Everything You Need To Know About Aquarium Heaters
If you’re looking for the right aquarium heater for your tanks, then you have come to the right place. Here at Pond Planet, we are proud to offer a wide selection of premium-quality aquarium heaters, which promises designs to suit every aquarium. But with so many options on offer, which aquarium heater do you choose?
To help you find the right aquarium heater for your tank, we have put together the all-you-could-need guide on choosing the perfect aquarium heater. From basic facts to helpful hints and tips, our extensive guide has all the information you need to make an informed decision on your aquarium heater. So, read through our guide today and browse our selection of high-quality aquarium heaters online now.
Table of contents
Do I Need an Aquarium Heater
What Size Aquarium Heater Do I Need?
Types of Aquarium Heaters
What to Consider When Using an Aquarium Heater
Aquarium Heater Installation
Aquarium Heaters Maintenance
Aquarium Heaters FAQs
Do I Need an Aquarium Heater?
Firstly, let's cover the obvious, and that is, do you need an aquarium heater? The short answer is yes.
Most fish are cold-blooded, relying on their surrounding waters to regulate their body temperature. Similarly, most freshwater fish are tropical species that prefer warmer waters, so if you like to keep your home at a cool temperature, you will need an aquarium heater to ensure water temperatures stay warm and steady. Keeping warm temperatures also ensures a less stressful environment for your fish and, therefore, helps to prevent some diseases!
What Size Aquarium Heater Do I Need?
Next, you may wonder what size aquarium heater you need for your tank. Generally, we recommend having 1 watt (W) of heat for every 1 litre of water. This is based on having your aquarium water heated 10 degrees above room temperature and ensuring you utilise the aquarium lid for retaining warmth and preventing evaporative cooling. So, with this in mind, we can theorise that a 100-litre tank under these conditions should have a suggested heater size of 100 watts. If you feel your house is generally kept on the cooler side, you may want to reconsider these parameters and upgrade to the next available heater size.
What Else to Consider...
Other factors that may affect your aquarium temperature include where your tank is placed in your home. The temperature of your tank will differ greatly depending on where it is placed, for example, from a tank in the basement of your home to one in a sunny room. You also need to remember that heat rises, and so if you have an aquarium rack, any tanks placed on the bottom shelves are going to be cooler than the tanks at the top. All of this needs to be taken into consideration when choosing tank heaters!
Types of Aquarium Heaters
When it comes to aquarium heaters, there are a few different styles and types on the market, including the four most popular options: submersible, immersible, substrate and filter heaters. Beyond these four there are other options, such as in-pump heaters, hanging heaters or heating mats that sit underneath a tank. However, some of these are not recommended, especially the likes of heating mats which have been known to malfunction or stop working completely. You would also need to drain the tank completely to remove or swap the heating mat, which is not recommended!
With this in mind, we are going to cover the four most common and popular aquarium heater types so that you may have a good idea of which would be best for you.
Submersible Heaters
Designed to be placed fully into the water of your tank, submersible heaters are generally long, slender and round in shape. By attaching to the walls of your aquarium by clips or suction cups, you can position the heater horizontally, vertically or at an angle. However, we recommend keeping submersible heaters away from gravel as it does not conduct heat well and may lead to causing the glass of the heater to crack.
Immersible Heaters
Immersible heaters feature a glass tube with a heating element that winds around a ceramic or glass insert. Some immersible heaters may also contain sand.
The placement of immersible heaters depends on the type that you choose, so take this into consideration before purchasing. Some are able to be fully submerged, whereas others, often referred to as hanging heaters, can only be partially submerged. Usually, they have a clear water line marked and must not be put into the water lower than this point. They get their name as they hang from the top or the side of the aquarium.
Substrate Heaters
If you are looking for an aquarium heater that can be almost completely hidden, then you may want to consider a substrate heater. Also known as a cable heater, substrate heaters utilise a flexible cable with a heating element that can be buried beneath sand or gravel. Although it is one of the least common aquarium heaters, some aquarists believe that it is the best option to use within planted tanks where the gravel should be warmer for ideal growing conditions for plant roots.
