Aquarium heater. Aquarium Heater Aquarium Heating Cables

To keep fish in a home pond you cannot do without additional equipment, for example, an aquarium heater is necessary for the normal growth and health of the inhabitants. With its help, a constant microclimate in the reservoir is achieved. Before purchasing, an aquarist must understand what it is for, how it works, how to choose the best one, and whether it is possible to make one yourself.

To maintain an optimal microclimate in your home pond, you need to properly install an aquarium water heater. There are special marks on the body of the device indicating the liquid level. The device is installed so that there is water above the bottom mark. Since the liquid evaporates over time, it will be necessary to periodically adjust its volume in the container.

Do not install the water heater on gravel or sand located at the bottom, otherwise the device will quickly fail.

The heater is fixed to the walls of the vessel using a bracket with suction cups. This improves heating performance and efficiency. After installation, you need to wait about 20 minutes before plugging it into the network. The device must equalize its temperature with the surrounding liquid, then heating will occur gradually and evenly.

Types

Aquarium water heaters are available in several types, although they are no different in operating principle - electrical heating in a sealed environment.

Submersible - comes in a durable case, similar to a glass, titanium or plastic flask. It is designed to be secured inside a container for the purpose of heating water.
Flow-through – produced in a plastic housing. Located outside the aquarium - attached to the tube external filter. This installation method allows you to save money and also create a flow of warm, oxygenated, water.
Heating cables– laid on the bottom of the container and covered with soil. They evenly heat the water in the home pond and additionally create liquid circulation.
Heating mats are located under the vessel. They evenly radiate heat passing through the bottom and heat the water.

Aquarium heaters with thermostat. They are considered the most convenient.

With thermostat

In conventional devices, after reaching the set temperature, it continues to work and heat the liquid. It needs to be constantly turned off and then turned on again so that the water does not have time to cool down.

Heaters for aquariums with a thermostat have a specially built-in sensor that turns it off at the desired temperature, and turns it on when the water cools down again.

There are different types of aquarium heaters with a thermostat:

Electronic thermal heaters. High accuracy, but high cost.
Mechanical. They cost much less than their electronic counterparts, but they are often mistaken in their readings by several degrees.

Calculation of required power

An important indicator when purchasing equipment is the choice of power, which depends on the volume of the container. Most often, it is enough to purchase a thermostat for the aquarium or a simple heater with a power of 1–1.5 watts per 1 liter of water. It is better to choose devices that have a small reserve, so that when disconnected central heating, it was possible to increase the heating.

With your own hands

When deciding to make a water heater for an aquarium with your own hands, you need to take into account the risk of electric shock during its operation. Although many are able to make safe aquarium heaters.

For production you will need:

resistance resistors;
a piece of tube with thick walls;
dry filler;
durable thermostat.

Manufacturing scheme:

The number of identical resistors to generate suitable power is calculated.
The size of the glass tube is determined (depending on the number of resistors). You should leave approximately 15 cm of free space in the tube.
Dry filler is selected. Cleaned and calcined sand is suitable.
The bottom of the tube is coated with sealant (for insulation), and then closed with a rubber stopper.
A power wire connected to the thermostat is soldered to the upper and lower resistors.
The heater is placed vertically inside so that the top of the tube does not show out of the water. The device must be secured to the walls of the vessel using suction cups.

Which one to choose

Choice aquarium heater must be done carefully, since the health of the inhabitants of the home pond may depend on this. The thermostat must meet several points:

optimal power;
presence of a thermostat;
type of device;
ease of installation and fastening;
proven manufacturer.

Selection rules

The power of the device must correspond to the size of the aquarium.
To check operation, it is better to use an additional thermometer.
If the bottom of the vessel is strewn with small pebbles, it is better to choose a heater in the form of a thermal cable to control the water temperature.
For large aquariums, several devices with high power are needed.

The best

There are many manufacturers on the market, but only a few of them are worth considering.

Heaters for aquariums with a Juwel thermostat are available in several versions, with different powers. They have universal fastenings suitable for different types containers.
Tetra devices have a special regulator for heating water in the aquarium. Sealed lids and housing allow you to fearlessly immerse it in water. Often used for large aquariums. You can check whether the device is working using the indicator light. Tetra has a double heating element. It distributes heat evenly. There are convenient suction cups for attaching to the walls.
The compact Aquael device is mounted on glass in any position, does not burn the inhabitants and has a built-in overheating system. It is easy to install and easy to maintain.

