The beauty of an aquarium depends not only on its choice and design, but also on how colorful its inhabitants are. It is useful to remember that the most colorful and unusual aquatic inhabitants live in tropical and equatorial waters. And their habitats are distinguished not only by their abundance various types and palm trees on the banks, but also because environment Such creatures are noticeably warmer than our everyday life, even at the height of summer. To create ideal conditions For your charming pets, the water in the aquarium must not only be purified and oxygenated, but also heated. This task is performed special device- aquarium heater.

Aquarium heater: how does it work?

Setting up a water heater for an aquarium is not difficult. His main element- a special wire that heats up under the influence of electricity. To make its use safe, the wire itself is located on a ceramic core, and is protected from contact with water by an outer casing made of glass or plastic.

If glass is chosen for the body, it is usually heat resistant and is also closed with a special lid that ensures tightness. The cover is also used to place all the control elements of the device.

Plastic models are compact and the price is slightly higher. But this is more than justified: such a heater not only looks stylish thanks to a body made of unbreakable plastic, but is also more advanced from a technical point of view.

When choosing a heater for an aquarium, you need to remember that the larger the volume of water, the more powerful the device you need to buy - otherwise it simply will not cope with its task.

Aquarium heater: how to monitor the temperature?

Accuracy of compliance temperature regime – important element long and comfortable life for every inhabitant of the aquarium aquatic world. However, monitoring your temperature on your own is not only tedious, but often impossible. In order not to waste your time and attention, you need to purchase an aquarium heater (heater) with a thermostat.

Heaters of this type are equipped with a special sensor that constantly monitors the water temperature. As long as this temperature is within the range useful for pets, the aquarium heater works quietly and creates a cozy environment for them. But as soon as the temperature exceeds the limit set by the owner, the device detects this and turns off, allowing the water to cool to the desired level.

Thermostats can be mechanical or electronic. The most common are mechanical ones - they are distinguished by high level reliability, a little more low prices and stable operation. However, their work requires periodic inspection– they can distort the readings by several degrees, and you need to check them with a separate thermometer. Electronic models are more accurate, so they have a higher price, but they are also a little less reliable.

In addition, the thermostat with which the aquarium heater is equipped can be remote or built-in. The remote one is located mostly outside the aquarium - only the temperature sensor is immersed in the water. However, it did not become widespread, since the built-in models turned out to be much more practical and convenient. They are assembled in a single housing with a heating element, becoming compact and distinguished by an advantageous design in the form of an elongated glass flask.

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 optimal temperature V 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, inside which is inserted heating element. 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 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 heater body 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, the void between the resistor and the glass began to be filled with test tubes 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. The ends of the wires should never touch each other, otherwise a short circuit will occur. 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 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.

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 the 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. If desired, you can solder the LED. It will signal that the heater is turned on.
4. 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.
5. We take a heat gun or glue for gluing aquariums. And we fill all the remaining space in the water heater.
6. For ease of fastening, you can purchase a suction cup. You just need to remove the hook from it.
7. 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 specialized stores. The choice is very diverse: 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 offers to install 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.

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 when maintained at an appropriate temperature, which is typically 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 given 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 instantaneous water heater, which cuts into the filter tube and distributes a stream of warm water throughout the 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