Top 3 Fish Tank Heaters
Best Aquarium Heaters of 2020
- Best Overall Heater: Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater
- Best Budget Heater: Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater with Electronic Thermostat
- Best Large Tank Heater: Finnex Hang-On Electronic Controller Aquarium Heater, Titanium Tube
- Most User Friendly Heater: Fluval Marina Submersible Heater for Aquarium
- Most Precise Heater: Marineland Precision Heater for Saltwater or Freshwater Aquariums
Why do I need a heater for my fish tank?
In order to best care for your aquarium you need to take steps to create a stable, healthy environment that mimics your aquatic species’ natural environment. Water temperature is an essential piece in that process. While the water you initially use to fill your tank may be room temperature, it will not necessarily stay that way. Aquarium heaters are designed to create and maintain a consistent temperature in your aquatic environment in a way that is safe and stress-free for your fish and plant life. Always remember, stress-free fish and plants mean healthy fish and plants!
Factors To Consider for an Aquarium Heater
Types of Heaters
Immersion – Immersion style heaters are made of glass tubes with a heating element wrapped around a glass or ceramic insert. Most, but not all, immersion heaters are fully submersible and contain a thermostat that turns the heating element on.
Submersible – The most commonly used heater, submersible heaters are submerged fully under water which allows them to efficiently heat both small and large tanks.
In-Line – Positioned as a part of your aquarium’s filtration system, an in-line heater warms the water to the desired temperature as it flows back into the tank, providing a sleeker look than submersible heaters.
In-Sump – This type of aquarium heater is positioned inside the aquarium’s sump system. While it may be a safer option, it also thought to be less efficient depending on the size of your tank.
Substrate – A substrate heating system consists of a long heating cable laid in a curved pattern on the bottom of your aquarium floor. Substrate heaters are not meant to heat your aquarium water, but are important in providing optimum nutrition to your aquarium plant life.
Ohfishal’s Top 10 Aquarium Heaters
Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater
You can find this heater with a range of wattage from 25 W all the way up to 300 W. Its thermo safety control as well as shock resistant and shatterproof glass design make it a safe option for both fresh and saltwater aquariums. The Eheim Jager’s recalibration feature – a TruTemp dial – makes it the most accurate heater on the market, and allows you to adjust the temperature of your tank from 65° to 93° F to the nearest half degree!
Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater
The affordability of the Tetra HT does not cost you any of the functionality that you need from your aquarium heater. Its fully submersible design can be installed either vertically or horizontally. It’s designed to heat aquariums from 2 to 30 gallons, depending on whether you choose the 50W or 100W model. One nice feature, this heater uses red/green indicator lights so that you can easily tell if it is heating (red) or on standby (green). It comes with an electronic thermostat that will help you keep your tank at your optimal temperature even more efficiently.
Finnex Hang-On Electronic Controller Aquarium Heater
When it comes to this heater, its sleek yet sturdy design along with an analog controller can heat up to a 120 gallon tank, while still remaining a cost-effective option. The Finnex comes in a titanium tube, which is corrosion resistant and virtually unbreakable. This will greatly improve the safety and health of your salt or freshwater environment. Its easy-to-read LED heating indicator lets you know when the heater is functioning. You can purchase this heater in various models ranging from 50 W for your 10-20 gallon tank all the way to the 500 W model for your 100 gallon tank aquarium.
Fluval Marina Submersible Heater
If you’re looking for easy and secure installation, this submersible heater for fresh or saltwater tanks is for you. Available in wattages ranging from 50W to 300W, this 8.5 inch heater sports easy-to-read temperature settings, an impact-resistant glass design, and waterproof sealing.
Marineland Precision Heater
The Marineland Precision Heater comes in a 50W model for your 12 gallon tank all the way up to a 400W model for your larger 125 gallon tank. The adjustable temperature dial permits you to set the temperature up or down 1 degree with each click. Its unique heating element design allows for efficient heat transfer as well as extreme durability.
Aqueon Adjustable Pro Aquarium Heater
This shatterproof, fully submersible aquarium has an adjustable thermostat allowing you to heat your tank in a range of 68° to 88°F. It is designed with an auto shut-off feature so that it doesn’t overheat. This Aqueon heater also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Cobalt Aquatics Flat Neo-Therm Heater
Basically indestructible, Cobalt’s Neo-Therm is a resin/thermoplastic heater with a shatterproof outer casing. It comes with an LED screen that shows you the actual temperature and the temperature setting (66° to 96°F) simultaneously. Sporting a flat and modern design, this heater is designed for energy efficiency and safety.
Hydor In-Line External Heater
This easy-to-use heater is made for external use in marine and tropical aquariums. Its in-line design allows it to fit into your filtration system, heating water with its high precision electronic temperature control as it’s on the way back into your tank.
Aqueon Preset Heater
Coming in designs ranging from 50W to 200W, this heater is set to keep your aquarium consistently at 78°F, an appropriate temperature for most tropical fish. It has a convenient automatic safety shut-off to avoid overheating, and comes with a one year warranty.
Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater
The adjustable Orlushy heater consistently maintains aquarium temperature with precision from 68° to 89°F. The tube is made of 2mm thickened quartz glass, so it’s sleek and easy hide-able in the tank while maintaining safety for your fish.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aquarium Filters
Our recommendation is at least 5 watts per gallon of water in your tank. Depending on how much you need to heat your aquarium as well (difference between needed water temperature and room temperature), the amount of watts/gallon may go up. Most aquarium heaters have models ranging from 25 W to 300 W, so you should be able to find the heater for you. For tanks larger than 75 gallons, you may need more than 1 heater.
While manufacturers are designing safer products, there are some important precautions you will need to take to ensure you are using the product safely for both yourself, your fish, and the product’s longevity. Be sure that you do not plug in your heater before you have it positioned properly and completely submerged. Monitor the water level of your tank to ensure that it does not get too low. If it gets too low while the heater is running, you run the risk of the heater’s glass casing cracking, posing an electrocution risk to you and your fish. Finally, be sure to unplug your heater a half hour prior to cleaning your tank.
Be sure that the aquarium heater you purchase has an internal thermostat and auto-off feature so that it automatically shuts off when the water has reached the desired temperature. In this case you can leave the heater on all the time.
Aquarium heaters are an essential part of creating a safe and stable aquarium environment for your fish and plant life. There are many factors that go into finding the right heater for your tank. With the information provided along with our recommended products, you will be sure to find the heater that keeps your fish happy and healthy.
