Many electrical enthusiasts and people who are familiar with the basics of electronics make such water heaters with their own hands. Previously, self-made salt water heaters were very popular. It is worth noting that such homemade devices are capable of closing if water gets inside the sealed flask, and it is extremely difficult to ensure such a tightness with your own hands. Making a water heater yourself is difficult and dangerous, but possible. Do-it-yourself water heaters were popular about five years ago, when there were no high-quality water heaters on the market. affordable prices. Nowadays, the situation has changed and you can purchase a high-quality device in almost any store for aquarists.

Proper use of a water heater and compliance with basic safety measures when using electrical appliances will help provide the tropical inhabitants of the aquarium with the temperature necessary for a comfortable and active life. It is better to buy a water heater in a specialized store than to make it yourself, especially if the aquarium is inhabited by rare and expensive species of fish or plants.

Currently, there are a large number of people who like to keep exotic fish at home. And their maintenance and breeding cannot be done without special equipment. If you are going to have fish in an aquarium, you will definitely need a water heater. With its help, it is possible to maintain the optimal temperature in artificial reservoir for the full development and functioning of residents.

There is a wide variety of aquarium heaters:

1. Submersible. They are made from a variety of materials (plastic, titanium, glass). They have the shape of a flask with a heating element inserted inside it. This heater is partially or completely lowered into the aquatic environment.
2. . The thermostat of this type of device is located outside the aquarium. This saves interior space.
   
   
3. Heating cables. Perfect for heating round aquariums. The cable is placed underground. This ensures even heating of the water.
   
   
4. Mats for heating water. They should be installed under the aquarium. The water is heated through the bottom of the container.
   
   

Aquarium heater with thermostat

If the aquarium contains tropical fish, the water temperature should be an order of magnitude higher than the air temperature in the room. To maintain uniform water temperature during the day and night, aquarium heaters with a special thermostat are installed. The latter is equipped with a sensor. It heats the water to the set temperature, after which it turns off the heating element. When the water temperature begins to drop, the thermostat turns the device back on.

The thermostat allows you to maintain a certain microclimate, and aquarists do not have to worry that their pets will die due to hypothermia or overheating of the water.

There are two types of thermostats:

Thermostats are also divided into:

1. Built-in. Together with the heating element they are located in a sealed housing, which is installed directly into the aquatic environment.
2. Remote. Installed outside the aquarium. They are connected using a wire to a temperature sensor located in the aquarium.

Using a water heater

The water heater should be used strictly according to the following rules:

1. The heater is turned on only after immersion in an aquatic environment.
2. Before immersing the heater in water, you need to unplug all electrical appliances.
3. Do not use damaged water heaters.
4. If the wire is damaged, the entire device should be replaced, not just the wire.
5. Use the water heater strictly for its intended purpose.

Installation

To maintain the desired microclimate in the aquatic environment, you need to know how to install a heater in an aquarium. The water heater can be installed in both horizontal and vertical positions. When installed vertically, the adjustment handle should be positioned above water level. When positioned horizontally, the heater is completely immersed in the aquatic environment.

The body of the heater is usually marked with water immersion level marks. The appliance must be installed so that the water is above the minimum immersion level. Over time, water evaporates, so you need to ensure that it does not fall below the minimum level.

The heater must not be installed in gravel or sand.

A bracket is installed under the heater head, which is attached to the wall of the aquarium using suction cups.

Please note that the installed device can only be turned on after 15-20 minutes. During this time, the temperature of the heater will become equal to the temperature of the water in the artificial reservoir. Only after this the device is connected to the network.

How to make it yourself

By making a device for heating an aquarium yourself, you can save significantly. The most ancient method of heating water was burning dry fuel. For this purpose, the aquarium was equipped with a small firebox. This method was used mainly when transporting fish, especially in winter time. We can only imagine how troublesome this was.

Over time, people learned to make an aquarium heater with their own hands - from a resistor. To do this, the latter was placed in the middle of an ordinary test tube. Due to the fact that air does not conduct heat well, test tubes began to fill the void between the resistor and glass quartz sand. The neck of the test tube was filled with a waterproof compound. According to users, such a heater is quite capable.

There is also a salt heater for an aquarium. Let's look at how to make it yourself.

Before you start making a salt heater, you need to familiarize yourself with the safety rules for working with electrical appliances.

Required materials:

1. Plastic bottle.
2. Electrical cable with plug (can be removed from a broken device).
3. 2 copper rings 15-20 mm long.
4. Medium hard wire 20 cm long.

