By Jeffry Johnston
An aquarium water heater is a device that keeps your tank warm for your fish. Different species of fish require different temperatures. For example, tropical fish are used to much warmer temperatures than fish types that thrive in colder regions. An aquarium water heater is responsible for keeping the temperature constant in your tank, and this is very important for corals, which tend to do badly in constantly changing temperatures.
An aquarium heater is a device that provides heat all throughout the tank. The two common types of aquarium water heaters include the one directly attached to the thermostat and the one that is composed of a combination of heating units with a thermostat, pilot light, and condensers. The typical aquarium water heater has a temperature regulator that allows you to set a temperature range that will signal the water heater to start and stop. It powers on when the temperature of the tank drops lower than the set temperature, and automatically stops when the temperature of the water reaches the temperature limit.
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.
The three main types of heaters for your aquarium water
The three most common types of aquariums are the submersible water heater, the hang-on tank style water heater, and the heating cable system. The submersible water heater provides an even heating for the tank because it is submerged in the tank water. The hang-on tank style, on the other hand, may not be too good with offering even heating because it is only partially submerged in the water. The third kind of aquarium water heater is the heating cable system, which is submerged under the gravel and is operated by a heating control unit. This model is the ideal for saltwater tanks, but it is good for freshwater aquariums 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 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 enthusiast 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 aquarium gravel, please go to marinedepot.com.