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.
A heater converts electrical energy into heat that is dispersed evenly all throughout the tank. It is typically composed of a ceramic core wrapped in nichrome resistance wire. It comes with temperature controls that allow you to set a low and high limit in temperature which tells the heater to start and stop working. When the temperature in the tank is too low, the heater kicks in. When the temperature exceeds the limit, this tells the heater to stop.
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.
Different types of tank 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
The kind of fish you have, the temperature in your room, and the warranty given by your water heater retailer are just three of the factors you need to keep in mind when buying an aquarium water heater. You have to know the temperature your fish are used to and you have to know the temperature in your room because you will be subtracting this from the temperature that is ideal for your fish. Also make sure you get an aquarium water heater with a good and reliable warranty in order to avoid spending too much for repairs when your heater breaks down.
Tips for buying and using aquarium heaters
When buying aquarium heaters, make sure you buy a spare in case your heater breaks down. This is not a necessity but experts advice that you use multiple heaters in your aquarium so that you can maintain an even temperature even if one of the heaters break down. The extra heater can carry the load of heating the tank long enough for you to replace the broken heater with a spare heater.
A heater converts electrical energy into heat that is dispersed evenly all throughout the tank. It is typically composed of a ceramic core wrapped in nichrome resistance wire. It comes with temperature controls that allow you to set a low and high limit in temperature which tells the heater to start and stop working. When the temperature in the tank is too low, the heater kicks in. When the temperature exceeds the limit, this tells the heater to stop.
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.
Different types of tank 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
The kind of fish you have, the temperature in your room, and the warranty given by your water heater retailer are just three of the factors you need to keep in mind when buying an aquarium water heater. You have to know the temperature your fish are used to and you have to know the temperature in your room because you will be subtracting this from the temperature that is ideal for your fish. Also make sure you get an aquarium water heater with a good and reliable warranty in order to avoid spending too much for repairs when your heater breaks down.
Tips for buying and using aquarium heaters
When buying aquarium heaters, make sure you buy a spare in case your heater breaks down. This is not a necessity but experts advice that you use multiple heaters in your aquarium so that you can maintain an even temperature even if one of the heaters break down. The extra heater can carry the load of heating the tank long enough for you to replace the broken heater with a spare heater.
About the Author:
Jeffry Johnston is a fish store owner and an aquarium expert who likes to help others be successful in raising their fish as well. He is a member and guest speaker at many aquarium organizations, as well as having a few very large tanks of his own. To find out more about fish tank water heaters and fish tank gravel, please go to marinedepot.com.
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