Aquarium heaters: varieties, selection, installation and use

Comfortable water temperature in the aquarium maintains a certain microclimate and contributes to the normal life of the inhabitants. To create optimal parameters, heaters are used. Today, the choice of such equipment is diverse. They have different capacities and depend on the volume of the tank that needs to be warmed up. But not everyone knows how to choose a device, how to properly install and operate it. This will be discussed in this article.

It's no secret that the underwater environment of the aquarium is vulnerable and specific. To support and normalize the vital functions of vegetation and fish, an optimum temperature is needed.

The water heater prevents possible drops that adversely affect the underwater microclimate and cause fish diseases. The device evenly heats the water, which eliminates the occurrence of layers with a lower temperature in one or another part of the aquarium. In addition, the mixing of the liquid layers does not allow water to stagnate.

Do not think that the principle of operation of the device is the same as that of the boiler. This is not true. The device heats water by only 4–5 degrees. The average water temperature for fresh and tropical ponds is 23-30 degrees. A slight increase is necessary if the room is quite cool or tropical fish species live in the aquarium.

The main feature of the device is temperature stabilization.Many aquarists are sure that for some species of fish, its fluctuations are even fatal to several degrees. However, such differences are typical for small bodies of water.

Pet shops have a wide selection of water heaters for aquariums.

• there is submersible appliances, they come in several forms.
  1. Glass. The body of the device is made of durable, impact-resistant glass, which has a sealed cover. Inside is a thermostat - thermostat. An automated on and off system allows you to maintain an average temperature.
  2. Plastic water heaters are considered more advanced models. They are made of durable material. The equipment has a flat view, an electronic type thermostat and is equipped with a backlight with LEDs, which serves as a warning signal.
  3. Titanium appliances. They allow you to control the temperature without immersing your hands in water. The combination of modern technology allows you to use the device for both fresh and marine bodies of water. Also, the heater is great for aquariums with large turtles and fish.
  4. Mini devices They are distinguished by their miniature size and are suitable for nano-reservoirs. The heater is placed underground or along the glass. Missing thermostat.

• Flowing aquarium heaters are an external type of equipment (the device works outside). Due to this, a lot of space remains in the pond. The heater is connected to the return filter hose. This way heat is better distributed. The plastic case is made of reliable material and protects the details of the device.

• Cables for heating water used in densely populated water bodies. They are attached to the bottom of the aquarium using suction cups. It is important that they are below the ground. Place the cable in a zigzag pattern over the entire area. When the heater is working, a weak water circulation is created, which pushes all the nutrient components closer to the roots of the plants.

• Heating mats. Such a heating pad is placed under the tank and provides uniform heating. The power of the devices is different and depends on the volume of the aquarium. For large bodies of water, several heaters are used. The disadvantage of such heaters is that heating the bottom of the tank creates a favorable environment for the development of dangerous bacteria.

Most often experienced aquarists use heaters with thermostat, which allows you to automatically control the temperature and prevent sudden changes. Heaters with a thermostat are also divided into several types.

• Electronic. Devices have high accuracy, but have an overpriced price.
• Mechanical. Cheaper equipment, but the temperature readings are often mistaken by a couple of degrees.

When choosing equipment for an aquarium, you need to pay attention to the manufacturers. A quality device is the key to the health of the small inhabitants of the reservoir. A list of the best models from popular manufacturers is presented below.

• Barbus Heater 009 50 W. Immersion heater. The casing is made of high quality metal and has double insulation of the heating elements. The device is equipped with an accurate temperature controller and a dial. Power devices - from 50 to 300 watts. 50 W models, which belong to the new generation of equipment, are in great demand. The device is mounted near a stream of water and does not come into contact with the ground.

• Xilong XL 999 500 W. The device is suitable for large bodies of water and is capable of supporting power up to 500 watts. The case is durable and airtight, which allows you to protect the working parts of the device.The temperature range is from 16 to 33 degrees. This provides an optimal balance of thermal indicators of water. The advantages include the sensitivity of the thermostat and the smooth operation of the handle. The heater is equipped with a dual temperature control system, which minimizes the appearance of sudden surges. The model also has a shutdown sensor and a light signal.

• Aquael Comfort Zone Gold 100 W. Equipment for heating has all the modern technical characteristics and is considered one of the most durable in operation. To ensure long-term operation, the heater contacts are coated with a layer of gold, which prevents oxidation. A relay is located in the device body, which controls the heat transfer. The temperature range is 18–32 degrees. The flask itself is made from shockproof materials: plastic and glass. The device is suitable for reservoirs from 60 to 100 liters. The presence of a ceramic radiator contributes to an even distribution of heat in the aquatic environment. Aquarium enthusiasts also note build quality and a 2-year warranty.