Purpose

Breeding some species of fish is not possible without heaters. The aquarium heater is responsible for creating a comfortable living environment. Using such a device allows you to heat the water to the desired temperature and maintain it while it is working. In addition, it prevents the contents from stagnating in the home pond. Many fish do not tolerate sudden temperature changes in their habitat, and they can get sick and die.

First of all, you need to follow the rules of care. From time to time, wipe the surface of the thermostat in the aquarium and remove frozen dirt.
Need to follow additional measures safety, since during operation there is a risk of damage to the cable, which can lead to a short circuit.
Before washing, the devices in the aquarium must be turned off.
Do not disassemble the heater while washing; wipe only the outside.
The device must be used for its intended purpose.
If the thermal cord or power cord is damaged, you should immediately stop using this device.
Even if you buy the most expensive heater, in addition you need to install a thermometer, which will check the thermostat readings.

Proper operation of the heater will allow you to maintain a certain water temperature constantly and distribute it evenly throughout the entire volume of your home reservoir.

The time has come when you want to buy a beautiful aquarium. There are many devices technical means to contain and maintain aquarium inhabitants in an aquarium close to their real life conditions.

The main tools in an aquarium to maintain the conditions that aquarium fish need are: an aquarium heater, a compressor, a filter, lighting and oxygen. The question immediately arises: how to install a heater in an aquarium?

Below in the article we will look at how to choose and then install the optimal heater for your aquarium. You can buy an aquarium heater, filter and compressor in any store that specializes in sales aquarium fish. In the future, you will not have to place the aquarium near it.

1 How to choose the right aquarium water heater

You can't do without a heater and compressor. The heater maintains the desired water temperature, and the compressor supplies oxygen to the aquarium fish.

Among novice aquarists, the question arises of how powerful an aquarium water heater should be, and what reasons affect the water temperature in the aquarium:

Approximately 0.6 W of aquarium heater power per liter of water. Also, when choosing an aquarium heater, you need to consider several of the following factors:

What is the room temperature, where is your aquarium located;
Drafts in the room;
What shape is your aquarium, its capacity;
Placing an aquarium in the house;
The presence of a lid on the aquarium and lighting.

The aquarium heater is selected in accordance with the above factors. The main thing in an aquarium heater is its power, which is selected in accordance with the size of the aquarium.

If you decide to purchase an aquarium heater with a thermostat, then it is better to buy it with a power reserve, from a good, trusted manufacturer.

Today there are many companies and manufacturers producing aquarium heaters:

Aquarium water heater JBL (JBL) ProTemp S 150, 150 W– produced with a 150 W thermostat. The thermostat is covered with a plastic casing to prevent aquarium inhabitants from getting burns. When this heater is removed from the water, the protection is triggered and the heater is immediately turned off. The price of a heater for an aquarium of this type will cost you from 1000 rubles and more.

Aquarium heater Resun (Resan) SUNLIKE 50 — consists of a quartz case with a two-layer coating. It has an automation system. When using this aquarium heater, it is completely immersed in water. When the desired temperature is set, the heater turns itself off. When the water temperature in the aquarium drops, the heater automatically turns on itself. The price of a water heater for an aquarium of this type will cost you from 500 rubles and more.

Aquarium heater Aquael- produced with gold-plated contacts. These contacts increase the service life of the aquarium heater. It has power adjustment, with which you can set any temperature in your aquarium. It has a beautiful black body that does not spoil the appearance in the aquarium. It can be used in both freshwater and marine aquariums. On average, the price of an aquael aquarium heater will cost you from 720 rubles and more.

2 Types of heaters for aquariums.

Today there are many types of aquarium heaters. Here are a few of them:

Submersible water heater for aquarium – this type ensures uniform and constant heating of water in the aquarium.

A submersible water heater circulates water in your aquarium, thereby creating an aquifer. Such heaters are easy to control and use. They easily connect to the thermoregulation system.

This heater must be used by immersing it completely in water. This type is attached using ordinary suction cups and has a silicone winding. Due to this, their service life increases.

Important!!! It is strictly forbidden to turn on the aquarium water heater without immersing it in water.