Substrate heaters work by warming the gravel, which then radiates heat to warm the water. It is best to be placed in a zig-zag formation to ensure even and optimal heating.
Filter Heaters
Other heater options to consider include filter heaters. You may have noticed when choosing your aquarium filter that it has an inbuilt heater and so you should take advantage of this. These tend to most likely be canisters or power filters and perform the double action of heating the water as it goes through the heater. This means that you have continuously pumping warm and clean water in your tank.
What to Consider When Using an Aquarium Heater
Here we have rounded up our last few tips we think you should take into consideration when using an aquarium heater!
Quality Over Quantity
When buying your aquarium heater, you should not let the price be a considering factor on your decision. We firmly believe that it is better to buy a high-quality aquarium heater once rather than having to continuously replace cheaper heaters that may work for only a short while before giving up. You should consider this a proper investment for your tank and pets that ensure proper health and safety!
Always Read the Instructions
Never think that the instructions provided with any of your aquarium equipment is unnecessary. You should always take the time to read through heater instructions carefully and keep them on hand for emergencies or breakages rather than throwing the information away. Remember, the instructions are there for a reason!
Keep an Eye on the Temperature
Of course, you have chosen an aquarium heater so that you can regulate the temperature of your water. But make sure that you keep an eye on this and don’t let it slip. An essential part of good tank maintenance is spotting any issues before they become serious, and so keep a monitor of your water temperature with a quality thermometer. Place it in the corner of the tank furthest from your water heater to ensure the whole tank is heated properly.
Aquarium Heater Installation
When you first install your aquarium heater, we recommend that you allow the equipment to acclimatise to the water temperature for around 30 minutes before first plugging it in. This will prevent accidental breakage from initial temperature shock. You should also ensure that the heater is submerged in the water before turning it on. If this is not done, the heater will not be able to accurately read the water temperature and regulate it correctly.
It is also important to note that if you keep the heater running when exposed to dry air, this may lead to a burnout or crack in the heater. So, make sure to always unplug the heater when performing water changes in the tank.
Aquarium Heaters Maintenance
Fortunately, your aquarium heater does not require much maintenance. Unless you may want to remove algae from the heater then we recommend doing this with a soft toothbrush to scrub. Otherwise, just keep in mind that when removing the heater for any reason, you wait 30 minutes before handling in order to ensure it has appropriately cooled down.
Aquarium Heaters FAQs
Do I Need to Leave my Aquarium Heater On All the Time?
Once you have found the right aquarium heater for your tank and decided where it will be best positioned, you may be wondering how long it should be left on. To make things easier, you can leave your aquarium heater on 24/7, as it will have an internal thermostat that turns off the heat when a specific temperature has been reached. This ensures that the tank water will constantly be kept within a few degrees of the desired temperature.
Where Do I Put my Aquarium Heater?
When choosing your aquarium heater, take note of how it is recommended to be positioned in the tank. Some heaters must be stood vertically, whereas others are designed to be laid down horizontally. We recommend placing your heater at a 45-degree angle if possible, as this will allow for even heat distribution throughout the tank. If you’re worried about the heater being unsightly in the tank, then simply conceal it with decorative plants and decor.
Can an Aquarium Heater Burn a Fish?
Although it is not a likely occurrence, it is possible for your aquarium heater to burn your fish. Although, this will only happen in the event that your fish get stuck between the heater and the tank. If your fish does get burnt, these wounds may lead to secondary infections, which should not be dismissed.
To avoid this, the steps are simple. You can ensure that gaps between the heater and glass of the tank are minimal and away from the usual swimming patterns of your aquarium life. If this is not possible, you may also want to invest in a plastic protector, although some aquarium heaters come with this as standard. Make sure you fit it properly instead of disregarding it.
Related Articles
The beginners guide to aquarium filters
Tank buying guide
How to clean aquarium sand