The list of necessary aquarium equipment includes an aquarium heater, which helps keep fish in a comfortable habitat. This is important for the good life, growth and health of the fish. There are several recommendations regarding the choice of such a device.

Do you need a heater in an aquarium?

To answer this question, it is necessary to consider the main functions of this device:

1. Heating water. Using the device, you can heat the liquid in the aquarium by only 3-5°C; you don’t need to think that it works like a boiler. It is necessary if the room is cold or if the aquarium contains tropical fish species.
2. Temperature stabilization. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to do without a heater in an aquarium, but it all depends on what kind of fish a person has chosen, since for many aquatic inhabitants a temperature fluctuation of even a couple of degrees is unacceptable, since the immune system suffers, and this can cause death. Most of all, such jumps are typical for aquariums small size, so in this case the heater will be a mandatory device.
3. An aquarium heater creates, albeit insignificant, movement of layers of water, which promotes mixing of the liquid, and this prevents stagnation.

Which aquarium heater to choose?

There are several classifications used for heating equipment. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account in order to choose the most appropriate one for a particular case. suitable option. An aquarium water heater may have different designs, thanks to which it can be mounted in different parts vessel, providing the desired heating of the liquid.

Flow-through heater for aquarium

Devices of this type involve passing water through themselves. Inside there is a special heating element, which heats the water as it passes through it. Flow heaters for an aquarium turn on automatically when liquid movement begins. Such a device must have high power. The disadvantages of this type include high energy consumption.

Submersible heater for aquarium

This option is more common, and it has several subtypes:

External heater for aquarium

In most cases, such a device is built into the system of an external remote filter, that is, the water that passes through it will not only be cleaned, but also heated. There is another option for an external heater, which is a heating pad made of rubberized material, which contains flexible heating elements. The water is heated through the glass bottom of the vessel. An external aquarium heater with a thermostat has a drawback - a lot of heat goes into the stand. Heating through the bottom provokes rapid growth bacteria.

Bottom heater for aquarium

In this case, heating cables are used, which are laid along the bottom before filling the soil. The main characteristics include:

1. Their main task is to ensure the movement of water flow in the soil, which helps prevent its acidification.
2. This aquarium heater with a thermostat helps to heat the bottom layer of water, which is always colder when in use. traditional options equipment.
3. It is recommended to use the bottom heating option as an additional option to any of the previously discussed devices.
4. The cable cannot be laid in a shallow one and it should account for about 1/3 of the total power.

How to choose a heater for an aquarium?

There are several important points, which you should pay attention to when purchasing such equipment:

1. The aquarium heater must have a thermostat to maintain a constant water temperature. When the required value is reached, the device will turn off and start working again when the water cools down. The thermostat can be immersed in water or placed outside the aquarium.
2. Some heaters have additional features, for example, forced emergency shutdown in the absence of water.
3. When figuring out how to choose a heater for an aquarium, it is worth noting that different devices can regulate temperatures differently. In some models you can set a range, and in others a specific value that will be constantly maintained. When choosing, it is recommended to pay attention to the adjustment interval.
4. A heater for or a vessel of any other shape may have different area heating This information can be read in the instructions that came with the device.
5. Pay attention to the package; if necessary, the kit should include fasteners or a protective cover that will prevent damage to fragile parts.
6. If you need to select a heater for sea ​​water, then be sure to check whether the salt will damage the parts of the selected device.

Aquarium heater power

One of the most important indicators One thing that should definitely be taken into account when choosing such equipment is power. Its value is determined taking into account the volume of the selected vessel. In most cases, a water heater for an aquarium with and without a thermostat should have 1-1.5 watts per 1 liter of water. Experts recommend choosing devices with a small margin, that is, with a large power rating, in order to increase heating if something happens, for example, if the room is too cold.

Which aquarium heater is best?

There are several manufacturers who offer similar devices that have earned respect among people. Many people are interested in which is the best heater to buy for an aquarium, but it is difficult to single out just one manufacturer, since it all depends on the requirements set by the buyer. It is worth noting that many aquarium manufacturers simultaneously produce additional equipment, among which there are heaters. In this case, it is better to choose all of the same brand.

Aquarium heater "Juwel"

Under this name you can purchase several devices of different capacities, so you can choose the option for your volume. Water heaters in the Juwel aquarium have the following characteristics:

1. The device has a built-in thermostat. In order to start using it, you just need to set the required temperature on the top of the heater and the value will be maintained in the specified range. The device will turn off when the required temperature is reached and turn on when the water cools down.
2. The aquarium heater has a standard mount suitable for all types of containers. If the device was purchased for Juwel aquariums, then it can be installed inside the housing of the built-in internal biological filter.

Aquarium heater "Tetra"

Among the equipment of this company, one can highlight the “TETRATEC HT 25W” device, which has a special temperature controller from 19 to 31°C.