Instantaneous water heater for aquarium - works as follows. This type of heater passes a flow of water through itself. This type of heater contains a special heating element that heats the water.

In other words, it turns on automatically when water flows through it. In this heater, the most important thing is the heating element, which must be of high power.

The disadvantage of this flow heater for an aquarium is that it consumes a lot of energy. Buy an aquarium heater of this type, you can from 2740 rubles and above.

You must purchase a thermometer for your aquarium heater. Today there are possible types of thermometers. The most optimal would be a mercury thermometer, which is installed in a vertical position on the other edge of the aquarium from the heater. There are also electronic thermometers that are equipped with a sound signal.

Recently, liquid crystal thermometers have begun to be used. It looks like a regular ruler with a scale. The downside of this thermometer is its inaccurate reading of water temperature. We do not recommend using such thermometers.

2.1 Maintenance of aquarium heaters

Over time, aquarium water heaters begin to not heat the water well enough, and dirt begins to appear on them.

To prevent this from happening, you need to periodically clean the aquarium heater. To do this, you do not need to completely disassemble the heater. First of all, when cleaning an aquarium heater, you need to disconnect it from the electrical network.

After this, the heater body can be cleaned with a regular hard sponge. If there are boiler stones on the heater, they are removed with a special tool. After this, the heater is washed running water and put back into the aquarium. This procedure must be done every two months.

2.2 Aquael aquarium heater review - video

To maintain the normal functioning of your pet fish, you need to install a water heater. Its presence is mandatory. It does not depend on the room temperature. In this article we will try to answer the questions: how to choose the right water heater for an aquarium and how to install it.

What is a fish water heater?

An aquarium water heater is a special device for heating water. It helps ensure comfortable life to your fish. It is especially necessary for tropical species, where the water temperature should be at least 22 and no more than 30 degrees. It is often believed that an aquarium water heater is a simple and optional device. Although in importance it is equal to a water filter.

Previously, salt heaters were most often found. They functioned by passing electricity through a solution. But consumers had to independently regulate the level of saline liquid. Therefore, this type gradually became a thing of the past. At the moment, there are a large number of different devices for heating water in a fish house.

Types of water heaters

There are various devices for heating water in an aquarium. Basically, they can all be divided into four main types. Firstly, these are submersible models. They have several subtypes:

Glass. The device body is shock-resistant and heat-resistant. It closes hermetically. It turns on and off automatically, while maintaining the set temperature.
Plastic. Technically advanced heater compared to glass. It has compact dimensions, flat shape and LED signal.
Model with titanium heating element. Can be used for any aquarium. Perfect for heating large volumes of water, for example, if you keep turtles rather than fish.
Mini heaters. They are characterized by a flat design, which allows you to hide such a device even under the ground in an aquarium.

Secondly, it is available for sale for an aquarium. Mainly used for external filters, which allows you to leave more space in the aquarium itself. A vertical filter return hose is attached, which allows the heat to be distributed evenly. Thirdly, you can buy heating cables for heating water. They also provide a smooth supply of heat, pass along the bottom, and are attached using suction cups. Fourthly, it is possible to use They can be located under the aquarium. Provide smooth heat dissipation.

Making a water heater at home

Sometimes it is not possible to purchase even the simplest device for heating water. In this case, you should make a water heater for these purposes. There are many in various ways. Let's look at one of them step by step:

First you need to find a container that can withstand temperature changes and not burst. A regular glass medicine bottle may work. To check, place it in a container of water at room temperature, holding it with tweezers. Pour boiling water: if there is no damage, you can use such a container.
The heater may have one or more resistors connected in series. In this case there will be several of them. We prepare resistors for placement. You can make a kind of valve to prevent sand from getting outside the heating part.
If desired, you can solder the LED. It will signal that the heater is turned on.
We check whether the part responsible for heating is working. To do this, briefly plug in the device and check the temperature of the device. Place the resistors in the prepared container. Just fill it with sand or salt first.
We take a heat gun or glue for gluing aquariums. And we fill all the remaining space in the water heater.
For ease of fastening, you can purchase a suction cup. You just need to remove the hook from it.
Using fishing line, attach the suction cup to the heater.

