A general rule of thumb states that 5 W of heat is required for every 1 gallon water. This applies if the water needs to be heated to 10 degrees above normal temperature and if you use an aquarium lid to retain heat and prevent evaporative cooling. If you have a 29-gallon tank, 100 watts is the recommended heater size. If your home is at 65 degrees F and the water temperature is below that, you may need to increase the water temperature by 15°.
Recommended heater sizes for different types of aquariums
The location of the fish tank in your home is another factor that can affect its temperature. Are you placing it in a sunny space, the basement, or next to the air conditioner. Because heat rises naturally, tanks placed at the bottom end of an aquarium rack are cooler than those at the top. Lighting and filtration are also important in generating heat in an aquarium. Fluval FX4 canister filters, for example, run on 30 watts and heat the aquarium water slightly as it flows through them.
Two 100W heaters are better than one 200W heater if your tank is larger and requires 200 watts. Multiple heaters of smaller size will reduce the chance of equipment failure. If one of the heaters gets too hot, it’s likely not powerful enough on its own to overheat the whole aquarium. A second heater can be used to prevent water from freezing if one heater fails.
Where Should I 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 must always be positioned vertically, while others can lay down horizontally. To get the best heat distribution, long heaters with tube-shaped shapes should be mounted at a 45 degree angle. If you have one, you can hide the heater behind plants or decor.
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. The heater should always be immersed in water before it is turned on. The heater may have a line that indicates the minimum water level. It will not be able to accurately measure the water temperature or 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.
Thankfully, heaters do not require much maintenance unless you want to use a toothbrush to gently scrub off algae. Manufacturers recommend that you wait at least 30 minutes before removing the heater.
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. It is important to choose a reliable and safe brand. Unproven brands can overheat, shut down, crack, or fail, which could lead to disastrous results. A used heater is not recommended as you don’t know if it was dropped, left running without water, or any other issues.
Our Aquarium Co-Op 100W heater was designed with high quality features and an extensive range of features in mind.
– The small, compact design makes the heater easier to position in the aquarium and hide behind decorations or rocks. The digital temperature display gives a clear reading of the temperature. The heater guard prevents fish from tripping over the heater. This is a common way for fish to die. This enclosure also shields the heater from larger fish species that may crash into it. – The adjustable temperature feature is useful in case you need to raise the temperature to treat diseases or lower the temperature to induce 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 11.8-foot extra-long power cable allows you to reach distant wall outlets even if your aquarium is deep. – The suction cups allow you to firmly mount the heater onto the aquarium wall, and four extra suction cups are included 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 with 6 gallons and less. This heater can maintain a temperature of between 76 to 78degF.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be trying to save money on heating. Your aquarium fish will be happy if they have a comfortable and warm home. They’ll enjoy hours upon hours of entertainment.