The Basics Of Aquarium Water Heater

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.

Aquarium heaters often come with thermostats, so that you can place the heater in one side of the tank and the thermostat in the other. In theory, this is supposed to provide an even distribution of heat all over the tank because the heat from the heater needs to travel to the other side of the tank to reach the thermostat.

Types of aquarium heaters

There are a number of different types of aquarium heaters. These are the hang-on tank style, the submersible heater, and the heating cable system. The hang-on tank style is partially submerged in the water, which means that it only provides a small amount of heat into the system. The submerged system provides a more even system of heating for the whole aquarium. The heating cable system is the type of heater that you install under the gravel of your aquarium and is manipulated by a heating control unit. This system is used most often by owners of saltwater tanks but it may be used in freshwater tanks as well. This is often used to eliminate dead spots and provides even heat from the bottom up.

Factors to consider

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.
By: Jeffry Johnston