First of all, you need to make three holes in the bottle cap. We insert two wires with stripped edges into two holes. Copper rings are attached to the wires and flattened using a hammer. Under no circumstances should the ends of the wires touch each other, otherwise short circuit. You need to place weights in the bottle; for this you can use soil from an aquarium or stones.

Fill the bottle with water. The wires must be located below water level. The third hole in the plug is needed for condensation to escape. To attach a home-made heater, we use a medium-hard wire. We wrap one end of the wire around the neck of the bottle, and bend the other in the shape of a hook and hang it on the wall of the aquarium. We place our device for heating water in the aquarium so that the neck is above the water level of the artificial reservoir.

Why is the heater stated to be salt? It's simple! To regulate its temperature you need to add it to the bottle. brine . To increase the temperature, add more solution. It is very important not to overdo it, otherwise you risk losing your pets due to boiling water. All manipulations with homemade water heater carry out only after disconnecting from the network.

For creation homemade heater Only take it if you have at least a little experience in electrical repair! Otherwise, it can be dangerous for both you and your pets.

For the full development and functioning of tropical fish, you simply cannot do without aquarium heater. It doesn’t matter whether you bought it in a store or decided to make it yourself, the main thing is to follow safety precautions when working with it.

The most important condition for the favorable functioning of your aquarium is maintaining a certain temperature that is optimal for a particular type of fish. Typically, fish need a temperature of 22 to 32 degrees, depending on their species.
Until recently, aquarists actively used simple
heaters. In some specialized stores Heaters are still sold, but purchasing them is not recommended. Now the blessed era of thermostats has arrived. The power of thermostats depends on how large the aquarium is. Experts recommend a power of 1.5 watts per 1 liter of water. For example: a 100 liter aquarium will require a 150 watt heater.
Fish owners should also know that the colder the room, the faster the water in the aquarium cools, and the greatest cooling occurs in aquariums with a large area of ​​​​its walls.

Therefore, it is best to purchase heaters “with a reserve”, i.e., more powerful ones. Such heaters easily and quickly cope with temperature drops, operate smoothly, without overheating, and last much longer. But powerful heaters must be of high quality.
It would also be useful to know that the cost of a heater does not particularly depend on its power, and neither does energy consumption. The whole question is the reliability of the device, i.e., the thermostat and the heating element. If the thermostat of a powerful heater breaks down, the inhabitants of the aquarium have two little comforting options - to die either from the cold or from unusual high temperature water. Some, in order to avoid such sad consequences, purchase 2 medium-power heaters. If one thermostat fails, another will maintain the optimal living environment. If one of the thermostats breaks down, the water will not reach critical temperature, and the fish will be fine in the end. But, as you know, good things don’t come cheap. A couple of high-quality heaters will cost you twice as much as one simple one. The right to choose is yours.

Using a water heater

Heaters are manufactured in accordance with currently valid safety standards. The heater may only be turned on when electrical network with the parameters corresponding to those indicated on the heater itself and its packaging. It is forbidden to turn on the heater when it is removed from the water. Before each operation related to the heater, you MUST DISCONNECT the voltage. Before you put your hand in the water, make sure that the heater and all electrical appliances in the aquarium are UNCONNECTED from the mains. Do not use a damaged heater or a heater with a damaged wire. The connecting wire must not be changed or repaired; in this case, the entire heater must be replaced. Also DO NOT MOUNT A SWITCH on a wire.
The water level must always be above the minimum immersion level, the MINIMUM WATER LEVEL mark marked on the heater body. The maximum immersion depth of the heater is 80 cm. The heater is intended for use only in enclosed spaces and exclusively in aquariums.

How to install a heater in an aquarium

The heater is waterproof, and it can be installed in the aquarium both in a vertical position - with the adjustment handle located above the water surface, and in a horizontal position - completely submerged. Do not insert the heater into sand or gravel. The water level must always be above the minimum immersion level, the MINIMUM WATER LEVEL mark marked on the heater body. It is necessary to remember that the water level is constantly decreasing as a result of evaporation. The heater is attached to the wall of the aquarium using a bracket with two suction cups, which should be attached to the heater directly below the head. The heater must be fixed in the aquarium in a place where there is constant and uniform circulation of water. ATTENTION! Only about 15 minutes after installing the heater in the aquarium, when the temperature of the bimetallic switch in the heater becomes equal to the temperature of the water in the aquarium, can the heater be connected to the power supply.

