I am going try the Cobalt heater on my next tank. It is most commonly used with canister filters but can be adapted to work with any canister filter type. A second LED light shows when the heating element is operating. This makes it much more efficient, and you can also position it any way you want. If you have a tall, narrow tank, place the submersible heater horizontally in the bottom third of the tank. With a heater, you actually can expect it. This fully submersible heater measures 1.4 x 19.9 inches, and it’s recommended that you place it vertically. There are many reputable heater manufacturers that make easy to use, reliable aquarium heaters. Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters self-limit, meaning they will never get warmer than the pre-set level. Anyone considering this heater for that feature (as I did) please do some research. Most aquariums these days have a heater for good reason. Finnex Hang-On Electronic Controller - Titanium, 8. This is true for all larger tanks. Just install the heater on the outflow of a canister filter. Ready to give up the hobby. This can lead to inaccurate temperature control and frequent on/off cycles. Besides all the above, the best aquarium heaters come with a series of other features that add safety and ensure a smoother operation. This aquarium heater is best … 10 best aquarium heater reviewed and rated for 2020. The Hygger Mini Aquarium Heater can handle tanks of up to 13 gallons with no issue at all. It comes in a range of wattages, so it’s suitable for tanks of different sizes. All others are OK, especially the Cobalt for smaller aquariums. Electricity passes through a heating element, which generates enough heat to warm the water around the element. You also need to consider ambient aquarium heat. If you have any type of tropical fish species, you’ll need to have a heater to maintain the correct temperature in the tank. They are hidden from view and offer precise heating, but they are more expensive and are sensitive to filter failures as well as heater failures. Now this fully submersible heater is small, as it only measures 11 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches. Our top pick for best aquarium heaters is the Hygge Saltwater Tank Titanium Tube Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater. PS: Two years ago, a Tetra heater (same tank) overheated and boiled four fish. The work of the heater is to keep the water at the right temperature consistently. Or did something else happen coincidentally at the same time? I have just had a second Fluval E behave erratically, after another, in another failed completely. This electronic heater has all the bells and whistles you need from a high-quality product. I called to get my latest one replaced soothing myself that despite losing my fish from the crappy heater, I could at least get another. External installation saves space in the tank. Heaters can, and will, fail, so having a second thermometer will help you pick up on this failure much sooner than you would otherwise. (Yeah, I know I should know better than trust anything anyone writes on the internet). One of the most important safety features is an auto-shutoff function. And the sump will require more space in your room. Top 10 Best Aquarium Heaters. In general, it isn’t extremely accurate. It works very quickly and powerfully, as it’s capable of handling up to 120 gallons. You’ll have more room for fish, inverts, live rock and plants. You just turn a knob to adjust the temperature, and the display tells you the temperature setting. Aquarists usually double the wattage if the heater can’t stabilize the water temperature. Its temperature range is from 70 to 92° F. The temperature control is set outside the water, which is nicely convenient. Bumping into it can break the glass sheath, and it can even start a fire. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. I bought a Fluval E heater based on this review and nowhere is any “auto shutoff” feature mentioned in the user manual or (later confirmed) on the website. I hope this article has helped you get more clarity so that you don’t make regretful investments. Please share your thoughts/ideas. It’s a bit fragile for shipping, with customers reporting that they received shattered heaters. Its warranty is only a year. These are great if you have aggressive fish and want to make sure they can’t break your electronic heater. This heater measures 14 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches, for 300W of power. This offers very accurate temperature readings, with up to 0.5° F accuracy. The fish guard is integrated, so that your fish doesn’t get in contact with the heating element. It may be tough, but that warranty problem can be trouble. It’s also easy to use with its “one touch” control system. The manufacturer recommends vertical only. The warranty is good for 3 years. If you have a tiny tank, you’ll want a tiny heater to go along with it. And don’t let it touch the gravel either, as the difference in heat conductivity can crack the heater glass. This is very uncommon in the US, although quite a few Europeans use it. Big fish and tumbling live rock can break ordinary glass heaters. However, it also has to be reliable, safe, and easy-to-use. All Rights Reserved. Contacting Fluval confirmed that this heater DOES NOT have that feature. Good heaters will also resume heating once they detect that the water temperature has dropped. The digital readout is easy to read with red numbers and the adaptors can connect to a 5/8-inch hose. There’s also an indicator light. Find the best aquarium heater sutable for your aquarium available at Amazon. This means the Hydro in-line heater can never over-heat and “fry” your aquarium. It functions only as a heating element. Best & Most Efficient Aquarium Heaters Reviews, 5. The heater comes in a variety of wattage ratings, from 50 watts to 500 watts. It is wiser to spend the extra money upfront, buying a model with variable temperature controls. Hi Bob, The auto shutoff feature that was I was referring to was the “out of water shut off feature”. It comes with an advanced controller and a memory chip to store settings in case of power outage. The most impressive thing about this product is its accuracy in maintaining the selected temperature. The compact design with suction cups makes it easy to install on glass, plastic, or acrylic tanks. With 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300W options, there will be a model that is the perfect power for your tank. It is also very good at conducting heat, resulting in a more effective heater. These cases are sensitive to heat differentials and may sometimes crack or shatter the glass, resulting in a tank of electrocuted fish. Each fish species has a temperature range in which it is most comfortable, and sometimes you may need a heater to maintain this range. Aquarium heaters have been breaking in aquariums for over 30 years with little consequence. Invest in an aquarium heater … Nitrates were high but the same as my two other tanks. This is also another fully submersible heater that measures 4 x 14 x 2 inches. The sleek design is very functional, and you can mount the heater with the display facing inwards or outwards. Heater was actually cracked and shocked me after unplugging and removing from water. The bigger tanks result in slower temperature changes so that you give yourself time to rectify any mistake. The TruTemp dial stays within 0.5 of your desired temperature. An external heater eliminates all these problems. They are designed differently; some comes with adjustable thermostats wholesome don’t. A general rule for stable temperatures is to have around 5 watts per gallon of water. This type of external heater is usually fixed onto the outflow line so that it heats water as it makes its way back into the tank. It has to be placed vertically, or you might void the 3-year warranty. However, some do come with quality-of-life heater features that make using them even more convenient. It’s easy to set with a clear digital display so you can make sure your current temperature is exactly where it needs to be. While the temperature range is accurate within 2.5-degrees, it does come at an extremely competitive price. Hydor In-Line External Heaters are designed to be installed in-line with an external canister filter. So no matter what size tank you have, there is a Hygger heater that will meet your needs. But stray voltage can shock you and stress the fish over time. The wattage of a heater determines how much power it puts out, which affects how quickly it can heat the water around it. It’s really difficult to pinpoint what happened in your aquarium. This refers to many fish that are kept in aquariums (even if just for a hobby). The heating element plugs into the external True Temp unit and is turned on and off automatically. The True Temp controller has push-button controls and an LED display. The glass tube enclosure is typically very robust and can withstand abuse from fish and the environment.