Heating Your Freshwater Aquarium

Published January 16, 2008 - RSS/XML Feed

- By Dustin Phillips

Most freshwater fish exist naturally in warm, tropical climates – hence the name “tropical fish.” This warm climate allows most tropical fish to live in water that is between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because most hobbyists live in colder climates, it is necessary to heat your aquarium water in order to mimic the natural environment in which your fish live. Having a heater can also help the breeding process, as many fish require higher water temperatures in order to breed.

Heating your aquarium water is rather simple and relatively inexpensive. Moreover, maintaining a constant temperature for your fish will reduce stress on them, therefore promoting a healthy aquarium environment. The heater is an important part of your overall aquarium set-up and there are many options available on the market. This article will give you tips and advice on how to choose the right one for your aquarium and fish.

There are three different types of heaters that are readily available to hobbyists in most pet supply stores all with advantages and disadvantages. Each type is discussed below.

Immersible Heater: The immersible heater is an ideal option for hobbyists who have a limited budget as they are inexpensive ($8 - $25). Also known as a hang-on heater, these hang over the back side of the aquarium and are partially submerged into the aquarium. Most immersible heaters have a mechanical temperature adjuster on the top of the unit that can be easily set to the desired temperature for your aquarium. To maintain a consistent temperature, it is important to keep the heater control above the water line. Most immersible heaters will indicate where the water line should be in relation to the heaters placement. These heaters are tried and true and will work well for most aquarists, especially beginning aquarists.

The downside to immersible heaters is the fact that they can be obtrusive to a natural look in your aquarium. Because it hangs from the top of your aquarium it can be difficult to hide and ultimately take away from the visual aesthetics of your tank. If budget is a concern and you don’t mind seeing your heater in the tank, this is the heater for you.

Submersible Heater: As the name suggests, the submersible heater can be fully submerged into your aquarium due to the fact that the tube is completely sealed. They have a slim design which makes them easy to conceal in your aquarium compared with immersible heaters. Submersibles are a little more expensive than immersibles and range from $15 to $50 in price. The temperature gauge is usually mechanical and is easy to set at a desired temperature. These heaters are reliable and do an excellent job of maintaining a consistent temperature. If you are a hobbyist who prefers a very natural look in your tank, this is a popular, fairly inexpensive and effective heating option.

Filter Heater: These heaters are placed into your external filter and heat water as it flows through the filter. The benefit of this is that water is heated more evenly throughout your tank whereas this is not always possible with immersible and submersible heaters. Another advantage of the heater being located inside the filter is that your entire heating system is external making it a very attractive option for hobbyists trying to achieve a completely natural look in their aquarium. The temperature dial is usually mechanical and is very easy to set making it simple to maintain a consistent temperature. Filter heaters are generally more expensive than their counterparts and range anywhere from $30 - $60. If you have the budget, these heaters are a great option in terms of overall aquarium aesthetics and temperature control.

Once you have decided on the type of heater you want for your aquarium, the next step is to determine the correct size for your tank. The size of an aquarium heater is determined by total wattage. The higher the wattage of a heater, the bigger it is. Obviously a bigger tank required a bigger heater. The other factor to consider when determining heater size is the temperature of the room the aquarium is in. The greater the variance in average room temperature versus your desired tank temperature, the greater the heater size needs to be. Assuming that most households are typically 68 degrees Fahrenheit and most freshwater tanks are kept around 75 – 77 degrees, use the chart below to determine what size heater is right for your aquarium.

5 – 8 gallon tank – 25 watt heater

10 – 20 gallon tank – 50 watt heater

22 – 30 gallon tank – 75 watt heater

32 – 40 gallon tank – 100 watt heater

45 – 60 gallon tank – 150 watt heater

62 – 70 gallon tank – 150 watt heater

70+ gallon tank – 250 watt heater (additional heater units may be needed)

If your average room temperature is lower than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, consider moving up in heater size. If it is higher than 68, consider moving down in heater size.

Once your heater is installed, be sure to have a thermometer located on or in the tank so you can monitor the temperature and adjust the heater accordingly.

There are many different companies that manufacture aquarium heaters and most of the products are more than suitable for the home aquarium. Check out the following links to read more about specific manufacturers and models to find the perfect heater for your aquarium!

Rena® SmartHeaters- http://www.marsfishcare.co.uk/en_us/productCategory.asp?categoryname=heaters

Marineland® Visi-Therm Heaters

http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_vtherm.asp

Marineland® Dual-Temp Heaters

http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_dualtemp.asp

PennPlax® Heaters

http://www.pennplax.com/Pages/Aqua.pages..../Aqua28F.html

Tetra®

http://www.tetra-fish.com/sites/tetrafish/catalog/productcategory.aspx?id=1276&cid=61

Hagen®

http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/sub_category.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=110

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