Types of Aquarium Heaters

To be able to create as much as possible comfortable conditions For the habitat of fish and plants, special devices are used - aquarium heaters. There are several types of them, but the principle of operation is the same for all - electrical heating of the element in a sealed environment. The most commonly used heaters are:

Submersible(plastic, glass, titanium). It consists of a heating element built into an impact-resistant, heat-resistant body in the form of a flask or elongated cylinder, and is designed to be lowered into an aqueous environment.

Flow-through. Has a plastic housing and is mounted in a vertical position on the return hose external filter, which saves internal space and creates a flow of warm, aerated water.

Heating cables. They are installed under and allow you to evenly heat the entire aquarium and create additional water circulation.

Heating mats. They are rectangular mats that are installed under the aquarium. The heat generated passes evenly through the bottom and increases the temperature of the water.

DIY aquarium heater

When making such a device, you need to remember that the operating conditions are associated with a serious risk of electric shock.

But if the decision is made in favor of a handicraft, then there is good option with the creation of a structure from resistors (resistances), a piece of glass tube with thick walls, dry filler and remote thermostat. Installation work occurs in the following order.

1. The power of the heating element is determined based on a special table, which takes into account the difference in temperature between that required in the aquarium and room temperature. Calculated required strength current by dividing the selected power by the applied voltage. By dividing the voltage used by the calculated current, you can obtain the resistance value of the heater. Selected required quantity identical resistors so that their total power and resistance indicator corresponds to the calculated values.

2. The length and diameter of the glass tube are determined based on the size and number of resistances.

It is important that the resistors soldered in series are placed in the tube with a free space of 15 cm.

3. Cleaned and calcined sand can be used as a filler.

4. The bottom of the glass tube is closed with a suitable rubber stopper placed on the aquarium sealant.

5. The ends of the network cable are soldered to the upper and lower resistors . The entire structure is placed in a tube and covered with sand. It is important that the sand is at the bottom of the tube and covers the top resistor.

6. The top of the tube is carefully sealed with aquarium sealant. The power cable is connected to a thermostat with a remote temperature sensor, which in turn is placed in the aquarium.

7.The heater is placed vertically in such a way that the part of the tube containing the resistors is hidden under water. The structure is attached to the wall of the aquarium using special suction cups.

Schemes for manufacturing the thermostat itself based on a comparator and thermistors have also been developed.

Aquarium heater with thermostat

The main inconveniences when using the heater are related to with the need to constantly monitor its work. Even having reached the desired water temperature, the device still continues to function and must be disconnected from the network manually.

To get rid of this problem, a special device is used - a thermostat, which is a device with a built-in temperature sensor. It allows you to turn off the heating element when a preset value is reached and turn it on again when the water begins to cool.

This ensures a stable microclimate without temperature changes. Application modern technologies allows the production of very compact and easy-to-use thermostats.

According to manufacturing technology, they are divided into two types.

Electronic. Possess high accuracy(most of them are equipped with an information board). Disadvantages include the relative high cost and lack of reliability.

Mechanical. They are found most often, are characterized by stability and reliability during operation, and are cheaper in price. They often distort real readings by several degrees, so to accurately adjust the device, you must use a separate thermometer.

According to the level of safety during operation and durability of the devices, thermostats are divided into:

• Remote - located outside the aquarium, not subject to the influence of the aquatic environment and the waste products of aquatic organisms. This increases their service life and makes it possible to use cheaper heaters and replace them without additional costs. To determine the operating mode, a separate temperature sensor is used, which is located in the aquarium and connected by a wire to the thermostat.

The latter type of design is the most popular among aquarists and is often made in the form of an elongated glass flask, inside which is located electric heater and a thermostat. For greater thermal conductivity, the space of the flask is filled with the smallest ceramic filler.

The tightness of the structure is ensured by a rubberized or plastic cap through which the power wire passes. There is also a regulator here that allows you to set the required temperature.

Well-known brands - Eheim, Fluval, Ferplast, Aquael, Tetra - produce reliable and high-quality submersible heaters for aquariums with a power thermostat from 25 to 300 W. Such devices are capable of providing necessary conditions in aquariums up to 1500 liters.

To reduce the likelihood of water overheating, there is a practice of simultaneously using several less powerful thermal devices.

In case it is not possible to purchase necessary equipment, you can do it yourself.

Our selection of the three best aquarium heaters from Aliexpress

Aquarium heater 25 W/300 W

This heating rod can provide the right warmth and maintain the temperature of the water inside the tank. It can automatically adjust the temperature as needed for the fish in the aquarium.

