How to Heat a Fish Aquarium

Heaters come in all shapes and sizes. They are easy to install and will ensure that the temperature in your aquarium stays constant. According to Aqua Daily (http://www.aquadaily.com), most fish will thrive in a temperature between 20 to 30 degrees C, with 24 degrees C being suitable for most common tropical fish. Most aquarium heaters are rated in watts. You will need 5 watts of heat per 1 gallon of water. It is important to select a heater that also has a thermostat. The thermostat will allow the heater to shut off if the water temperature gets too high and turn the heater on if the temperature falls below the selected setting.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium heater (5 watts per gallon)
  • Power source
  • Suction cups for mounting
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Instructions

  1. Installing Your Heater

    • 1

      Select the appropriate heater that will work for your tank. Ask your local fish store professional for help choosing a heater if needed. Most basic and affordable aquarium heaters are long, slender glass tubes with a heating element running down the middle of the unit. They have a radial dial on the top of the unit that is used to set the temperature. The power cord usually comes out the top of the unit and is plugged into your standard electrical outlet.

    • 2

      Install the suction cup mounts onto your heater. Once the suction cups are in place you are now ready to set the temperature of the heater. Rotate the dial on the top of the heater to the desired temperature. The numbers on the heater should line up with the indicator marker on the outer dial. After you have selected the temperature for your heater, you are now ready to install it into your aquarium. Place the heater in the back of your tank or in the aquarium sump. Avoid placing the heater in the actual tank itself. The heating element gets very hot and can hurt any animals that come into contact with the actual heater. When the unit is in place you are now ready to power it up.

    • 3

      Plug your heating unit into your power supply. Once it is plugged in the heater will turn on and the heating element will turn red. This unit will get very hot quickly, so make sure you do not touch the heater after it is powered on. If you need to adjust the placement of your heater make sure you unplug it and let it cool off before you adjust it. The heater will slowly raise the temperature in your aquarium.
      Place a thermometer in the main area of your aquarium to monitor the process. Make sure you clean your heater when you service your aquarium. Simply remove it from your tank and use a clean cloth to remove any algae or slime that might build up on the glass tube over time. Proper maintenance of your heater will ensure that your aqurium stays at a comfortable temperature for a very long time.