How to Buy an Aquarium Water Heater

An aquarium water heater is essential for fish and corals. Fish species are cold-blooded creatures and therefore cannot lower or raise their body temperatures to compensate for the environment. The same is true for corals which cannot tolerate even the slightest changes in temperature.

An aquarium water heater is a device that converts electric energy into heat that is dispersed throughout the water in your tank. An aquarium water heater usually comes with temperature controls that allow you to choose a certain temperature range, or when the tank temperature drops below, the heater then kicks into gear. When the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the water heater then shuts off automatically. Typical heaters are composed of a ceramic core wrapped in nichrome resistance wire. The two most common types of heaters are the ones attached directly to the thermostat and combination heating units with a thermostat, condenser, and pilot light.

The two most common kinds of aquarium water heaters are the heater that is directly attached to the thermostat and combination heater units that come with a thermostat, condenser, and pilot lights.

Types of aquarium heaters

There are three main types of aquarium heaters. These are the hang-on tank style, the submersible aquarium water heater, and the heating cable system. The hang-on tank style usually is not very effective at providing even heating because it is only partially submerged. The submersible aquarium water heater on the other hand provides a more even system of heating for the entire aquarium. The heating cable system is submerged underneath the aquarium gravel and is manipulated by a heating control unit. This is the kind of system that is preferred in saltwater tanks but it is useful for freshwater tanks as well.

Factors to consider when buying tank heaters

Things to consider before you buy an aquarium heater include the kind of fish you have, the temperature in your room, and warranty of service. There are some fish that will not thrive in settings with drastic changes in temperature while other fish may tolerate these changes better than others. It is important to know the temperature requirement of your fish, since changes can affect their immune system, respiration, feeding, and breeding patterns. You also need to know the room temperature since you will be subtracting this from the ideal temperature for your fish to give you the amount of heating your heater needs to provide. Also, get a heater with a reliable warranty in case your aquarium water heater breaks down.

Tips for buying and using aquarium heaters

If you are an aquarium owner, using multiple heaters at one time and keeping a spare on hand is always a good idea. This way, if one breaks down, your tank still has other heating sources left. Always keeping a spare on hand is always a good idea so that you can quickly replace the broken heater and keep the tank temperature constant.

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