A typical oversight of many beginner aquarists is the use of a heater in their tank, but similar to the filters, heaters are a major component of a healthy environment for your fish. One of the most necessary aspects of having a thriving tropical tank is to keep the water temperature at a good level. Each saltwater and freshwater aquarium fish do best in heated water with no drastic temperature variations. Only goldfish are handling colder temperatures.
A drop in temperature of only 1 degree over a 24-hour period might affect the health of your fish, making them at risk of diseases that may wipe out your whole tank population. Water temperature affects their immune system, wound healing, and digestion. It’s especially vital to be vigilant of the water temperature during the change of seasons, particularly as winter approaches and temperatures drop. You would possibly not think about it, however, once the temperature in your home changes, your fish tank water changes temperature too.
Overheating also can be a problem. Because the temperature rises, the oxygen saturation in the water tends to fall. However, it’s a lot easier to cool down the water than it has to heat it. You’ll be able to turn off the lighting, float ice packs on the water, run a fan over the water surface, or add cooler water to your water changes. Therefore, the real problem is cold water. The simplest way to avoid sudden drops in temperature is to have a reliable fish tank heater in your tank. There are several heaters in the market at various costs. The cheaper ones are a lot of likely to break or malfunction, costing you extra money in the long run, and they might not give you a correct heat setting, which makes maintaining the proper temperature in your tank quite difficult.
A mid-priced heater can do a really nice job. Their thermostats are reliable and they are ready to maintain a constant temperature without having to make many adjustments. Ensure you check your fish tank heater periodically and think about replacing it a minimum of once a year.
Titanium heaters are extremely recommended because they’re sturdy and virtually indestructible. Some are designed to automatically shut off once the water level drops or they’re exposed to air when plugged in. Most heaters can break once this happens. They’re also resistant to corrosion in salt and freshwater tanks. Another smart investment for your fish tank is a thermometer. You’ll be able to get thermometers that stick to the outside glass of the tank, making it easier to watch the temperature at a glance.
The best place for the fish tank heater is close to the filter, that way the heated water may be distributed throughout the tank avoiding hot and cold spots around the tank. A heater is an important part of any fish tank ecosystem and keeping the aquarium water temperature at a constant level can allow your fish to live happy and disease-free for many years.
A minimum of 3-5 watts per gallon is recommended to keep aquarium water temperatures at the best level, so always get the correct size heater for your tank. If you want to heat twenty gallons of water, you should buy a fish tank heater of 200-300 watts. If you own a large tank, you must think about employing more than one heater. So, once planning your setup, take into account buying a decent and best fish tank heater.