1. Given the presence of a waterproof case and cover, the heater can be safely completely immersed in water.
2. The presented Tetra aquarium heater can be used for aquariums with a volume of 10-25 liters.
3. The device has a control light indicator. It is easy to install as it has a long cable.
4. The TETRATEC HT 25W aquarium heater distributes heat evenly because it has a double ceramic heating element.
5. There are two suction cups for attaching to glass.

"Aquael" heater for aquarium

Several devices are produced under this brand, and among them we can highlight the “Aquael Easyheater 50w”, which has no analogues on the market.

1. The compact device is easily mounted on glass, and it can work not only in a vertical, but also in a horizontal position.
2. The water heater in the aquarium does not burn the body of fish and other marine inhabitants. Its temperature range is large - 18-36°C.
3. The device has a built-in overheating system and is easy to maintain and install.

How to install a heater in an aquarium?

The equipment for maintaining the required temperature is waterproof, so it can be installed in a vertical position (the adjustment handle must be above the water surface) and in a horizontal position (completely immersed in water). There are several nuances on how to install a heater in an aquarium:

1. Do not insert the equipment into sand or gravel as this may cause damage to the equipment.
2. Make sure that the water is always above the minimum immersion level. For this purpose, the device has a special mark on the body. Remember that the liquid level is constantly falling as evaporation occurs.
3. A heater for turtles in an aquarium or fish is in most cases attached to the wall using a bracket with two suction cups. Each equipment comes with detailed instructions.
4. The device should be mounted in a place where there is constant and uniform circulation of water.
5. After the heater is installed and filled with water, you must wait at least 15 minutes for the temperature of the bimetallic switch to equal the value of the liquid, and only then turn it on.

One of important conditions Keeping fish at home is to maintain a stable temperature in the aquarium, which, without human intervention, always corresponds to the microclimate in the room. Sharp fluctuations within 2–4 degrees, caused by an open window or turned off heating, negatively affect the health of aquatic organisms.

This is especially true where temperature changes can occur in a matter of minutes. In addition, during the year situations arise when the room is too cold for a long period, and this can cause serious damage to the entire ecosystem.

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.

Aquarium heater with thermostat

The main inconveniences when using the heater are related to the need to constantly monitor its operation. 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.

• Built-in - mounted in a sealed housing together with a heating element. With this configuration, the entire water control and heating system becomes very compact and easy to use.

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 immersion heaters for an aquarium 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.

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 so 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.

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.

In modern aquariums you can find representatives of the underwater world from almost every part of the globe. Fish and plants from tropical areas can only survive if maintained at an appropriate temperature, which is generally higher than the temperature of the water kept at room temperature. In such cases, water heaters are used that are capable of maintaining the specified water parameters in the aquarium, which allows for comfortable living for almost any representative of the underwater world.

The water heater consists of an outer glass body of an elongated shape. Inside the housing there is a heating element around which a metal wire is wound. The water heater is manufactured in a waterproof or sealed housing, which prevents the possibility of short circuits. This device is not afraid of water and is completely immersed in the aquarium. The most advanced and useful are water heaters with automatic regulation (thermal sensors) of the water temperature in the aquarium. Upon reaching specified parameters the water heater turns off. This feature will make it easier to care for aquarium fish, since there will be no need to constantly check the water temperature. Water heaters vary in power. Low-power devices are suitable for small aquariums with a volume of up to 30 liters. But experienced aquarists recommend purchasing a heater maximum power, since it is quite possible that over time the size of the tank may change and the power of the old heater will be insufficient. The device operates from electrical network. A more expensive type of such device is an instantaneous water heater, which cuts into the filter tube and distributes a stream of warm water throughout the entire aquarium. Cheaper heaters include a cable that is buried in sandy soil. Heat tends to rise from the bottom to the surface, simultaneously warming the entire thickness of the water.

Reasons and need for use

Average room temperature in an apartment or house in summer period is about 24-26 degrees Celsius, and in winter period the temperature drops to 18-20 degrees Celsius. Some species of fish, brought mainly from tropical latitudes with warm rivers, need to maintain a specific temperature all year round. In this case, the use of a water heater is necessary for the normal functioning of the inhabitants of a tropical aquarium. In addition to tropical fish, warm water love aquarium plants that stop growing or die at low temperatures. In some cases, a water heater is required for the inhabitants of the underwater world, which feel great in an aquarium with cool water. This is necessary if the aquarium is located in a cold room, where the room temperature is less than 18 degrees Celsius.

Selection criteria

You must select a water heater based on the following criteria:

• Power from 30 to 300 Watt.
• Device length. The housing must be completely submerged in water. Before purchasing, you need to measure the height of the aquarium.
• Presence or absence of a temperature sensor.
• Filler that conducts heat. There are heaters filled with sand or air. Sand-filled heaters are considered the most effective, since sand particles conduct heat better than air.
• Device quality. A faulty water heater can cause irreparable harm to the inhabitants of the aquarium.

The question of choice is discussed in detail in the video below.

Pros and cons of the device