That's all the steps that are required to self-made device for heating water in an aquarium. If you are not ready to take on the work yourself, it is better to contact specialty stores. The choice is very varied: you can buy one or another water heater for an aquarium. The price will vary depending on the type, power and manufacturer. Typically the cost varies from 800 to 2,000 rubles.

Popular brands of aquarium water heaters

When you come to a pet store to purchase a water heating device, the question arises: which model is better? As practice shows, purchase better water heater for aquariums from well-known and trusted brands. Leading manufacturers of such devices include products from Aquael, Eheim, Hagen, JBL, Tetra and Xilong.

Thus, the water heater has long conquered the markets, thanks to its good price-quality ratio. Mostly model range glass and plastic models are replenished. To optimize the use of such a device, the manufacturer suggests installing control buttons and a built-in electronic thermometer on plastic water heaters.

Eheim offers rod-shaped water heaters. Thanks to the glass body and full immersion The water is heated evenly. And a manufacturer of aquarium thermostats, such as Tetra, equips the device with an additional device. Such devices operate effectively in automatic mode.

How to choose the right water heater for you?

Let's say you decide to buy a water heater for an aquarium. How to choose it? It’s worth thinking about this in advance so that when you come to the store you already know exactly what you want. You should pay attention to the length, which should correspond to the water level in the container. Domestic heaters are all the same in length. If you purchase a model without automatic adjustment, you will have to calculate the temperature so that the water does not overheat in hot weather. Or you can install two such devices and turn off one of them in summer weather.

There are two opinions regarding the advisability of using an automatic temperature controller. Some believe that the liquid should change its thermal regime at different times of the day, as in its natural environment. Automation cannot provide this. Others, on the contrary, are sure that the aquarium should have a constant temperature.

In order not to make a mistake with the power, it is better to choose a more powerful water heater for an aquarium, with automatic adjustment. This way you can set the heating to turn off when a certain temperature is reached. In this case, be sure to pay attention to the quality and, accordingly, to the manufacturer.

What information will you find in the instructions for use for the water heater?

Besides technical characteristics device, which can be found in the instructions for use for the water heater, it is worth considering the recommendations for installing and adjusting the device. When you purchase a water heater for an aquarium, how to install it correctly will be described in the instructions. There you can find the following recommendations: The device can be completely submerged in water as it is waterproof. Do not install the heater in gravel or sand. Don't forget also about the decrease in water level due to evaporation. The water heater must be fixed in a place where constant and uniform circulation of water is ensured. Special attention give next moment: Only 15 minutes after lowering the device into the water can you connect it to the network.

Recommendations for adjustment are as follows: you need to wait until the heater warms up a little - to the temperature of the surrounding water. Only after this should it be turned on. When the indicator light is on, it means that the device is turned on. Further recommendations will be different depending on the presence or absence of automatic adjustment. Read the instructions before installing the device. Important Tips for a specific model will be indicated there.

Many aquarium fish They come from the tropics, so the optimal water temperature for their life is 26-27 degrees. Therefore, heating the water is mandatory; installing a heater in the aquarium is important point when arranging “housing” for its inhabitants. If in summer time maintain a suitable microclimate in artificial reservoir is possible without much difficulty, then in winter, without a special device for heating water, the fish may die. Let's figure out how to do this kind of work with your own hands.

Why is a heater needed?

Do you need a water heater in an aquarium and how to use it?

IN winter time The water in the aquarium may be excessively cold.
The water temperature is different day and night, and fish do not tolerate such changes well.
For many fish, the optimal environmental temperature is higher than room temperature, and the water will not warm up to the required temperature on its own.

Important! Modern models water heaters maintain the best microclimate. They are equipped with temperature sensors to prevent the water from overheating.

Aquarium thermostats

These are devices with a built-in thermostat. You set the required water temperature, and the device heats it up to the required numbers. After this, it automatically turns off, turning on after the medium begins to cool.

There are 2 types of such water heating devices.

Mechanical.
Electronic.

Important! Mechanical devices are less accurate (the error is from 1 to 2 degrees), but have a lower cost. Electronic devices much more accurate, but their cost is much higher.

Most devices come without a built-in thermometer. The device supports optimal temperature, but does not show its value. Therefore, you need to purchase a special thermometer for water along with the thermostat.

Choosing aquarium water heater, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

Correct selection of power.
The presence of thermoregulation.

