Aquarium Heaters

Mom was right when she said, “Put on a jacket, it’s cold outside. You’ll catch the death of cold!” The same goes for fish. In nature, the water temperature in a pond, stream, or ocean is just right for the species of fish that thrive there. In their natural habitats, water temperature is fairly consistent with small fluctuations occurring very gradually over the course of several hours. Fish are particularly sensitive to drastic changes in temperature, especially downward. Sudden, drastic dips in temperature stress fish immune systems leading to bacterial infections and diseases such as ich.

In order to keep our fish healthy, we need to recreate their natural environment as closely as possible within the aquarium. In regard to water temperature, this requires using a quality aquarium water heater that is durable, safe, and heats the water consistently and accurately all while blending into the background in keeping with the aesthetics of your beautiful aquarium. Even during the summer months when it may be warm/ very warm outdoors (depending on where you live), indoors our homes are kept cool thanks to modern air conditioning, and while the temperature is perfect for us it is usually too cool for our fish. In this product guide, we will equip you with the information you need to choose the appropriate heater for your aquarium. We will discuss the features of two excellent aquarium heaters that we carry here at Frog Pond Aquatics as well as provide you with a few simple tips on how to maximize the efficiency of your aquarium heater in order to conserve energy and get the best value for your dollar.

The best water temperature for your fish depends on the species you are keeping in your tank. We advise you do a bit of research into where your species of fish naturally live and the temperatures they prefer. In general, tropical aquariums should be kept between 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Reef aquariums, however, may need higher temperatures up to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. (Keep in mind, reef aquariums often require special lighting and that will raise the water temperature as well.) There is some debate on this issue, so again--- do a bit of research into the species you are keeping. Also, it is best to keep combinations of species that would naturally share a habitat.

There are three basic types of aquarium heaters: 1.) external heaters, either “non-submersible” heaters which attach to the side of the aquarium or “in-line” heaters used in conjunction with a canister filter or modular filtration system 2.) Internal heaters or “submersible heaters” come in a variety of materials and may have external thermostats which attach to the side of the tank or integrated thermostats 3.) heating cables which are routed inside the tank in an “S” shape. External heaters and internal heaters meet the needs of most aquarists, while heating cables are best for planted aquariums to keep “cold spots” from interfering with plant growth. Also, heating cables are not very practical in tropical or salt water aquariums containing gravel--- imagine how easy it would be to damage it while vacuuming the gravel bed! Many hobbyists prefer using a combination of heaters in order to distribute heat more evenly and “cover the bases.” This may be especially helpful to those with larger aquariums in distributing heat more evenly. Aquarium heaters come in a wide-variety of sizes to suit the needs of every aquarium (see “Conserve Energy and Optimize the Efficiency of Your Aquarium Heater” toward the end of this article).

Here at Frog Pond Aquatics, we carry two high-quality aquarium heaters: the SmartHeater by Rena and the Comfort Zone Heater by AquaEl. Both heaters are excellent choices, but they do have many differences and similarities. We firmly stand behind both products and we have found that by offering both of these heaters we are able to keep most fish (and their people) happy. The following information will help you determine which heater is best suited to the needs of your aquarium.
A good aquarium heater will do the following:
1.) create even distribution of heat through the water 2.) maintain consistent and accurate temperature while being easy to adjust 3.) prevent electrical shock with special safety features and durability 4.) blend in beautifully with your aquarium 5.) work well with other necessary aquarium equipment

Continue reading to learn how the Rena SmartHeater and the AquaEl Comfort Zone Heater fit the above criteria.

The Rena SmartHeater is one of the most versatile heaters on the market. It most effectively distributes heat through the water when it is used as an “in-line” heater with the Rena Filstar or the Rena SmartFilter. By replacing the intake on the filter with the SmartHeater, water is heated as is passes through the filter and thus heated more often than if it were simply submerged in the water like a standard submersible heater. Compare the SmartHeater to having central air/ heat in your home versus a wall-unit or a radiator. Circulation is the key to effective heat distribution, and by using the filtration system to dissipate heat the process is streamlined. Although we recommend using the SmartHeater with the Rena Filstar or SmartFilter, you may use the SmartHeater with most canister/ modular filtration systems by purchasing an adaptor kit. If you do not use this type of filtration in your aquarium, the SmartHeater may still be the ideal aquarium heater for you--- simply use like a standard submersible heater! Add an air pump or Powerhead to your aquarium to create more water circulation for maximum effectiveness. The SmartHeater’s thermostat is very sensitive and accurate--- to » .5°. The oversized dial makes adjusting and reading the thermostat easy, even with wet hands. Unlike a standard glass heater, the heating element in the SmartHeater is completely encased in plastic, making it virtually unbreakable. The SmartHeater’s oversized dial also contains a warning light to indicate abnormal temperatures as an added safety precaution. This heater also looks as smart as it’s name; the sleek design blends well with the aesthetics of every aquarium, and when it is used “in-line” it provides a darker intake tube on the filter which many customers find blends better into the background. Rena makes the highest-quality aquarium equipment available, and the SmartHeater is truly a “top-of-the-line” submersible aquarium heater! Available for 90, 70, 50, 35 and 20-gallon tanks (use two or more heaters to accommodate larger tanks). UL approved.

