Freshwater Aquarium Temperature
Freshwater Aquarium Temperature Regulation through Heaters
Freshwater fish are native to warm and tropical waters, and this affinity to warm climate allows freshwater fishes to thrive in waters that has an average temperature of 74°F to 80°F. Unfortunately though, most enthusiasts of freshwater fish live in the colder regions of the world, which is why proper regulation of your freshwater aquarium temperature that can simulate the living conditions of these fishes is necessary, so that they can do all of the natural tasks that they need to do just like when they are living in their natural habitat. To do this, you would need the help of an aquarium heater.
Hang-on Heater
This type of heater usually comes inexpensively to some specialty shops out there, so they’re perfect for hobbyists who are in need of a heater on a budget. Hang-on heaters are hung over the back side of the aquarium, and are submerged, hence the name.
These heaters have a mechanical temperature adjuster, which you can easily set to achieve the desired aquarium temperature. To keep the temperature at a constant value, you would need to keep the water control above the water line. In case you don’t know where the water line is, don’t worry, as most hang-on heaters will indicate the water line depending on its position in the aquarium.
One bad thing about the hang-on heater is that they can somehow be eyesore to the aquarium, in a sense that it can quite gaudy when placed beside the underwater decorations. However if you’re still on the training part, or is on a budget and would not mind a few cracks on the aesthetic part of the aquarium, then this would be perfect for you.
Submersible Heater
As the name suggests, the submersible heater can be fully submerged into your aquarium due to the fact that the tube is completely sealed. They have a slim design which makes them easy to conceal in your aquarium compared with immersible heaters. Submersibles are a little more expensive than immersibles and range from $15 to $50 in price. The temperature gauge is usually mechanical and is easy to set at a desired temperature. These heaters are reliable and do an excellent job of maintaining a consistent temperature. If you are a hobbyist who prefers a very natural look in your tank, this is a popular, fairly inexpensive and effective heating option.
Filter Heater
These heaters are placed into your external filter and heat water as it flows through the filter. The benefit of this is that water is heated more evenly throughout your tank whereas this is not always possible with immersible and submersible heaters. Another advantage of the heater being located inside the filter is that your entire heating system is external making it a very attractive option for hobbyists trying to achieve a completely natural look in their aquarium. The temperature dial is usually mechanical and is very easy to set making it simple to maintain a consistent temperature. Filter heaters are generally more expensive than their counterparts and range anywhere from $30 – $60. If you have the budget, these heaters are a great option in terms of overall aquarium aesthetics and temperature control.
Once you have decided on the type of heater you want for your aquarium, the next step is to determine the correct size for your tank. The size of an aquarium heater is determined by total wattage. The higher the wattage of a heater, the bigger it is. Obviously a bigger tank required a bigger heater. The other factor to consider when determining heater size is the temperature of the room the aquarium is in. The greater the variance in average room temperature versus your desired tank temperature, the greater the heater size needs to be. Assuming that most households are typically 68 degrees Fahrenheit and most freshwater tanks are kept around 75 – 77 degrees, use the chart below to determine what size heater is right for your aquarium.
5 – 8 gallon tank – 25 watt heater
10 – 20 gallon tank – 50 watt heater
22 – 30 gallon tank – 75 watt heater
32 – 40 gallon tank – 100 watt heater
45 – 60 gallon tank – 150 watt heater
62 – 70 gallon tank – 150 watt heater
70+ gallon tank – 250 watt heater (additional heater units may be needed)
If your average room temperature is lower than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, consider moving up in heater size. If it is higher than 68, consider moving down in heater size.
Once your heater is installed, be sure to have a thermometer located on or in the tank so you can monitor the temperature and adjust the heater accordingly.
There are many different companies that manufacture aquarium heaters and most of the products are more than suitable for the home aquarium.