Important! It is believed that a 10 W device is enough to heat 4.5 liters of water. For an artificial reservoir of larger volume, it is better to buy not one powerful device, but several low-power ones: this way it is easier to heat the water to optimal levels.

Advantages

Modern models of water heating devices have the following advantages:

Reliability.
Possibility of placement under water.
Safety.

Important! During prolonged use, the device may produce errors, so it must be checked periodically using a regular thermometer.

Now about which water heater for an aquarium is better. If you are using shallow soil, it is advisable to use a thermal cable heater. In this case, you not only maintain the necessary characteristics of the environment, but also create best conditions for aquatic plants. In addition, heated water freely rises to the surface without stagnating in the ground.

How to properly install a heater in an aquarium (video)?

Depending on the installation method, there are 2 types of aquarium water heaters:

Non-submersible. These models go down to a certain point. Upper part the device is above the surface.

Important! The disadvantage of non-submersible devices is their short service life.

Submersible. Such devices have a longer service life because they are completely submerged in water.

How to properly install a heater in an aquarium?

The device cannot be installed close to the surface, since during evaporation its upper part may be exposed to air, which leads to failure of the heater.
Do not install the tube at the bottom of the aquarium. Minimum distance from the bottom is 20 mm.
The tube is installed near the oxygen filter. Air emissions contribute to uniform heating of the water mass throughout the aquarium.
After the device is installed, you cannot immediately connect it to the network. Keep the time for about half an hour. In this case, the temperature of the heater and the medium will be equal.

Important! If you do not wait this time, the glass may crack. If you want to clean the aquarium, the device must be turned off.

Care issues

The device must not be disassembled. Caring for it is quite simple: its surface needs to be periodically cleaned with a soft sponge. The boiler stone must be removed by special means. After the heater is cleared of stone, it should be rinsed thoroughly.

Video material

That's it! No difficulties in installing the heater correctly in the aquarium , No. The main thing is to comply with all parameters and monitor the functionality of the device.

One of the most important factors The safe keeping of aquarium fish is the water temperature, sometimes up to +27 °C. Without human intervention, it is almost impossible to provide the necessary parameters. Aquarium heaters are used for this, often with a thermostat. We will talk about their types and methods of use in this article.

Briefly about the purpose

The water in the aquarium can cool down in a few minutes. This is especially true for the cold season, when the temperature of residential premises depends on the weather and the conscientiousness of the stokers.

Did you know? The aquarium, made of gold, costs $5 million and is called the Golden Dragon.

There are many more factors that affect temperature that a novice aquarist may not even be aware of. For example:

warmth from lighting fixtures and the distance from them containers;
design: shape, volume, is there a lid, a gasket under the container, the presence of an internal volumetric background, is it located on a stand;
is there a flow system from the water supply;
number of water changes.

Therefore, you cannot do without heating the water in the aquarium. Heaters are used for this purpose.

Species

Aquarium heaters are divided into three types based on location.

1. Remote. Their advantages:

are not contaminated by waste products of the inhabitants;
increased service life;
relatively cheap.

2. Containers built directly into the body, complete with heating element.

3. Submersibles look like a cylinder that is lowered into the water. The body is made from:

plastics;
glass;
titanium.

And now more about each type of water heater in an aquarium.

Heaters

The simplest device - water heater in an aquarium without a thermostat. It is a glass or metal tube with a sealed inside nichrome thread. According to the principle of operation, it vaguely resembles the well-known boiler. In Soviet times, during the era of total shortages, it was the boiler that was used as a replacement for the heater. Even now, experienced fish lovers do not disdain this primitive device - in a hopeless situation, of course.

You need to very clearly grasp the moment when the boiler needs to be removed, so as not to end up with fish soup made from precious fish. Some craftsmen connect a boiler with temperature sensors. However modern market aquarium equipment provides a lot of options for ensuring such indicators as temperature.

Electromechanical thermostats

An improved mechanical heater is a metal or glass tube filled with a heater and thermostat, hermetically sealed. Thermostat- bimetallic plate. The property of metals to expand when heated ensures automatic switching on and off.

This device is reliable in operation, but sometimes distorts the indicators. To prevent troubles, measure the water temperature with a regular thermometer.

