How to Heat a One & a Half Gallon Fish Tank

Small fish tanks with less than five gallons of water, as a general rule, do not use electric heaters. These tanks are typically reserved for hardier fish such as goldfish. If necessary, however, there are several small heaters which can adequately warm the temperature of the water to match the needs of the fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable temperature submersible aquarium heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn on the hot water on your kitchen faucet and use it to warm the aquarium heater without plugging the unit in. Do this until the glass is slightly warmer than room temperature.

    • 2

      Set the dial on the heater to the desired temperature. Because the heater is thermostatically controlled, it will shut off when the surrounding water in the 1 and 1/2 gallon aquarium has reached the designated temperature.

    • 3

      Install the heater in the aquarium, preferably along the back glass, hidden behind any decorations or plants. Dry your hands thoroughly with a towel, then plug the unit into a wall socket to turn the power to the unit on. Add fish to the tank only after it has reached its designated temperature.