Pest Strategies

From small, basic fish tanks to large and elaborate aquarium setups, maintaining a stable, comfortable temperature is important to adequately support life inside of your aquarium. The best aquarium heater will help you do just that, and that’s why Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon to help you find the best one. Keep reading below to learn more about our top selections.

 

Buying Guide

If you’re looking for the best aquarium heater for your home, we have you covered. There are a variety of options on the market that serve a range of tank sizes, offering safety features such as automatic shut-off and conveniences like precision temperature control. Consider these buying factors before you make your decision. 

• Type: All aquarium heaters are designed to heat and maintain a stable water temperature inside a fish tank. However, there are a few different types available to you. 

• Submersible heaters: This is the most common type of aquarium heater and a solid go-to solution for most novice fish owners. They can be installed vertically or horizontally depending on your tank preferences, and work well for freshwater or saltwater aquariums of all sizes. They should be fully submerged in the water in order to work properly. 

• External heaters: Also known as “hang on” heaters, these aquarium heaters are installed on the outside of the aquarium, usually in a vertical position. Since they usually don’t distribute heat around the tank as well as submersible heaters, they’re best suited for smaller-sized tanks. 

• Substrate heaters: Using a cable containing a heating element that runs along the bottom of the tank, this aquarium heater works by heating the substrate, i.e. the sand, rock, and gravel. They are more advanced than other aquarium heaters, but also look great and won’t be an eyesore, as they’re easy to conceal. 

• Inline heaters: These aquarium heaters heat water directly from the tank’s filter. They’re efficient and safe, but typically require multiple components for installation. 

• Power: Aquarium heaters draw power measured in wattage. The higher the wattage, the more water it can heat. Generally speaking, you’ll want between 2.5 to five watts per gallon of water. 

• Size: The majority of aquarium heaters are fairly small and designed not to take away from the visual aesthetic of your fish tank. Make sure you know the dimensions of your tank and don’t get an aquarium heater that’s longer than the depth of your tank’s water level. 

• Stability (suction): Many aquarium heaters come with one or multiple suction cups that securely attach to the side of your glass or plastic tank. 

• Thermometer and temperature control: Built-in thermometers provide peace of mind as an aquarium owner, allowing you to view and monitor the water temperature with a quick glance. Water thermometers are also available separately, so your aquarium heater doesn’t necessarily need one. 

 

 

FAQs

• What are the benefits of using an aquarium heater? 

Having an aquarium at home can be as simple as putting a goldfish in a fishbowl, or maintaining a lush, aquatic oasis flourishing with tropical fish. If you’re seeking a more robust and advanced aquarium setup, here’s how the best aquarium heater will benefit you: 

• Keeping the fish comfortable: Like people, the fish inside of your tank simply want to be comfortable. The optimal temperature will ensure that your fish have consistent oxygen levels and stay happy and healthy inside of the tank. 

• Maintaining a stable water temperature: Environmental factors, such as where you live, what the local climate is like, and the weather based on the time of year, can all affect the ambient temperature around and inside of your fish tank — not to mention where the tank itself is placed inside of your home. A good aquarium heater will alleviate these worries, constantly maintaining the temperature to support your fish. 

• Keeping track of the temperature: A thermometer and temperature readout assures that your fish are enjoying a comfortable and optimal living space. Many aquarium heaters allow you to view the current temperature of the water inside of the tank with just a quick glance. 

• Do I need an aquarium heater if I don’t have any tropical fish? 

Not necessarily. Coldwater fish tend to prefer colder environments, or simply room-temperature water inside of the tank that hasn’t been heated. If you have a mix of tropical fish and coldwater fish, make sure to keep them in separate tanks, as they have very different needs. Here’s a brief list of some of the most common types of coldwater fish that don’t require an aquarium heater: 

• Barbs
• Bloodfin Tetras
• Goldfish
• White Cloud
• Zebra Danio

• Can I safely put the power cord of a submersible aquarium heater in the water of my tank? 

Although water and electricity don’t mix well — and this sounds counterintuitive — you can safely submerge the power cord inside of your fish tank, assuming that the aquarium heater is submersible and designed to get wet (most aquarium heaters are). Modern submersible aquarium heaters are specifically designed to be fully submerged in water, including the power cord. If your heater is a fully submersible model, we suggest completely submerging it within the tank, or at least going past the “minimum water level” mark. 

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.