The AquaEl Comfort Zone Heater is a high-quality, submersible glass heater. The submersible glass heater is the classic, traditional aquarium heater. They are easy to use too and work well with any and every type of aquarium equipment. The Comfort Zone Heater is long enough to cover a large surface area for efficient heat distribution and may be mounted horizontally or vertically with the included suction holder. (Again: the more water circulation you have in your tank, the more effective your heater will be.) Double ceramic heat radiators prevent “dead spots” which cause uneven heat distribution in lower-quality glass heaters. The Comfort Zone’s thermostat is also very accurate--- to »1°. The temperature control knob is easy to read and adjust. AquaEl has gone the extra-mile in making this piece of equipment safe. Heat-treated boro-silicate glass, a shock absorbing end cap (this is where most heaters get broken), an “ON/OFF” indicator light also contribute to this heater’s durability and safe operation. The Comfort Zone Heater is also an attractive piece of aquarium equipment that blends easily into any aquarium décor. It looks expensive but is available at a very competitive price. Available for tanks ranging from 4 to 150 gallons (use two heaters for tanks up to 300 gallons).

“Conservation” is the word of our time. To the health of our planet AND your wallet--- here are some tips for optimizing the efficiency of your aquarium heater:

1.) Location
Take a moment to think about where your aquarium is located in your home/office. Is it in a room upstairs in your house or down in the basement? Ambient temperature (room temperature) largely determines the natural temperature in your aquarium before adding a heat source. A colder room (such as basement) may not be the best choice for species of fish that like warmer water. As previously mentioned, it is important to do some research on the species that you are keeping and their natural habitat. This is not to say that you can’t have an aquarium in your basement, but in the winter especially, your heater will have to work much harder. Moving the aquarium upstairs during your coolest months may be worth it if it saves you money on your electrical bill and lengthens the life of your heater. Conversely, if your tank is too warm during the summer moving it to a cooler part of your house may be just what your fish need. Consider other factors in your home as well; Is your aquarium near a window where it may be cooler during harsh winters? Is it a small room where the door is kept shut most of the day, trapping heat inside the room?

2.) Consider Other Equipment as a Heat Source
Any electrical equipment will generate heat, but this is especially true for lights. Lighting is used most intensely in reef aquariums, so although corals and salt-water fish may like slightly warmer water, the lighting may heat the water enough that the aquarium is better off in the basement after all.

4.) Circulation
One of the best things you can do to make your heater more efficient is to improve the water circulation in your aquarium. Consider putting a bubbler air pump in the bottom of your tank or using a water pump to add additional water circulation to the aquarium. With an in-line heater, such as the Smart Heater, water circulation is being provided by either the Rena SmartFilter or the Rena FilstarXP canister filter. However, if you use a traditional submersible heater, such as the Comfort Zone, (or use the Smart Heater in the same fashion) adding additional water circulation via an air pumps or powerhead is particularly important in optimizing the efficiency of your heater.

3.) Acrylic vs. Glass
A glass aquarium requires five times the amount of heat as an acrylic aquarium. Depending on the season, climate where you live, and the species of fish you have, switching from and acrylic tank to glass tank or vice-versa may be a wise choice.

4.) Heat Insulation
Place a Styrofoam sheet under your aquarium, or apply window film (used to reduce sunlight and keep others from seeing into your home/ car) to the sides of your tank. Both make simple, inexpensive insulation for your aquarium.

5.) Choose the Correct Size Heater
Lastly and most importantly, buy the smallest heater to fit your needs, but don’t be too cheap to buy the size that you really need, either. If you choose a heater that is too large for your aquarium, not only will you waste money by purchasing more heater than you need, but A good rule of thumb: Multiply the number of gallons in your aquarium by 3--- the product equals the wattage of the heater that you need. So, a 50 gallon tank needs a 150 watt heater. On average, you will need between 3-5 watts per gallon, again, depending on other variables such as ambient room temperature, species of fish, glass tank or acrylic tank, etc. When you begin using your new heater, observe how often it shuts on an off. The ideal heating cycle is on for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes. If it is on for 10 minutes and off for 1 minute or runs continuously, the heater is too small and you should upgrade to a larger wattage. If the heater is too large, then you will see a much faster on/off cycle than described above. Although you may think that you are “playing it safe” by erring on purchasing more heater than you need, this is actually unsafe for your fish. A heater that is too big will cause “hot spots” in the water, creating variations in temperature that are unhealthy for fish. Of course, you will also waste money due to the higher cost of the larger pump as well as the increased usage of electricity.

Keeping the water in your tank at a consistent temperature specific to the preferences of the species in your aquarium is one of the most important things you can do to keep your fish healthy and thriving. Combining a high-quality heater with good circulation and smart energy conservation insures a better experience for you and your fish.

We hope that you have found this product guide helpful and informative. Visit our classroom for in-depth articles on a variety of topics regarding aquarium and pond keeping.

Stay tuned for more product guides and tips. Happy aquarium keeping!