Peculiarities:
The temperature scale can be adjusted between 20~34℃(68~93°F).
Fully submersible, waterproof double insulation, durable and safe design.
Power indicator, ensures safe operation.
Can automatically adjust the temperature, good for fish in aquarium.
Specifications:
Color: black
Material: Glass
Plug: EU plug
Power: 25W/50W/100W/200W/300W (optional)
Voltage: 220-240 V
Frequency: 50/60 Hz
Temperature Range: 20~34℃/68~93°F
Item Length:
25W: 20.5cm/8in
50W: 21cm/8.27in
100W: 25.5cm/10in
200W: 29cm/11.43in
300W: 29cm/11.43in
Cable length: approx. 85cm/33.5in
Package Size:
25W: 26.5*7*4cm/10.4*2.76*1.57in (L*W*H)
50W: 26.5*7*4cm/10.4*2.76*1.57in (L*W*H)
100W: 30.5*7*4cm/12*2.76*1.57in (L*W*H)
200W: 36.5*7*4cm/14.4*2.76*1.57in (L*W*H)
300W: 36.5*7*4cm/14.4*2.76*1.57in (L*W*H)
Package Weight: 170g~230g/6oz~8.1oz
Note:
1. This item is only suitable for fresh water.
2. The heating rod must be completely immersed in water
3. When the indicator is on, it works.
4. Before cleaning the fish tank or heating rod, please turn off the power for 15-20 minutes to cool down the heating rod.
Package list:
1 * Heating Rod

Price: 664.37 - 819.62 rub. / piece

Special price:

418.29 - 516.59 rub. / piece

Stainless Steel Aquarium Heater with LCD Digital Thermometer

Ideal Aquarium Temperature Controller Kit Consists of: Stainless steel Water heater and LCD immersion thermometer.
Both are fully submersible, waterproof double insulation, durable and safe design.
With the easy-to-read LCD display for this thermometer, you can easily keep track of the temperature in your aquarium.
The convector will turn off automatically when the temperature is reached. A sensitive and reliable thermostat maintains an even temperature.
Parameters:
Heater:

Model: immersion heater for aquarium

Material: Stainless steel

AC input: 220V, 50Hz

Power: 50W, 100W, 200W, 300W, 500W

Temperature range: 16-32 degrees Celsius

Heater Length: 16cm/29cm/29cm/35cm/35cm

Protective cover: 6 parts, free stitching, adjustable length 15-42 cm.

Aquarium Suit:
50W: less than 50L water, about 20x30cm
100W: 50-100L water, about 40×60cm

200W: 100-200L water, about 60×80cm

300W: 150-300L water, about 80×100cm500W: 250-500L water, about 130×150cm
Thermometer:
Color: Black + Silver

Material: ABS plastic
Display: LCD digital display
Temperature range: 0°C to 50°C
Default alarm setting: maximum: 28°C; lowest: 18 °C
Power: 1*1.5V AG13 Button Battery (Not included)
Sucker Diameter: 3cm/1.2in
Product size: 50 * 30 * 20mm / 1.97 * 1.2 * 0.8in
Item Weight: 26g/0.92oz
Package:
Voltage: 220-240V 50Hz
LCD display
Adjustable temperature: 20 to 35 degrees
External design, work with filter cup
Automatic shutdown when there is no water flow insid
Note:
Connect the heater to the inner tube of the filter cup
The direction of the arrow on the heater should be the same as the direction of the water flo
Package includes:
1 x heater
2x17mm adatper for inner diameter 16mm water hose
2x22mm adapter for 20mm inner diameter water hose

Price: RUB 2,325.29 / piece

Conclusions

There is a theory according to which aquatic animals must be kept in conditions as close as possible to natural ones. Temperature changes in nature occur constantly, and there seems to be no particular need to use an aquarium heater.

But in practice it has been proven that fish and plants feel much better, get sick less and live longer in a stable microclimate. This is why using an aquarium heater with a thermostat, especially during the cold season, is more than justified.

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 It is possible to maintain a suitable microclimate in an artificial reservoir without much difficulty, but in winter, without a special device for heating the 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, the water in the aquarium can 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?

1. 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.
2. Do not install the tube at the bottom of the aquarium. Minimum distance from the bottom is 20 mm.
3. The tube is installed near the oxygen filter. Air emissions contribute to uniform heating of the water mass throughout the aquarium.
4. 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 must 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.