What Type of Aquarium Heater Do You Need?

Aquarium fish are cold-blooded creatures that rely on the temperature of the water to regulate their body temperature. Although temperature preferences vary based on species, most fish are from tropical locales and require an aquarium heater to maintain the very warm water temperatures they prefer. A heater is one of the most important fish tank supplies, and a temperature range between 76 degrees and 80 degrees encompasses the comfort zone for most fish living in aquariums.

The size of the tank is an important factor when determining the wattage of the aquarium heater you need to buy. Larger tanks require aquarium heaters with greater wattage to maintain their temperature. However, factors such as how much warmer than room temperature the water needs to be and how much heat is generated by other items in the aquarium can all impact how much heat needs to be produced by an aquarium heater. Aquarium placement can also impact the temperature inside the tank, so it’s important to consider whether the tank may be warmed by sunlight or made cooler by the draft from a nearby air conditioning vent.

As a general rule, when the temperature of the tank needs to be raised by 10 degrees or less, allotting 5 watts of power per gallon in the tank should suffice. For really large tanks, the combined wattage of two aquarium heaters placed on both sides of the tank will do a better job of providing even heating in the aquarium than just one. Having two aquarium heaters will also maintain some heat in the tank if one of the heaters malfunctions.

There are several types of aquarium heaters available. Submersible heaters are designed to be completely covered by the water in the tank. Because being completely submerged keeps all of the generated heat inside of the tank, this type of heater is very efficient and is also the most reliable. Older style or designed immersible aquarium heaters can be submerged under water to a point and are usually designed to hang from the side of the fish tank. A less common type of aquarium heater is a substrate or cable heater, which is designed to be buried under the gravel at the bottom of the tank.

Regardless of the style of aquarium heater selected, it’s important to position it in a way that prevents the fish from becoming trapped between the heater and other items in the tank. Make sure to let the aquarium heater adjust to the existing water temperature in the tank for a minimum of 30 minutes before turning it on to prevent cracks in the heater glass caused by a large temperature differential. Composite heaters have become very popular because they’re rugged and tend not to break at all, like the Cobalt Neo-Therm heaters:

https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/heaters/cobalt-aquatics-neo-therm-heaters

Taking the time to select and install the right aquarium heater can go a long way toward creating an ideal environment that allows your fish to thrive. If you need a high-quality heater for your aquarium, get in touch with Aquatic Warehouse. We also carry everything else you need to keep your tank running smoothly, from aquarium monitors to beneficial bacteria. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa today, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.