• Hydor External Aquarium Heater ETH 200 12. This brand has long established itself in the market as an experienced manufacturer of high-quality equipment for aquariums. Thanks to modern innovations and technologies, the device is the best heater concept. The model is designed for a reservoir volume of up to 200 l and has a capacity of 200 watts. The rugged case is made of ergonomic material and is shock resistant. The compact model is attached to the tank with a hose, the diameter of which is about 2 cm. The thermostat can be operated both in manual and automatic mode. A light indicator notifies you of the operation of the device, and the use of special technology prevents the equipment from overheating.

• Tetra HT 150. The submersible model has a flask with thick walls made of borosilicate glass. The thick-walled housing is resistant to temperature extremes and mechanical damage. The device is suitable for aquariums of 150–225 liters. Mounted on suction cups and has a power of 150 watts. Ceramic heating element is absolutely safe. Due to the properties of ceramics, it can be called durable. The temperature range is from 19 to 30 degrees. The upper limit is considered a drawback of the model, as for some manufacturers it can reach 34 degrees.

In order to choose the right water heater for the aquarium, you should be guided by some rules.

• The water heater must be selected with a thermostat. This will provide the most accurate control of the temperature in the pond.
• Some models are equipped with additional options, such as emergency shutdown of the device.
• When choosing, you should pay attention to the method of temperature regulation. In some devices, a range is specified, in other models, a specific indicator that must be adhered to.
• The heater for large and small ponds has a different area for heat transfer. Therefore, before buying, you should carefully read the instructions on the package.
• The choice is also based on the correct equipment. The kit must have a cover, special mounts and a cord.
• If the heater is purchased for a marine aquarium, then before buying you need to ask the seller if the salt will harm the heating element.

The type of substrate should also be considered. If the bottom is made of fine-grained soil, then bottom heaters in the form of a cable are best suited.

To check the working process of the heating equipment using a conventional thermometer.

Large ponds require more careful control of the temperature of the water. For such aquariums, several devices are used at once.

Also one of the main selection criteria is power equipment. The value is determined based on the volume of the tank. The device must have a power consumption of up to 1.5 W per 1 liter of water. This applies to models with and without a thermostat.

For a reservoir volume of 10 liters, the required power of the device is 25 watts. This indicator can be used in containers up to 25 liters. Ponds of 25–70 liters require a power of 50 watts. In large aquariums from 70 to 150 liters, models with a power consumption of up to 200 watts are used.

Experienced aquarists are advised to choose equipment with high power. Using this model, you can increase heat transfer if the room is not warm enough.

Proper installation of the heater has several aspects. Since the device is waterproof, it can be either placed above the surface of the water or completely immersed in water. It is important that the heater does not come into contact with the ground. The dive level must correspond to the special mark on the instrument (minimum water level). It is also necessary to adjust the volume of water from time to time, since liquids tend to evaporate.

The optimal location for the device is near the filter. Continuous air circulation promotes even heat distribution.

The heater is mounted on the wall of the tank using a bracket and several suction cups. This placement improves work efficiency. After installation, wait 15–20 minutes. The temperature of the equipment should be equal to the temperature of the underwater environment. After that, you can turn on the heater in the network.

Use the heater properly. For this, there is an instruction that comes with the product.

It is necessary to connect the device to the network, which must correspond to the indicators indicated on the package or in the instructions. In no case should you turn on the device that is not in water. Before any use of the heater, it is necessary to disconnect it from the network and make sure that the device does not work completely.

Do not use a defective appliance. Also Do not repair or replace the cord yourself. In this case, it is necessary to replace the entire product with new equipment.

In order to immerse the device in water correctly, It is necessary to focus on the mark of the minimum water level, which is located on the device. In this case, you must follow so that the top contacts do not touch the water surface.

Like all aquarium equipment, a water heater requires careful maintenance. Wipe the device from time to time and remove dirt from it.

Rapid heating of the water contributes to the aeration process. You must also install a special filter or compressor in the pond. Devices provide continuous circulation of water and air bubbles. As a rule, heaters are installed near the filters. This helps to quickly heat the water and raise the temperature of the water layers to the optimum level.

For how to choose a heater for the aquarium and install it correctly, see the next video.