Electronic thermostats

It looks like a tube. Inside there is an electronic “filling” that provides functions. Such a thermostat has capabilities that Soviet aquarists could see only in a dream or in Western European specialty stores, if they managed to get abroad.

The advantages include:

high accuracy (up to 0.1°C);
presence of an electronic scoreboard;
sound alarm when overheating.

Flaws:

high cost;
unreliability.

Did you know? The first aquarium was created in England in the 19th century.

Heating cables

They are a long elastic tube with a heating element, which is installed in the soil of the container.

Advantages:

the entire mass of water is heated evenly;
additional circulation is created;
the aesthetic component wins;
very useful for plants planted in an aquarium.

Flaws:

when replacing faulty cables, you have to disturb the entire interior;
The ecosystem design has limitations - heavy stones cannot be used, which can squeeze or damage the heating system.

Heating mats

Rugs, or heating mats, placed under the container. The operating principle is the same as heated floors, water mattresses, heating pads.

Advantages:

water and soil are evenly heated from below, which is extremely beneficial for plants;
cold layers do not stagnate at the bottom, the environment in the entire aquarium is the same temperature.

The disadvantages include inconvenient installation and replacement - you have to remove the aquarium. If it is big, then it becomes clear that this is a whole undertaking that cannot be done without help.

Flow thermostats

This device is mounted vertically on the return hose of the external filter. Appreciated by fans. It provides:

interior improvement;
stable flow of warm water.

Flaws:

used only in large volumes;
There are no low power devices on sale.

Thermofilters

Thermofilter- a device built into external system equipment.

Important! The entire life support system in the aquarium depends on the smooth operation of this device.

Advantages:

has a digital display;
reliable in operation;
heating accuracy is high;
does not spoil the design.

How to make a choice?

To ensure optimal temperature regime residents will have to resolve the issue - how to choose a heater for an aquarium.

You should be guided by a number of rules that have been developed by generations of aquarists and which are successfully applied to this day. Experienced amateurs advise:

buy an aquarium heater with an automatic thermostat in one housing and with more power than needed in terms of volume;
do not save when purchasing;
buy only branded products;
after purchase in manual mode, use a thermometer to check the correct settings of the thermostat;
pay attention to the safety of the device - it must have good electrical insulation;
choose a heater with a grill to protect the fish from burns.

In practice, automatic thermostats that have been in operation for more than a year do not always turn off. There is no consensus on the use of an aquarium automatic thermostat. Some hobbyists believe that at night the temperature of the water in the aquarium should drop, as in nature. Others are of the opinion that this is not at all necessary, since some fish live at the same temperature year-round for 20 years, and nothing bad is done to them.

Depending on what point of view a particular amateur adheres to, the question of whether he needs an automatic thermostat or not is decided.

The following brands of equipment for aquariums are known:

They produce immersion heaters, which have proven to be high-quality and reliable, designed for aquariums from 25 liters to 300 liters. They are also suitable for containers up to 1500 l.

Calculation of power depending on the volume and temperature of water

As already noted, the most important thing when choosing a heater is the power rating. It should have an indicator of 1 W per 1 liter, but in practice 0.7–0.8 W per 1 liter is used. It follows from this that before you buy a heater, you need to calculate its power. You can also adjust your own calculations using the parameters indicated on the device packaging.

Important! If you install a heater that is more powerful than necessary, it will continually turn on and off and thus will not last long.

The approximate volume-power correspondence is as follows:

25W - 10-25 l.
50W - 30-60 l.
75W - 60-80 l.
100W - 80-120 l.
150W - 120-170 l.
200W - 170-220 l.
250W - 220-280 l.
300W - 280-350 l.

This is a relatively rough estimate. It is imperative to take into account the difference between the desired temperature in the aquarium and the actual temperature in the room. It is important to remember that the heater must keep the temperature at a constant level.

Experienced aquarists place two heaters at half power at different ends of the aquarium, which ensures more uniform heating. From time to time, the water temperature is controlled manually; there is no need to recklessly trust the technology, it also sometimes fails.

Did you know? The aquarium, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, has a volume of 22.7 thousand cubic meters.

Breeding fish has its own subtleties. And the more their lover knows, the more luxurious his aquarium will be. I am happy myself and pleased to see the admiration on the faces of friends and acquaintances who came to visit.